Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, underscored the importance of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28), as it creates qualitative opportunities for the countries of the world and Zimbabwe to exchange experiences and expertise in addressing climate change.
In his statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of COP28 being held at Expo City Dubai, President Mnangagwa said that the issue of food security is a top priority in Zimbabwe, as it is an agricultural country, which requires it to take effective measures to ensure the protection of agricultural crops and food security, which depends on the percentage of rainfall in the region.
He stressed that the effects of climate change pose an obstacle due to the emergence of droughts, explaining that Zimbabwe occasionally faces some droughts, which in turn affect agricultural production.
‘We have begun to take initial steps to ensure the retention of rainwater in dams, as Zimbabwe curren
tly includes water bodies that ensure the continuation of irrigation, which enhances its food security,’ he added.
The President of Zimbabwe emphasised the need to follow up on the issue of food security, as well as the need to take decisive steps in tackling the issues of water, which requires the establishment of several models of water bodies in the country.
He stated, “In every district, we were building dams to get water, but we sometimes face challenges due to climate change, by getting an insufficient amount of rainwater. Additionally, we annually obtain the amount of grain we need to feed the nation due to irrigation, so we continued to build many dams to ensure food production in light of the climate change we are witnessing.”
The President of Zimbabwe said that his country’s participation in COP28 aims to exchange experiences regarding the agricultural sector and food security, as it is a fundamental sector in Zimbabwe and African countries as a whole.
‘I believe that the majority of African lea
ders are determined to be independent in terms of food security for their countries, and they will participate so that those countries that have a greater capacity to produce food can do so and support those countries whose conditions do not allow them to meet food security,’ he concluded.
Source: Emirates News Agency
