By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
NEW YORK — Zimbabwe is taking its commitment to sustainable and climate-resilient tourism to the global stage, highlighting the vital connection between climate action, healthy ecosystems, thriving communities and the future of travel.
Representing Zimbabwe at the Climate Summit convened by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon Barbara Rwodzi reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and its Third Generation Nationally Determined Contribution.
At the heart of Zimbabwe’s climate commitment is a target to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 40 percent per capita by 2035, as part of the country’s broader national development agenda for sustainable economic growth and climate resilience.
For Zimbabwe’s tourism industry, the message is particularly significant. The country’s tourism appeal is built on its extraordinary landscapes, wildlife, biodiversity, cultural heritage and natural resources — assets that depend on healthy and resilient ecosystems.
From the mighty Victoria Falls and the wildlife-rich Hwange National Park to the Eastern Highlands, Great Zimbabwe and the country’s diverse rural and cultural landscapes, tourism is intrinsically connected to the environment.
Tourism and Climate Resilience Go Hand in Hand
Minister Rwodzi emphasised that tourism cannot be separated from climate action because the industry’s destinations and experiences depend on functioning ecosystems and biodiversity.
Climate-resilient tourism therefore goes beyond protecting attractions.
It also means strengthening the communities, infrastructure, agriculture and water systems that support tourism destinations and the people who live in them.
Zimbabwe’s approach places climate action within a wider development framework encompassing Agriculture, Water, Infrastructure and Tourism.
The objective is not simply to respond to climate change, but to ensure that climate action creates economic opportunities, supports livelihoods and strengthens national resilience.
This perspective is particularly relevant for destinations where communities and tourism businesses depend directly on natural resources.
From Climate-Smart Agriculture to Tourism
Zimbabwe’s climate agenda is already being reflected in initiatives designed to strengthen resilience in other sectors.
Climate-smart agriculture and agricultural climate-proofing programmes, including Pfumvudza/Intwasa, are helping communities adapt to changing climatic conditions while supporting food security.
For tourism, stronger agricultural resilience can have wider benefits. Reliable food production can support hospitality businesses, local supply chains and tourism communities while creating opportunities for visitors to experience Zimbabwean agriculture, cuisine and rural livelihoods.
The country’s climate action agenda is also being linked to mineral value addition. Local lithium processing has reportedly produced more than 16,000 tonnes of lithium sulphate, valued at close to US$100 million.
The broader message from Zimbabwe is that climate action should not be viewed solely as an environmental obligation. It can also be a platform for investment, value creation, employment and improved livelihoods.
A Sustainable Tourism Future
Zimbabwe’s participation in the Climate Summit comes at an important moment for the country’s tourism sector.
The country is preparing to host the first-ever meeting of all UN Tourism Member States for the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism 2027, providing an opportunity to place Zimbabwe at the centre of international discussions about the future of sustainable travel.
The initiative creates a platform for countries to examine how tourism can become more resilient while continuing to generate economic opportunities for communities and destinations.
For Zimbabwe, that conversation carries a distinctly local character: protecting the natural and cultural heritage that makes the country unique while ensuring that tourism contributes meaningfully to national development.
Experiencing a Resilient Zimbabwe
Sustainability is increasingly becoming part of the tourism experience itself.
Visitors to Zimbabwe encounter landscapes where conservation, communities, culture and tourism intersect.
They can explore iconic wildlife destinations, discover ancient heritage sites, experience local traditions and engage with communities whose livelihoods are connected to the country’s natural resources.
The challenge — and opportunity — is to ensure these experiences remain viable for future generations.
Zimbabwe’s climate agenda therefore adds another dimension to the country’s tourism story. Experience Zimbabwe is not only about seeing extraordinary places; it is also about understanding the heritage, people and natural systems that sustain them.
As Zimbabwe looks toward 2027 and beyond, the country’s message is increasingly clear: a resilient tourism industry depends on a resilient environment and resilient communities.
Protecting that legacy is not simply about preserving what Zimbabwe has today. It is about ensuring that the country’s extraordinary natural and cultural heritage continues to create experiences, opportunities and livelihoods for generations to come.
#ClimateSummit #ExperienceZimbabwe #NhakaYedu #IlifaLethu #OurHeritage #ThisIsUs #ZimBho
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