On behalf of the Government and people of Zimbabwe, as well as our ruling revolutionary Party, ZANU PF and indeed on my own behalf; it is a great pleasure and honour to welcome you, my Dear Brother, Your Excellency, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and your esteemed delegation, to Zimbabwe.

I thank you, for graciously accepting to pay this State Visit. Your presence here reaffirms your personal commitment, and that of your Government, to further consolidate the excellent relations between our two countries.

This visit is a celebration of our rich past, brotherly partnership and the enduring bond of friendship between our countries. It also affords us an opportunity to chart a bold and transformative future for our mutual benefit.

Zimbabwe is forever indebted to Equatorial Guinea, for the principled and courageous solidarity along with the economic and material support, availed to us during our times of great need, following the imposition of sanctions by some Western countries. We shall never forget and will jealously guard our unity, and solidarity.

Over the recent past, the exchange of high-level visits between Harare and Malabo have increased towards deepening our cooperation. My State Visit to Malabo in 2023, culminated in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding, in the areas of Investment, Transport, Agriculture, Mining, Fisheries, Culture and Tourism.

I recall, during that visit, we reaffirmed the need to initiate our bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation.

It is commendable that this has been realised with the convening of the first ever meeting of the Zimbabwe- Equatorial Guinea Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation, in May, ahead of this historic State Visit.

I am confident that the outcome of these meetings will see the accelerated implementation of the various priority areas of our Agreements.

Your Excellency;

Current international economic relations, demand that African countries and the Global South strengthen cooperation and synergies to achieve equitable development, industrialisation and the transformation of the livelihood of our peoples.

“Zimbabwe is Open for Business” and we are ready to play our part as a safe and secure investment destination. I, therefore, invite business stakeholders to enhance business-to-business linkages for improved trade partnerships and mutual investments.

Public-private partnerships are also welcome for the full exploitation of the bountiful economic opportunities that exist in our countries.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen;

Allow me to express my sincere appreciation for the principled goodwill and unanimous support from African countries, including Equatorial Guinea, along with many others across the world, with regards to Zimbabwe’s successful election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, for the period 2027 to 2028.

We also, express profound gratitude to you,

Your Excellency and to your Government, for the unwavering solidarity in calls for the unconditional removal of illegal sanctions imposed on us.

We value this unity, which reflects our collective obligation to advancing Africa’s voice and interests within the global governance arena.

As we celebrate your State Visit, Your Excellency and Dear Brother, let us reaffirm our shared resolve to strengthening bilateral cooperation, enhancing trade and investment, as well as fostering people-to-people relations for the mutual benefit of our peoples.

With these remarks, may I now invite us all to rise and join me in a toast:

• To the continued good health and long life of

His Excellency, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo,

7President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the First Lady;

• To the peace, unity, prosperity and economic

well-being of our two great nations;

• To the enduring fraternal bonds of friendship between

Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea;

• To a prosperous, united and integrated Africa;

• To global peace, security, development and shared

prosperity for all.

I wish you, Your Excellency and your delegation a

pleasant stay in Zimbabwe.

Cheers!

God bless you all.

God bless Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea.

I thank you. Gracias.