Zimbabwe has achieved a major diplomatic breakthrough after being elected to the UNESCO Executive Board during the 43rd General Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The victory positions the country to play a central role in shaping global policy on education, science, culture, and heritage preservation for the next four years.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to UNESCO, Sekai Nzenza, confirmed the country’s resounding success, finishing second in the global vote behind Malaysia and tying with Luxembourg as the highest-ranked African nation. “I am most grateful to the many countries that supported us,” Nzenza said, pledging to advance international cooperation while safeguarding Zimbabwe’s rich cultural legacy.
This new position allows Zimbabwe to amplify efforts to protect its five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Victoria Falls and the Great Zimbabwe Monuments, while championing cultural diplomacy and education reform across Africa.
The achievement reflects growing global recognition of Zimbabwe’s cultural and educational contributions, aligning with the government’s foreign policy of engagement and re-engagement. At the conference, Zimbabwe also renewed calls for the repatriation of looted cultural artefacts and ancestral remains taken during colonial rule.
Nicholas Moyo, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, emphasized that retrieving artefacts like the Zimbabwe Bird is vital to restoring national pride and historical identity. “These objects are part of our spirit and heritage. Their return will allow the souls of our ancestors to rest in peace,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s election to UNESCO’s top decision-making body marks a historic step in reinforcing its global voice on heritage preservation, cultural restitution, and inclusive education.
Leave a comment