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22nd Africa-Nordic Foreign Ministers' meeting opens in Victoria Falls
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The 22nd Africa–Nordic Foreign Ministers' Meeting was officially opened in Victoria Falls on Thursday, with strong calls for deepened cooperation in trade, innovation, sustainability, and multilateral engagement between Africa and the Nordic region.
The announcement was made via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's official X (formerly Twitter) account.
In his opening remarks, Zimbabwe's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Prof. Dr. Amon Murwira, emphasized the timeliness of the dialogue, noting Africa's accelerating journey toward industrialization, digital transformation, and green growth.
"This is a unique opportunity to align Africa's youthful dynamism and vast resources with Nordic expertise in technology, green solutions, and innovation ecosystems," the ministry posted.
"Diplomacy must serve human well-being," Prof. Murwira said. "We engage to produce - to produce food, to produce transport, to make life livable and better for our people."
He also highlighted that trade between Africa and the Nordic region has nearly doubled over the past five years, and praised the historic solidarity shown by Nordic countries during Zimbabwe's liberation struggle.
Representing the Nordic region, Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide, commended Zimbabwe's hospitality and recalled the deep bonds forged during Africa's liberation movements.
He stressed the importance of shifting "from aid to trade," unlocking opportunities in clean energy, value-added industries, and modern innovation.
"The United Nations is ours to protect," Eide declared. "At a time when multilateralism is under pressure, Africans and Nordics must stand together to defend equality, sovereignty, and cooperation."
Eide also identified Africa's high cost of capital as a key barrier to industrial development and called for joint efforts to de-risk investments and improve access to financing.
Both parties reaffirmed that the Africa–Nordic partnership is not only historic but also future-oriented, aiming to deliver concrete outcomes that promote inclusive growth, resilient trade, and shared prosperity.
The announcement was made via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's official X (formerly Twitter) account.
In his opening remarks, Zimbabwe's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Prof. Dr. Amon Murwira, emphasized the timeliness of the dialogue, noting Africa's accelerating journey toward industrialization, digital transformation, and green growth.
"This is a unique opportunity to align Africa's youthful dynamism and vast resources with Nordic expertise in technology, green solutions, and innovation ecosystems," the ministry posted.
"Diplomacy must serve human well-being," Prof. Murwira said. "We engage to produce - to produce food, to produce transport, to make life livable and better for our people."
Representing the Nordic region, Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide, commended Zimbabwe's hospitality and recalled the deep bonds forged during Africa's liberation movements.
He stressed the importance of shifting "from aid to trade," unlocking opportunities in clean energy, value-added industries, and modern innovation.
"The United Nations is ours to protect," Eide declared. "At a time when multilateralism is under pressure, Africans and Nordics must stand together to defend equality, sovereignty, and cooperation."
Eide also identified Africa's high cost of capital as a key barrier to industrial development and called for joint efforts to de-risk investments and improve access to financing.
Both parties reaffirmed that the Africa–Nordic partnership is not only historic but also future-oriented, aiming to deliver concrete outcomes that promote inclusive growth, resilient trade, and shared prosperity.
Source - Byo24News
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