Zimbabwe Showcases Resilience and SDG Progress Amid Sanctions at UN Forum

Zimbabwe has demonstrated remarkable progress in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), despite the burden of enduring illegal economic sanctions. This was affirmed by Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo during the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, held in New York from July 9 to 18, 2025.

Speaking before more than 3,000 global leaders, ministers, UN officials, and civil society delegates, Minister Moyo highlighted how Zimbabwe continues to implement transformative policies aimed at reducing poverty, enhancing healthcare, expanding access to education, and promoting decent work and economic inclusion. The 2025 edition of the HLPF was held under the theme, “UN at 80: Catalysing Change for Sustainable Development.”

Minister Moyo praised Zimbabwe’s tenacity in pursuing development under economic adversity, stating, “Despite the harsh sanctions imposed on our nation, Zimbabwe continues to advance critical social and economic programmes that uplift our people.” He pointed to successes in health, education, gender empowerment, and youth entrepreneurship as evidence of the country’s dedication to sustainable progress.

He emphasized the implementation of Zimbabwe’s National Health Strategy, which focuses on providing quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare services, including mental health support, especially in remote communities. The Minister noted that increased domestic investment in health infrastructure and services has allowed the country to reach underserved populations.

Education and youth empowerment were also spotlighted as priority areas. Through vocational and entrepreneurial training programmes targeting women and young people, Zimbabwe is working to create opportunities in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). These initiatives, Minister Moyo said, are aligned with the national Vision 2030 agenda—to transition Zimbabwe into an Upper Middle-Income Economy within the next five years.

“Guided by our development strategies, we continue to empower communities through inclusive policies that promote decent work, gender equality, and improved livelihoods,” he said.

Minister Moyo also issued a strong call for the reform of the global financial architecture to enable developing countries to access resources and support that are essential for achieving the SDGs. He further urged the international community to lift unilateral sanctions, describing them as a major impediment to sustainable development.

He reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s full commitment to the 2030 Agenda, saying, “Zimbabwe remains steadfast in its commitment to achieve the SDGs and stands ready to join global efforts to deliver sustainable development for present and future generations.”

In recent years, the Zimbabwean Government has scaled up its investments in social protection, health access, and labour sector reforms—resulting in improved indicators across multiple SDG targets. As global leaders reflect on 80 years of the United Nations and seek to catalyse meaningful change, Zimbabwe’s message was clear: resilience, policy innovation, and global solidarity are key to building a sustainable future, even in the face of adversity.