By Dickson Bandera
Zimbabwe and Belarus have taken bold steps to deepen their bilateral relations, following a successful Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the First Session of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC), held in Harare from April 14 to 16, 2025.
At the heart of the engagements were Honourable Prof. Dr. Amon Murwira, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and Honourable Maxim Ryzhenkov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus, Honourable Victor Karankevich is also in Zimbabwe as Guest of Honour, underscoring the importance attached to the programme.
Over three days of high-level dialogue, government officials, academics, and business leaders from both countries came together to review progress on ongoing agreements and explore new areas for collaboration. The atmosphere was one of mutual respect and shared vision for growth.
Key sectors under review included agriculture, education, industry, mining, health, and disaster management. Particular focus was placed on agriculture, with the Second Sitting of the Joint Working Group in the sector evaluating progress and setting fresh targets for cooperation.
The Zimbabwean delegation expressed heartfelt gratitude to Belarus for its timely humanitarian aid in response to the devastating El Niño-induced drought. This gesture, made following a direct appeal by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, was hailed as a testament to the deepening friendship between the two nations.
Both sides celebrated the entry into force of the 2023 Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation—a move expected to ease business between the two countries. They also urged swift action on pending agreements, including one on visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and service passports, to facilitate smoother diplomatic engagement.
Discussions extended beyond bilateral issues, as both Zimbabwe and Belarus spoke out against the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed by Western nations. The two countries noted that these measures not only hamper national development efforts but also disrupt global trade, particularly in sectors reliant on key commodities like potash and agricultural inputs.
They emphasized the need to work together—and with other like-minded nations—to develop alternative economic pathways, enhance trade diversification, and advocate for a fairer, more inclusive global financial system.
In a show of diplomatic solidarity, Belarus endorsed Zimbabwe’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term—underscoring the growing support for Zimbabwe’s re-engagement with the global community.
The session concluded with both parties affirming their satisfaction with the progress made and reaffirming their commitment to regular engagements under the JPCC framework. It was also announced that Belarus will host the Second Session of the Commission in 2026 to continue advancing shared development goals.
Honourable Ryzhenkov, in his closing remarks, thanked the Government of Zimbabwe for the warm hospitality extended to his delegation, describing the MTR as a milestone in the two countries’ journey toward deeper cooperation and mutual growth.
