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The United Nations (UN) has partnered with Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe to witness substantial investment and the inaugural launch of the Goromonzi Community Development Project and the Public Welfare Experience at Vhuta Primary School in Goromonzi.
In his closing remarks, Sirak Gebrehiwot, the UN Partnerships, and Development Finance Advisor delivered on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Edward Kallon, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Zimbabwe and the Africa Desk UN Global Compact 13 December 2024 in Goromonzi, underscored the central role of the private sector in advancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG).
Gebrehiwot encouraged industries with substantial community and environmental impacts, like the mining sector to embrace ESG principles not only to support sustainable operations but strengthen their social license to operate within host communities.
He highlighted the importance of ESG Excellence as follows:
Environmental Stewardship: Mining activities leave a significant environmental footprint. Private companies must adopt sustainable methods that limit ecological harm. This involves responsible waste management, reducing carbon emissions, and protecting biodiversity.
Social Responsibility: Mining firms have substantial influence over local communities. They must invest in social initiatives that benefit these areas, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure development. Building trust and positive relationships with local populations is essential for sustained success.
Governance and Ethical Conduct: Companies should display transparency, accountability, and ethical operations. Robust governance structures aid in preventing corruption and ensuring adherence to both local and international regulations.
“Today we had the privilege of engaging with many stakeholders, the Zimbabwean government, Chinese envoys to Africa, traditional leaders, businesses, chambers of commerce, academic institutions, and the media. This gathering provided an excellent opportunity and a platform to witness the great initiative by the PLZ and share experiences on how other Chinese companies and private sector players can establish sustainable development relationships with communities and host countries through effective international development projects in Africa.
“The launch of Huayou Cobalt’s Zimbabwean subsidiary, Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, designed Goromonzi Community Development Project is a living testimony and best practice fully aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is also good to note that this initiative is rooted in the “Sino-Africa Sustainable Community Development Platform” by the UN Global Compact.
“As such, today, we celebrate the launch of several community projects: “Health to Success” – Community Health Enhancement Project, “Skill to Success” – Youth Vocational Project, “Weaving the Future” – Women Empowerment Project, and “Energy Equity to Success” – Community Electricity Equity Project, each aiming to improve local livelihoods and bolster Zimbabwe’s journey towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Goals,” Gebrehiwot said.
These community projects also align with the principles of the UN Global Compact (UNGC), the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative involving over 20,000 businesses across 160 countries and 62 Country Networks, established 24 years ago. Global Compact urges businesses to align their strategies and operations with its Ten Principles, spanning four key areas:
Human Rights: Businesses should uphold the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights and ensure they are not complicit in abuses.
Labor Rights: They should support freedom of association, the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, and eliminate forced and child labor.
Environment: Companies are encouraged to engage in initiatives promoting greater environmental responsibility and the development of eco-friendly technologies.
Anti-Corruption: Businesses should combat corruption in all forms, including extortion and bribery.
The Global Compact offers its participant companies platforms to learn, share experiences, network, act, communicate on progress, and showcase achievements. Businesses from all sectors, excluding tobacco, are invited to join.
In Africa, over 1,000 businesses from 45 countries participate, guided by ten Country Networks in locations like the DRC, Egypt, Ghana, and others, coordinated by the Africa Hub in Abuja, Nigeria.
“Although the Global Compact is not yet established in Zimbabwe, 22 active participants exist. We encourage all companies in Zimbabwe to join the Global Compact to leverage its online Academy, Engage in Accelerators for business sustainability, and other global and regional resources. The Africa Hub in collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator Office in Zimbabwe will soon mobilize the private sector towards sustainable development,” the development expert added.
The event reflected the engagement of Chinese companies and stakeholders in driving sustainable business practices that benefit both producers and impacted communities.
The UN Resident Coordinator’s Office facilitates the operational strategies of 25 UN entities in Zimbabwe under the 2022-2026 Zimbabwe UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, covering four pillars: People, Planet, Prosperity, and Planet, aspiring for a US$2.8 billion investment over the five years. At the recent Midterm Review conducted with the government and partners, US$1.2 billion has been implemented thus far.
In Zimbabwe, the UN System aims to work closely with Chinese companies and private sector stakeholders in general for synergy in shared developmental goals. What benefits people and communities ultimately benefits business.
“We hope to soon establish a local Chapter of the Global Compact in Zimbabwe, uniting the private sector under a shared commitment to the outlined principles. Establishing this local chapter represents a significant step towards fostering ESG collaborations within the private sector, enhancing competitiveness, and contributing vital support to the host communities’ sustainable development. By adhering to the UN Global Compact’s principles, mining companies can lead by example, paving the way for sustainable progress across industries. Congratulations on this significant milestone with the launch of the Goromonzi Community Development Project and Public Welfare Experience,” Gebrehiwot added.
The UN System in Zimbabwe, under the leadership of His Excellency Edward Kallon, is eager to build and strengthen partnerships to ensure the success of the community projects launched today. We aim to create synergy between private sector investments and ESG initiatives with the UN’s Sustainable Development and Humanitarian programmes in Zimbabwe.
This collaboration is important in supporting Zimbabwe’s journey to becoming an upper-middle-income society by 2030 and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union Agenda 2063.
Present at the launch were His Excellency Mr. Ding Zhou, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe; Haijun Zhu, General Manager of Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe; Jicheng Lyu, Senior ESG manager of Huayou Cobalt; representatives from project partners Yifei Zhang, Secretary-General of the Fosun Foundation; Wei Guan, General Manager of Hithium (Shenzhen); Yangyou Qiu, CEO of Jack Technology; and Yang Han, Secretary-General of the Boke Foundation.
Other expert panelists were Prof. Ian Scoones from the Institute of Development Studies (IDS); Dr Mukaro; and Professor Mugari from the University of Zimbabwe.
