Zimbabwe’s Water and Sanitation Drive Earns Global Praise in Madrid

Zimbabwe’s ongoing efforts to expand access to clean water and improve sanitation have attracted international recognition at this year’s Sector Ministers’ Meeting (SMM), where global leaders convened to discuss climate resilience and sustainable water management.

Representing Zimbabwe, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Honourable Davis Marapira, highlighted the nation’s strides in improving water availability through dam construction, borehole drilling, and the establishment of village business units. He said these initiatives, championed under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership, have transformed lives in rural and vulnerable communities.

“A key example is the Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme, which has changed the lives of many rural and vulnerable communities. Fellow government officials here in Madrid commended such interventions, and we believe the engagements will further strengthen Zimbabwe’s ongoing programmes to enhance water and sanitation,” said Marapira.

The meeting, attended by ministers from Nigeria, Uganda, Croatia, and Brazil, also spotlighted the impact of climate change on water security. Delegates applauded Zimbabwe’s model as an example of practical, community-driven intervention.

Former President of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet, and UNICEF’s Director for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Dr. Cecilia Sharp, underscored the importance of integrated water and sanitation systems as a cornerstone for global poverty reduction.

“Integration is not just a slogan but a way of working. Our commitment to human rights only gains coherence when we act in an integrated way,” said Dr. Bachelet.

Dr. Sharp added, “When disasters occur, vulnerable groups suffer the most. Sustainable solutions must be driven by government-led policies anchored in national frameworks.”

The plenary concluded that integration across water, sanitation, hygiene, and climate resilience is both a practical and political priority, requiring strong policy frameworks and long-term investment to ensure sustainability.

Zimbabwe’s participation at the SMM underscores its growing role in global discussions on climate adaptation and sustainable development.