Statement by Ambassador Albert R. Chimbindi, Rwanda
Ambassador Albert R. Chimbindi, Co-chair and Head of Delegation of the Republic of Zimbabwe;
H.E Charity Manyeruke, Ambassador of Zimbabwe to Rwanda;
Distinguished Government Officials from Zimbabwe and Rwanda.
Please allow me to express my sincere appreciation for the kind hospitality and excellent arrangements extended to our delegation in this beautiful city of Harare.
I also take this opportunity to express our solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe during this challenging period of severe drought caused by the El Niño effects. Our thoughts are with you in these difficult times. As climate change worsens globally and particularly in Southern Africa, urgent actions on the climate emergency are imperative.
As implementers, we are duty-bound to translate the wishes and aspirations of our leaders into practicable solutions. His Excellency President Paul Kagame and His Excellency President Dambudzo Mnangagwa have set clear goals for us to achieve without failure.
The Midterm Review Meeting of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation is a significant milestone in our continued efforts to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between our two great nations, Rwanda and Zimbabwe. I extend my gratitude to all delegates and members of our Joint Commission for their unwavering commitment to fostering cooperation between our countries. Through your collective efforts, we have achieved commendable progress in various fields of collaboration.
Today, as we review our achievements and challenges, I am pleased to report that our joint endeavors have yielded remarkable results in various key sectors. For example, in the political and diplomatic sector, our relations have grown to a remarkable level, with both countries supporting each other in regional, continental, and international matters of common interest.
In the education sector, more than 150 educational personnel from Zimbabwe have been in Rwanda reinforcing our teaching workforce for almost two years now. We have also recorded remarkable achievements in the defense and security sector, with exchanges and training of senior and junior officers in the army and correctional services.
In the energy sector, Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and ZESA completed the pilot street lighting project in Harare and finalized the access masterplan advisory services, with many other projects in the pipeline. Lastly, in the trade and investment sector, both countries have been hosting business forums on a rotating basis. The recent one took place in Rwanda in March 2024, and several businesses are being established in both countries as a result of the excellent cooperation between our sister nations.
I believe that our meeting over the next two days will deliberate and finalize the timelines for the outstanding Memoranda of Understanding and draft implementation plans, and consider many aspects of our cooperation profoundly. Both our sister nations are common members of several regional, continental, and international organizations such as COMESA, the African Union (AU), and the United Nations (UN). We must use the JPCC as a stepping stone to further collaborate at the regional and global levels.
As I conclude, I am confident that with our collective determination, dedication, and spirit of collaboration, we will continue to strengthen the bond between our nations and create a better future for our people. Let us seize this opportunity to recommit ourselves to the principles of cooperation and mutual respect, as we strive to achieve even greater heights in the years to come.
I eagerly look forward to the productive discussions and outcomes of this meeting.
Long live the cooperation between Rwanda and Zimbabwe!
Positive Eye News
