President Emmerson Mnangagwa says African countries will present a united voice at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly as the continent pushes for greater attention to shared development priorities and issues affecting its people.
President Mnangagwa made the remarks after meeting United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in New York on Monday evening, ahead of the opening of the high-level General Debate on Tuesday.
The meeting was part of the President’s engagements in New York, where world leaders and delegations are gathering to deliberate on major global challenges.
President Mnangagwa also signed the official United Nations Guest Book.
Speaking after his meeting with the UN Secretary-General, President Mnangagwa said African countries were united around common interests and would ensure the continent’s voice was heard at the global forum.
“Well, it’s not actually anything that will be individual to Zimbabwe. The issues are collective. We in Southern Africa, or rather the African voice, is that we need to be heard, we need to be understood, we need to be listened to,” he said.
The President said African countries were participating in the General Assembly as sovereign nations while pursuing shared priorities.
“We are solid in that we are united. We come here with our heads up as sovereign nations. Taking Africa forward? Correct. Africa rises, and we are rising with Africa,” he said.
The high-level General Debate is being held under the theme “Restoring Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity”, with member states expected to discuss global challenges against a backdrop of political, social and economic fragmentation.
The theme places renewed emphasis on multilateral cooperation and efforts to strengthen international solidarity in addressing common challenges.
President Mnangagwa is also expected to hold several bilateral meetings during the General Assembly week, alongside engagements involving world leaders and delegations on the sidelines of the high-level debate.
The UN General Assembly remains an important platform for African countries to advance common positions on development, peace and security, as well as reforms to the multilateral system.
