1.0 REPORT ON THE SEASONAL DISEASE RISKS, URGENT
VACCINE DEPLOYMENT AND PROPOSED CONTINGENCY
FUNDING
Cabinet received a Report on the Seasonal Disease Risks, Urgent Vaccine
Deployment and Proposed Contingency Funding.
The country has experienced sporadic and isolated outbreaks of water
borne diseases, typically associated with the rainy season. Although no
major outbreaks have been officially declared, risks remain elevated due to
current weather conditions, population movements, and increased strain on
water and sanitation infrastructure.
In response, the Government of Zimbabwe has intensified its preparedness
efforts by conducting comprehensive risk and hazard mapping, enhancing
alertness among response agencies, and expanding public health
communication initiatives. These measures aim to prevent isolated cases
from developing into large-scale outbreaks, and to reduce undue pressure
on the healthcare system.
Additionally, Cabinet has approved a Contingency Fund to support the
Ministry of Health and Child Care’s preparedness and early response
activities for seasonal disease outbreaks. Furthermore, the multi-sectoral
approach involving relevant Ministries, local authorities, and agencies
responsible for water and sanitation, local government, transportation,
education, environment, and social services will be strengthened in order
to enhance prevention, improve preparedness, and facilitate rapid response
during the 2026 rainy season.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has commenced the
process of developing a new National Health Strategy in line with the
National Development Strategy 2. The new National Health Strategy will
harness and ring-fence all possible health financing, including the National
Health Insurance Scheme. All stakeholders are urged to participate in the
consultations.
2.0 UPDATE ON THE SADC SUSTAINABLE ENERGY WEEK (SSEW)
TO BE HOSTED BY THE MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND POWER
DEVELOPMENT AND SADC CENTRE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY (SACREEE): VICTORIA FALLS:
23RD TO 27TH FEBRUARY, 2026
The 2026 edition of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)
Sustainable Energy Week (SSEW) is scheduled to take place at the
Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls from 23rd to 27th February 2026. The
event will be held under the theme “Driving Regional Economic
Growth through Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency.”
The SADC Sustainable Energy Week will serve as a platform to bring
together diverse stakeholders in the energy sector, including regional
institutions, government agencies, private sector players, academia, and
development partners. An estimated 500 delegates from around the world
are expected to participate in the event. The Conference will be
distinguished by the presence of high-profile dignitaries, including the
SADC Executive Secretary, African Union Commissioners, Presidents of
Africa Energy Week and leaders from prominent organisations.
Hosting this prestigious event provides significant advantages for the
Government of Zimbabwe and its various sectors. These benefits
encompass the following: stimulating economic growth through heightened
tourism and hospitality activities; attracting new investments and business
prospects; strengthening regional leadership and visibility; facilitating
knowledge exchange and capacity development; and fostering strategic
diplomatic partnerships and re-engagement initiatives.
The SADC Sustainable Energy Week programme, along with side events,
will feature parallel sessions during the first two days. The official opening
ceremony is scheduled for the third day and will be officiated by His
Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. Dr. Emmerson
Dambudzo Mnangagwa. His Excellency is also expected to tour exhibition
stands and deliver a Keynote Address. The Conference sessions will
continue on the fourth day, while the fifth day will be dedicated to energy
projects site visits in the morning, followed by excursions in the afternoon.
3.0 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE
REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE AND THE REPUBLIC OF
TAJIKISTAN ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF
GEOLOGICAL STUDIES
Cabinet considered and approved the Memorandum of Understanding
between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Tajikistan on
cooperation in the Field of Geological Studies.
The Memorandum of Understanding seeks to expand and deepen the
scientific and industrial ties between the Parties by creating a favourable
environment for cooperation and development of scientific and technical
cooperation in geological studies. The Parties will cooperate through the
following:
exchange of ideas, information, experiences, technologies, exchange
of scientists and specialists;
conducting joint workshops, scientific conferences and meetings,
preparations and capacity building of specialists;
provision of joint research projects;
conducting geological prospecting works, and the use of modern
technologies for development of geological maps; and
other mutually agreed forms of scientific and technological
cooperation.
4.0 Report on His Excellency the President’s Attendance at the
13th World Governments Summit: 3rd to 5th February, 2026:
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
His Excellency the President led the Zimbabwe delegation which attended
the 13th World Governments Summit from 3rd to 5th February 2026 in
Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Summit was held under the theme
“Shaping Future Governments”.
The objectives of the visit were to position Zimbabwe as a friendly, stable,
and ready partner for global cooperation and integration by promoting the
doctrine of being a friend to all and an enemy to none, as well as
emphasizing that Zimbabwe is open for business. Additionally, the visit
aimed to establish Zimbabwe as a premier destination for investment and
tourism, and to showcase the country’s readiness to provide global
leadership in preparation for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
non-permanent seat elections scheduled for June 2026. Furthermore, the
visit sought to strengthen and deepen cooperation at bilateral, regional,
and international levels.
The Summit also increased the prospects of Zimbabwe securing the United
Nations Security Council seat, and resulted in the signing of an addendum
extending the Memorandum of Understanding on the Government
Experience Exchange Programme.
5.0 REPORT ON THE 39TH AFRICAN SUMMIT: ADDIS ABABA,
ETHIOPIA
Cabinet received and approved the Report on the 39th African Union
Summit held from 14th to 15th February 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as
presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
His Excellency the President Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa’s attendance at both the
39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union of Heads of
State and Government and the 35th Ordinary Session of the African Peer
Review Mechanism Forum (APRM Forum) was instrumental in advancing
the country’s engagement and re-engagement strategic thrust. Zimbabwe
successfully contributed best practices and secured the re-election of its
own candidate, Mrs. Anne Musiwa to the African Committee of Experts on
the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), a key African Union organ.
It is noteworthy that the APRM Forum commended Zimbabwe for the
following best practices, among others:
1. Zimbabwe’s transformative leadership;
2. Performance Contracting;
3. Heritage-Based Education 5.0; and
4. Monetary Policy.
The achievements underscored Zimbabwe’s capacity to build consensus
within the region, thereby ensuring that Southern Africa continues to play
an inclusive and influential role in shaping continental human rights
governance. The goodwill generated from Zimbabwe’s diplomatic exploits,
namely, the successful lobbying for a resolution condemning unilateral
coercive measures and sanctions, is expected to advance its bid to host the
9th African Union Mid-Year Coordinating Meeting in 2027
