Zimbabwe has renewed calls for urgent reforms of the United Nations system, including the Security Council and international financial institutions, saying the changes are essential to building a more inclusive, representative and equitable global order.
Speaking during the 63rd Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs Vimbai Nyemba, said global governance institutions must evolve to reflect the realities and interests of all nations.
Nyemba said Zimbabwe welcomed the report by the Independent Expert, stressing that multilateralism remained critical at a time when the international community was grappling with growing geopolitical tensions and multiple global challenges.
She said multilateral diplomacy continued to provide an important platform through which countries could engage, resolve differences and collectively respond to emerging challenges.
“Zimbabwe advocates for a more inclusive and balanced approach to multilateral governance. We believe that multilateral diplomacy remains viable even amid geopolitical complexities,” she said.
Nyemba said the credibility and legitimacy of the United Nations depended largely on its ability to remain relevant, responsive and representative of the broader international community.
She called for the acceleration of reforms that have remained outstanding for years, particularly changes to the composition and functioning of the UN Security Council and international financial institutions.
“Zimbabwe calls for the acceleration of long delayed institutional reforms including the reform of the Security Council and international financial institutions,” Nyemba said.
She said such reforms should strengthen the capacity of the UN to facilitate meaningful dialogue across geopolitical divides while ensuring that human rights remained central to its mandate.
Zimbabwe also reiterated its opposition to unilateral coercive measures imposed on the country and other states, calling for their unconditional removal.
Nyemba said sanctions continued to undermine efforts by affected countries to pursue sustainable development and establish fairer economic systems.
Zimbabwe has consistently maintained that sanctions have negatively affected its economic development and the welfare of ordinary citizens, while similarly sanctioned countries such as Cuba and Iran have also raised concerns over the humanitarian and economic consequences of restrictive measures.
The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to promoting a democratic, just and equitable international order anchored on cooperation, the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.
The renewed call comes as Zimbabwe intensifies its engagement in multilateral forums to push for greater representation of developing countries in global decision-making institutions.
Harare argues that meaningful reform of global governance structures would help address longstanding inequalities in international political and economic relations while giving developing countries a stronger voice in decisions affecting their economies and citizens.
