Urban spaces are engines of growth: VP Chiwenga

Source: Urban spaces are engines of growth: VP Chiwenga – herald

Zvamaida Murwira in BAKU, Azerbaijan

ZIMBABWE is committed to building smart and resilient urban areas that provide opportunities for everyone, while acting as engines for economic development and sustainable growth, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said.

The Vice President, who is representing President Mnangagwa, was in Azerbaijan addressing the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum.

The forum, being attended by world leaders, urban planners, researchers, developers, local authorities, and civic organisations, is running under the theme: “Housing the World, safe and resilient cities and communities.”

“Allow me to reiterate Zimbabwe’s commitment towards building smart, resilient and inclusive cities that uphold dignity and opportunity for all, and act as engines for sustainable growth. Together, we can fulfil the promise of a hopeful future for our people and generations to come,” said VP  Chiwenga.

“Zimbabwe emphasises transforming urban spaces into engines of economic growth, innovation and social inclusion, with the expectation that the summit will deliver practical strategies to turn urbanisation into a driver of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” said VP Chiwenga.

He challenged the private sector to play its part in housing delivery, saying the Government could not do it alone owing to several competing priorities.

“Zimbabwe is aware that Government alone cannot meet the housing demand due to competing priorities and limited resources, and therefore highlights the role of the private sector in financing construction and innovation through public-private partnerships to accelerate housing delivery and infrastructure development,” said VP Chiwenga.

Zimbabwe remained committed to providing sustainable housing to its people.

“The participation of Heads of State and Government at this 13th World Urban Forum, including Zimbabwe, where I was delegated by President Mnangagwa, demonstrates the elevation and prioritisation of the global discourse on sustainable urban development,” he said.

VP Chiwenga commended Azerbaijan and Egypt for successfully hosting the present and previous forums while hailing the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) for transforming the World Urban Forum into an apex global conference focused on how cities should be planned, built, and managed for sustainable urban development worldwide.

VP Chiwenga is accompanied by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe, Housing and Social Amenities Minister Professor Paul Mavima, his deputy Musa Ncube, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Engineer Amos Marawa, and other senior Government officials.