Zimbabwe is committed to reducing carbon emissions from the aviation sector in line with the Long-Term Global Aspirational Goal (LTAG), Hon Minister Felix Tapiwa Mhona has said.
The Minister made these remarks while addressing the 42nd Session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal, Canada, yesterday.
He highlighted that Zimbabwe is actively participating in and making concerted efforts towards reducing carbon emissions in the aviation sector.
“The country has submitted a State Action Plan (SAP) aimed at carbon emission reduction and is actively participating in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). Additionally, Zimbabwe is a recipient of the ICAO Assistance, Capacity-Building, and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels Programme (ACT-SAF),” he said.
According to the Minister, Zimbabwe, under the new dispensation, is committed to upgrading infrastructure within the transport ministry to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
“Under the wise leadership of our President His Excellency Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe adopted the Vision 2030 towards attaining an Upper Middle-Income Economy and the National Development Strategies 1 and 2 (NDS1 and NDS2) as a blueprint for its economic development.
“This national blueprint, prioritizes and accelerates the completion of infrastructural projects with a substantial investment having been channeled towards the rehabilitation and upgrading of international airports, improving airspace management, and enhancing safety and security.
“These infrastructure projects are key in the full implementation of the Open Skies Policy in line with the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD), paving the way for the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). As a result, Zimbabwe’s aviation sector has shown positive growth with new airlines coming on board as well an increase in frequencies by some existing ones,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s participation in the global aviation sector plays a critical role in the country’s re-engagement efforts.
He concluded by commending the engagement and re-engagement efforts that enabled the successful hosting of the Africa-Indian Ocean Week in Victoria Falls.
“Mr. President, Zimbabwe sees aviation as a building block which dovetails to its foreign policy of engagement and re-engagement. In the same spirit, Zimbabwe successfully hosted the Tenth Edition of the ICAO Africa-Indian Ocean (AFI) Aviation Week, which was held in the majestic resort town of Victoria Falls in May this year. I wish to acknowledge with great appreciation the participation and support from the ICAO Council President, Mr. . Salvatore Sciacchitano and Secretary General, Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar, which made the event a huge success,” said Hon Mhona.
192 countries are attending the 42nd Session of the ICAO Assembly underway in Montréal, a powerful demonstration of global unity in advancing the future of international civil aviation.
With ICAO’s support, Member States are building a safer, more sustainable, and more connected world.
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Story by Jeremiah Gora