By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Geneva, Switzerland – The World Health Organization (WHO) and the African Union (AU) Commission have renewed their strategic partnership through an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva.
The agreement emphasizes their joint commitment to advancing health security, universal health coverage, and sustainable development across Africa amid global financial challenges.
The AU’s leadership in fostering regional resilience and inclusive partnerships is highlighted, with the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development at the forefront of health policy implementation.
The MoU was signed by Her Excellency Ambassador Amma Adomaa Twum-Amoah, on behalf of AU Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Commissioner Twum-Amoah underscored the agreement’s significance, stating it marks a new chapter in AU–WHO cooperation, aiming to better respond to health needs and move towards health sovereignty.
Building on the 2019 MoU, the renewed pact strengthens collaboration across AU entities, reinforcing WHO’s leadership role in supporting Africa’s health priorities and Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr. Tedros emphasized the importance of the partnership during a time of aid cuts, expressing WHO’s commitment to helping African countries transition towards self-reliance.
The MoU outlines five key collaboration areas: health systems strengthening, reproductive and child health, disease prevention and control, nutrition and food security, and health in emergency settings.
The timing reflects the AU’s growing influence in global health governance, bolstered by its G20 membership, and underscores WHO’s role as a trusted partner. The renewed agreement aims to accelerate efforts in addressing Africa’s urgent health challenges and achieving lasting improvements across the continent.