This development was confirmed in a post-Cabinet briefing led by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Jenfan Muswere yesterday.
Highlighting the Cabinet's decision, Minister Muswere announced, “Cabinet considered and approved Memorandum of Understanding Between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria on Cooperation in the field of Archives as presented by the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage.”
The MOU, as outlined by Minister Muswere, encompasses a broad range of collaborative efforts in the archival sector.
The primary areas of cooperation include the preservation, restoration, digitalization, indexing, and publication of archives.
Minister Muswere emphasized, “The nation is informed that the Memorandum of Understanding provides for cooperation in the field of archives preservation, restoration, digitalization, indexation, and publication.”
A key component of this agreement involves the exchange of expert knowledge and skills between the two nations.
According to Minister Muswere, “Cabinet further advises that the parties will exchange experts in the field of archives to share knowledge on modern technologies and restoration activities as well as identify management skills in the two countries.”
Moreover, the MOU outlines the organization of training courses, workshops, seminars, and exhibitions dedicated to archives, alongside collaborative scientific research and studies.
The intellectual property rights resulting from this research will be jointly owned by both countries.
Minister Muswere elaborated, “Furthermore, the two countries would organize training courses, workshops, seminars, and exhibitions on archives and scientific research and studies. Regarding intellectual property rights, the parties will jointly own any results from research conducted under the MOU.”
In addition to the MOU on archives, Minister Muswere highlighted President Emmerson Mnangagwa's bilateral meetings during his visit to Algeria.
These meetings served as a platform for President Mnangagwa to strengthen Zimbabwe's ties with Algeria and to promote Zimbabwe as a favourable investment destination.
This MOU represents a strategic step in enhancing the relationship between Zimbabwe and Algeria, with a focus on cultural and technological exchange in the archival sector.
It marks a new chapter in the collaboration between the two countries, aiming to leverage their expertise for mutual benefit and cultural preservation.
