Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the President of Zimbabwe at COP26.

The Foreign Secretary did not meet with President Mnangagwa during the COP26 World Leaders Summit. However, I met with President Mnangagwa on 1 November. During our discussion I raised the UK's bilateral relationship with Zimbabwe and emphasised HMG's desire to see Zimbabwe succeed. I also raised our concerns regarding human rights, the shrinking of democratic space and the importance of Zimbabwe demonstrating a positive trajectory ahead of the 2023 elections. I also took the opportunity to highlight the targeted nature of UK sanctions on Zimbabwe, outlining that they do not affect the economy or the people of Zimbabwe. I also welcomed Zimbabwe's recently announced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and their signature to the Leaders' Declaration on Forests and Land Use.