ZIMBABWE REAFFIRMS GLOBAL AVIATION GOALS AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AT ICAO ASSEMBLY

The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon. Adv Felix T. Mhona (MP), has confidently reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s strong commitment to global aviation goals, sustainable growth, and enhanced regional cooperation during his address to the 42nd Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada.

Minister Mhona underscored that Zimbabwe’s current aviation growth trajectory is firmly anchored on the vision and leadership of H.E the President Cde Dr E. D. Mnangagwa, who has consistently championed the modernization of the aviation industry and the broader transport sector. This political backing, the Minister highlighted, is the driving force behind the country’s ambitious development agenda.

In line with global environmental imperatives, Minister Mhona reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s dedication to sustainability, aligning with ICAO’s Long-Term Global Aspirational Goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The country has demonstrated this commitment by submitting its State Action Plan (SAP) on carbon emissions reduction, actively participating in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), and benefiting from ICAO’s targeted training and support programs on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF).

The Minister reported that significant investment is being channelled into the aviation sector as a cornerstone of the country’s National Development Strategies. Key infrastructural milestones cited include the ongoing upgrade and expansion of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, which will vastly increase passenger capacity. Furthermore, the recent rehabilitation of the Grand Reef aerodrome has enabled the resuscitation of flights to Mutare in the Eastern Highlands, significantly boosting regional connectivity and tourism. These investments are complemented by efforts to modernize airspace management and enhance aviation safety and security protocols.

These developments, the Minister noted, are crucial for implementing the Open Skies Policy under the Yamoussoukro Decision and advancing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), in full alignment with the African Agenda 2063.

Highlighting the nation’s policy of “engagement and re-engagement,” the Minister pointed to Zimbabwe’s growing role in regional aviation affairs, citing the successful hosting of the 10th ICAO Africa-Indian Ocean (AFI) Aviation Week in Victoria Falls earlier this year. The high-profile event, attended by ICAO leaders and Ministers from across the continent, underscored Zimbabwe’s leadership and commitment to fostering a safe, secure, and sustainable future for African skies.