African Union, Gavi and Japan unite to bolster health security and universal health coverage in Africa

• Leaders of Africa, Japan, and Gavi have committed to deepening collaboration to address Africa's most pressing health priorities

• At a thematic event of the 2024 Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting, the African Union and Gavi convened ministers and leaders to outline how sustainable financing, private sector partnerships and Japanese innovations can support countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union's Agenda 2063

• With increased outbreaks and population growth, protecting communities from vaccine-preventable disease is more critical than ever

Tokyo, Japan / Geneva, 26 August 2024 - The Government of Japan alongside the Japanese private sector, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the African Union Commission are determined to work closer together to help African countries meet their health goals.

This determination was renewed through high-level strategic dialogue at a thematic event of the 2024 Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting, which underscored the need for enhanced collaboration and innovation to accelerate progress toward achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

"Japan has been leading international discussions on achieving UHC throughout the world and has supported many countries in Africa. Thanks to our partnership with Gavi, we can work towards ensuring no one is left behind," said Dr. Keizo Takemi, Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. "Our discussion will serve as an opportunity for the public and private sectors to come together and accelerate efforts towards achieving UHC in Africa. This will become one of the major pillars of future cooperation between Japan and Africa."

Renowned for its technical expertise and innovation, the Japanese private sector represented by the Japanese Business Federation highlighted strategic health initiatives that can support African countries reach the most vulnerable populations. In spirit of the Lusaka Agenda, global health organisations engaged at the event including WHO, Unitaid and World Bank outlined the importance of sustainable financing and the development of the UHC Knowledge Hub to facilitate the exchange of information, expertise, and best practices across countries.

Commenting on the meeting's outcome Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, said: "In this era of heightened global health challenges, our partnerships must be stronger and more innovative than ever before. This dialogue has reinforced our collective resolve to work hand-in-hand with African countries, with Japan's support, to create a healthier, more equitable future for the continent."

The renewed commitment toward achieving universal healthcare in Africa comes as Gavi seeks US$9 billion in new donor funding to help protect more people, against more diseases, faster than ever before. To date, with the support of donors such as Japan, and with implementing countries at the helm, Gavi has helped immunise more than 1 billion children across 78 lower-income countries, saving more than 17 million lives. In Africa, nearly 9 million deaths have been averted through routine immunisation. Over the next five years, between 2026 and 2030, Gavi plans to reach 500 million children and save over 8 million lives.

"Immunisation plays a pivotal role in safeguarding our children's health and future. By investing in vaccines, we invest in the well-being of our youngest generation and the sustainable development of our continent," said H.E. Amb. Cessouma Minata Samate, Africa Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development.

As the 2030 deadline for the SDGs approaches, Gavi, the African Union Commission, in partnership with Japan and global health stakeholders will translate commitments into tangible actions and a coordinated implementation plan to help build more resilient health systems for all Africans.

"With about five years remaining before 2030, the target year for achieving universal health coverage, which Japan is committed to and led global efforts on, the international community must once again remind itself of the goal of achieving UHC and take action before forgetting the lessons learned from the COVID-19. We need to share knowledge and promote collaboration to ensure that everyone has equitable access to inter alia, health services as well as immunisations for all," said Mr Yoichi Fukazawa, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Cirũ Kariũki
+41 79 913 94 41
[email protected]

Laura Shevlin
+ 41 79 529 92 87
[email protected]

Meg Sharafudeen
+41 79 711 55 54
[email protected]