47 African countries are set to convene in Brazzaville for the 74th session of WHO Regional Committee for Africa

Health ministers from 47 African countries are set to convene in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, for the Seventy-fourth session of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa. This Committee, the WHO’s decision-making body for the region, meets annually to discuss and approve regional policies, activities, and financial plans aimed at enhancing health and well-being across the region.

WHAT: Seventy-fourth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa

WHEN: 26 -30 August 2024

WHERE: In Brazzaville, Republic of Congo or online link.  The opening ceremony will be held at the Palais des Congres, with the remaining proceedings taking place at the Twin Towers Hotel.

WHO: About 500 delegates are expected, including WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti, health ministers from the 47 member states, senior health ministry officials, and representatives from United Nations agencies, civil society, bilateral and multilateral organizations, as well as other development partners. This event is the flagship annual gathering for these stakeholders.

HIGHLIGHTS

Sunday, 25 August 7:30-10:00 Walk the Talk

On the eve of the 74th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, WHO and the Government of Republic of Congo will hold the Walk the Talk event to encourage everyone to be physically active and make healthy lifestyle choices. Starting point: Mami Water restaurant

Monday, 26 August 8:30-11:30 Opening Ceremony

The 74th Session of the WHO Regional Committee opens with remarks from H.E Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of Republic of Congo, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General and Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

Monday, 26 August 16:00–17:30 Special event: Transforming for Impact – Strengthening African Health Systems through the WHO Reforms

The Transformation Agenda, launched by the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, aims to enhance the WHO Secretariat’s efficiency and support for Member States in the African Region. Through collaboration with countries and partners, the Transformation Agenda has driven significant health advancements over the past decade, including improved outbreak detection and response, progress in polio eradication, reduced maternal mortality rates and elimination of neglected tropical diseases. The event will be a platform to celebrate achievement, share best practices and lessons learned and reflect on addressing ongoing public health challenges.

Tuesday, 27 August 12:15–13:45 Special Event WHO Investment Round: Making Africa’s voice heard

Sustainable financing is essential for WHO to effectively fulfil its core functions. To transform funding, WHO launched an Investment Round in Geneva during this year’s World Health Assembly. The event marks the start of a year-long series of engagements and actions, co-hosted by countries, where Member States and other donors will be invited. This approach aims to secure predictable, flexible resources for WHO’s 2025–2028 budget of US$ 11.1 billion. With a projected income of US$ 4 billion(as of mid-2024) a funding gap of US$ 7.1 billion remains.

The Investment Round in the African region seeks new contributions and political commitment from Member States and donorsthat have not yet provided voluntary contributions and by tapping into new private sector donors through the WHO Foundation. WHO aims to expand its donor base by engaging new Member States and private sector donors, culminating in a major pledging event in November at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Brazil.

Wednesday, 28 August 12:15–13:45 Tackling the public health emergency of preventable child mortality in the WHO African Region

Child mortality remains a critical issue in the WHO African Region, with over half of under-5 deaths due to preventable diseases. With 1 in 13 children dying before turning five, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to have the highest under-five mortality rate in the world—a rate attained by the global community in 1999. The side-event will showcase achievements, explore collaboration, and prioritize child health, leveraging the momentum from WHA resolution 77.5 to drive action and ensure every African child has the chance to lead healthy and productive lives.

Wednesday, 28 August 16:45–18:15 Special event The Road to Zero: Ending Polio in the African Region

The African Region achieved wild polio-free status in 2020 but faced a resurgence in 2022 when wild poliovirus was imported from Pakistan to Malawi and Mozambique. A rapid multi-country response led to no new cases since August 2022, and the outbreak was declared closed in May 2024. The Region aims to interrupt all type 1 viruses by 2024, with a 75% decline in cases and fewer affected countries. However, 30 Member States experienced variant poliovirus type 2 outbreaks.

This high-level event will address challenges, reinforce commitments, and strategize actions to achieve complete eradication.

Wednesday, 28 August 18:30–20:30 Side event 3 Cervical Cancer elimination in Africa: Accelerating prevention through Vaccination and Screening within an Integrated Person-centred Approach

This pivotal side event will address the severe burden of cervical cancer in the WHO African Region, which accounts for over 13% of new cases and deaths globally. It will focus on raising awareness, advocating for stronger prevention measures, and leveraging recent developments to prioritize HPV vaccination and screening.

The primary objectives are to enhance access to primary prevention through HPV vaccination and secondary prevention via HPV-based screening. The session aims to mobilize key actors to share experiences, strengthen collaboration, and explore effective strategies for integrating interventions to accelerate cervical cancer elimination.

Participants will discuss measures to promote the integration of services, such as combining HIV care with cervical cancer prevention, and advocate for affordable HPV-based screening tests.

Thursday, 29 August 18:30–20:30 Side event 5 Vaccination for Better Health in Africa: Renewed Promise, Commitment, and Investment

The African region has made notable progress in immunization, saving 50 million lives in the past 50 years. Despite this, one in four African children still misses crucial vaccines, leading to preventable diseases and deaths. In 2017, the Addis Declaration on Immunization (ADI) was endorsed to enhance vaccine access. However, COVID-19 disruptions have derailed progress, resulting in 30 million zero-dose children. Recent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles and polio, highlight the region’s challenges, particularly in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This side event will bring together key stakeholders to discuss how to overcome barriers and implement actions to accelerate the Big Catch-Up initiative and improve immunization rates across the region.

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