By Caroline Washaya-Moyo
Zimbabwe has reaffirmed its climate commitments on the global stage, with Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Honourable Barbara Rwodzi representing the country at a high-level Climate Summit convened by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in New York.
The summit, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, brought the climate agenda into sharp focus as Zimbabwe outlined measures it is pursuing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen climate resilience and ensure that climate action contributes to economic development.
Minister Rwodzi reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and the country’s Third Generation Nationally Determined Contribution, which targets a 40 percent per-capita reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.
She said Zimbabwe’s climate response is anchored in the National Development Agenda and is being integrated across key economic and social sectors, including agriculture, water, infrastructure and tourism.
Her intervention also highlighted the growing importance of tourism in the climate resilience debate, given the sector’s dependence on healthy ecosystems, biodiversity and climate-resilient destinations.
Minister Rwodzi said climate action must therefore protect the natural and cultural resources that support tourism while creating economic opportunities for communities.
Zimbabwe’s approach extends beyond emissions reduction, with the country implementing measures aimed at strengthening resilience and sustaining livelihoods.
In agriculture, Climate-Smart Agriculture and climate-proofing initiatives, including Pfumvudza/Intwasa, are being used to strengthen resilience and support food security amid increasing climate pressures.
The Minister also highlighted progress in mineral value addition, pointing to developments in local lithium processing as part of Zimbabwe’s strategy to derive greater economic value from its natural resources.
More than 16 000 tonnes of lithium sulphate, valued at close to US$100 million, have been produced through local processing, according to figures presented by the Minister.
Minister Rwodzi stressed that climate action must produce tangible economic benefits, including jobs, improved livelihoods and greater opportunities for communities.
This positions climate action within Zimbabwe’s broader development agenda, linking environmental sustainability with economic growth, productive investment and social outcomes.
For the tourism sector, the connection is particularly important as climate change poses risks to the ecosystems, wildlife, water resources and landscapes that underpin destination competitiveness.
Zimbabwe is also preparing to host the first-ever meeting of all UN Tourism Member States for the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism 2027.
The meeting is expected to advance international dialogue on how tourism destinations can become more sustainable and resilient while continuing to support economic development and community livelihoods.
Zimbabwe’s participation in the New York Climate Summit therefore provides an international platform for the country to present its climate commitments while positioning tourism within the wider global effort to build resilient economies and sustainable development pathways.
The engagement further places Zimbabwe’s tourism agenda within an increasingly important international conversation, where climate resilience, environmental protection and economic development are being considered as interconnected priorities.
