By Michael Gwarisa
Zimbabwe is making a strong case to host the 2028 International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP), with the country now undergoing a high-level assessment of its readiness to stage one of the world’s largest gatherings on sexual and reproductive health and rights.
A two-member delegation from the International Conference on Family Planning Secretariat is in Harare for an official In-Country Assessment Mission taking place from November 9 to 11, 2026.
The mission is assessing Zimbabwe’s capacity to host the prestigious conference, which brings together thousands of policymakers, researchers, health professionals, civil society organisations, young people, advocates and development partners from around the world.
Zimbabwe is competing against Rwanda, Egypt and South Africa to host the 2028 edition, with Zimbabwe and South Africa emerging as the leading contenders.
During their visit, the delegation is engaging key players across the family planning and healthcare sectors, including the Ministry of Health and Child Care, other government ministries, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations.
Speaking on the sidelines of the meetings in Harare yesterday, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said Zimbabwe was confident it could deliver a successful conference.
“The moment we decide we need to host such a conference, it means we have done our homework and we are ready,” said Dr Mombeshora.
He said hosting the conference would not only give Zimbabwean institutions an opportunity to showcase their work, but would also create lasting benefits for the country and its health sector.
Kellie Wellborn, Chairperson of the International Steering Committee Secretariat, said the assessment mission was intended to understand what Zimbabwe could bring to the global conference.
“We are here to hear from a number of Ministries, CSOs, NGOs and youth-led organisations. We are here to learn about all of the qualities that Zimbabwe will bring to the conference,” Wellborn said.
Philip Angelwicz, Director at the Gates Institute, said the delegation would next travel to South Africa as part of the assessment process, with the two southern African countries currently viewed as the strongest contenders.
UNFPA, a member of the Core Organizing Group, is providing technical support to the Ministry of Health and Child Care as Zimbabwe prepares its bid.
“Together with our partners, we are demonstrating Zimbabwe’s commitment to advancing family planning and bodily autonomy for all,” UNFPA said.
Zimbabwe’s bid is backed by a strong track record of hosting major international health gatherings. The country hosted the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) in 2015 and again in 2023, successfully bringing together thousands of delegates from across the continent and beyond.
Zimbabwe is also scheduled to host an international neurosurgery conference in 2028.
For Zimbabwe, therefore, the ICFP bid is about more than securing another international event. It is an opportunity to demonstrate that the country has the institutions, expertise, partnerships, infrastructure and experience required to convene the global health community.
