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By UCHE Precious
The Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly on Health convenes pursuant to the decision of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which called for a dedicated summit to address Africa’s evolving health priorities.
Building on previous Assembly decisions and continental commitments, the Summit will consider a fully costed AU Roadmap to 2030 and Beyond to sustain the HIV/AIDS response, strengthen resilient health systems, and enhance health security across the continent.
Theme: Advancing Justice, Equity and Universal Health Coverage: Ending AIDS, TB, Improving Maternal Health and Addressing Endemic Non-Communicable and Neglected Tropical Diseases and Conditions in Africa
Dates: 21–22 July 2026
Venue: Accra, Republic of Ghana
The Summit seeks to mobilise high-level political leadership, strengthen strategic partnerships, increase sustainable domestic financing, promote local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and accelerate the implementation of Africa’s health priorities in support of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.
Over the past two decades, sustained investments have contributed to a 74% reduction in AIDS-related deaths since 2004. However, these gains are increasingly at risk due to declining and uncertain external financing, underscoring the urgency of strengthening African-led and African-financed health systems.
In line with the Abuja Declaration, which calls on Member States to allocate at least 15% of national budgets to health, the Assembly will consider practical measures to expand domestic health financing while advancing the Roadmap to 2030 and Beyond.
Deliberations will also focus on tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and newborn health, viral hepatitis, neglected tropical diseases, and non-communicable diseases, recognising that these conditions continue to place a disproportionate burden on African populations and require coordinated continental action.
Through this Extraordinary Summit, the African Union reaffirms its commitment to advancing justice, equity and universal health coverage, while building resilient health systems capable of delivering quality healthcare and safeguarding the health security of all Africans.
General Objective:
Secure a declaration on the implementation of the AU Roadmap to 2030, mobilising Member States to accelerate action toward ending AIDS, TB, reducing maternal deaths, addressing communicable, non-communicable, and neglected tropical diseases, and strengthening resilient health systems.
Review progress on AIDS, TB, Malaria, maternal health, NCDs, and NTDs.
Share best practices, innovations, and lessons learned.
Identify sustainable financing opportunities and strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Strengthen regional and international partnerships.
Enhance National Public Health Institutes and health workforce governance.
Promote community participation and reduce stigma and discrimination.
Secure political, financial, and programmatic commitments.
Adopt the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework of the AU Roadmap to 2030.
Thematic Focus
Ending AIDS and TB by 2030
Preventable maternal deaths
Communicable, non-communicable, and neglected tropical diseases
Strengthening health systems and the health workforce
Health equity, youth empowerment, and universal health coverage
Sustainable financing and local pharmaceutical manufacturing
Expected Outcomes
Declaration on implementing the fully costed AU Roadmap to 2030.
Strengthened political commitment toward ending AIDS and TB and reducing maternal deaths.
Enhanced awareness of sustainable financing and local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Strengthened regional and international partnerships.
Improved governance of National Public Health Institutes.
Renewed commitment to resilient health systems and universal access to quality healthcare.
Adoption of the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.
Follow-up Actions
Continued advocacy for implementation of the AU Roadmap to 2030.
Capacity-building workshops for Member States.
Regular monitoring, reporting, and accountability on health system strengthening and disease control.
Documentation
Working Documents
Fully Costed AU Roadmap to 2030
Concept Note on the Extraordinary Session
Provisional Agenda and Programme of Work
Reference Documents
Agenda 2063: Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (2024–2033)
AU Roadmap to 2030 and Beyond
Abuja Declarations (2001 and 2012)
Africa Health Strategy (2016–2030)
AIDS Watch Africa Strategic Framework (2016–2030)
Catalytic Framework to End AIDS, TB and Eliminate Malaria by 2030
