Zimbabwe Wraps Up Historic Pacific Diplomatic Tour to Rally Support for UN Security Council Bid
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Amon Murwira, has concluded a high-level diplomatic tour of the Pacific region, with Fiji marking the final stop in a mission aimed at securing support for Zimbabwe’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Professor Murwira undertook the outreach in his capacity as Special Envoy of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, delivering a special message from the Head of State to Pacific leaders ahead of the 3 June 2026 UN General Assembly vote. The tour also included visits to Tonga and the Solomon Islands.
The Pacific mission was inspired by President Mnangagwa’s foreign policy doctrine of “leaving no one and no place behind”, a principle that has increasingly shaped Zimbabwe’s engagement under the Second Republic.
Speaking after meeting Fiji’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Lenora Qereqeretabua, Professor Murwira said the visit demonstrated Zimbabwe’s respect for the sovereign equality of nations.
“We are 193 member states of the United Nations. There is no small or big state,” he said. “By coming to the Pacific, Zimbabwe is living the principle that every nation matters and every voice counts.”
At Fiji’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Professor Murwira formally presented his letter of appointment as Special Envoy and conveyed President Mnangagwa’s request for Fiji’s support for Zimbabwe’s candidature. He described the engagement as warm and constructive, expressing confidence in positive consideration from Pacific partners.
The delegation also paid a courtesy call on Pacific Islands Forum Acting Secretary-General Desna Solofa, where Zimbabwe outlined its commitment to inclusive multilateralism and solidarity among developing nations. The Acting Secretary-General undertook to relay Zimbabwe’s message to Forum member states.
Professor Murwira noted that Zimbabwe and Pacific Island countries share longstanding ties through the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, which promotes cooperation across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
Climate change featured prominently in the discussions as an existential threat to Small Island Developing States and a growing challenge for Southern Africa. Professor Murwira highlighted that while climate impacts vary, their consequences unite both regions, with recurrent droughts threatening food security in Southern Africa and rising sea levels undermining livelihoods in the Pacific.
“Climate change and sustainability are key pillars of Zimbabwe’s campaign,” he said. “If elected to the Security Council, Zimbabwe will champion collective global action to address climate-related security threats, particularly those affecting vulnerable states.”
The Pacific outreach was historic as it marked the first official visit to the region by a Zimbabwean Cabinet Minister. Officials said the tour underscored Zimbabwe’s resolve to broaden its diplomatic footprint and engage all UN member states, regardless of geography or size.
As campaigning ahead of the June 2026 vote intensifies, Zimbabwe says its bid goes beyond representation, seeking to advance inclusive multilateralism, climate justice and equitable global governance. The tour reflected President Mnangagwa’s vision that no nation should be left behind.
