AU-EU High-Level Health Partnership Meeting Kicks Off in Pretoria to Boost Equity and Resilience Ahead of G20 and Luanda Summit
Pretoria, Gauteng – Leaders from the African Union and European Union gathered today at the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Health Sciences for a pivotal high-level steering meeting to renew their strategic partnership on health. Held on 5 November 2025, the event brings together about 30 delegates from 15 countries, four regional bodies, and 11 continental institutions to align on key priorities like equity, security, and resilience. This marks a fresh chapter in their 25-year collaboration, setting the stage for deeper ties before the G20 Health Ministers Meeting and the AU-EU Summit in Luanda, Angola, on 24 to 25 November 2025. With a focus on tackling outbreaks like mpox and advancing universal health coverage, the discussions aim to drive sustainable, country-led solutions that benefit all Africans and strengthen global health systems.
Hosted by South Africa’s Ministry of Health in partnership with the African Union Commission, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the European Commission, and the Belgian government, the day-long session started at 1 pm. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi delivered the opening remarks, emphasising Africa’s leadership in health financing. As South Africa chairs the G20, this meeting underscores the continent’s push for fairer global health architecture, building on recent wins like vaccine donations and tech transfers.
Renewing a 25-Year Partnership for Global Health Equity
The AU-EU health partnership, now in its 25th year, has evolved into a robust framework tackling shared challenges through five key areas: manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines, and health technologies; sexual and reproductive health and rights; sustainable health security via a One Health approach; digital health for stronger systems and universal coverage; and support for public health institutes. This collaboration draws from the Global Health EDCTP3 initiative, active since 2004, which has funded clinical research to deliver life-saving treatments.
Today’s meeting reaffirms commitments to multilateral, mutually beneficial action. It follows the principles of the Lusaka Agenda, Seville Financing for Development Conference, Accra reset, and AU-EU Innovation Agenda. Delegates highlighted how health is central to both continents’ goals, aligning with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy that stresses no one is healthy unless everyone is. The partnership has proven vital in crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic, where it addressed vaccine inequities and boosted local production.
Key Participants Driving the Discussions
The gathering features a diverse lineup of experts and officials. Co-chairs include H.E. Amma Twum-Amoah, AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development; Dr Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC; Mr Martin Seychell, Deputy Director-General for International Partnerships at the European Commission; and Ms Heidy Rombouts, Director-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid at Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Other notable attendees are Dr Mimi Darko, Director-General of the African Medicines Agency; H.E. Ambassador Javier Niño Pérez, Head of the EU Delegation to the AU; and representatives from AUDA-NEPAD, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, European Investment Bank, European Medicines Agency, and various EU member states like Belgium, Denmark, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, and Spain. African nations represented include Angola as AU president, South Africa, and Kenya.
This mix ensures broad input, from policy makers to technical experts, fostering decisions that reflect real needs on the ground.
Agenda: Aligning on Priorities for a Healthier Future
The agenda centres on strategic alignment to inform health priorities and find common ground in global health structures and financing. A major focus is advancing universal health coverage through sustainable, locally driven funding, with Africa taking the lead. Discussions will cover reforming global health diplomacy for health sovereignty, including sustainable financing, data ownership, African manufacturing, and robust pandemic readiness.
Dr Jean Kaseya captured the spirit: “The AU-EU Health Partnership is more than a collaboration; it is a shared commitment to health security and health sovereignty. Together, we can make this a reality.” Ms Heidy Rombouts added: “This meeting shows how far the strategic partnership has come. Together, there is a strong willingness and commitment to continue building on the AU-EU Global Health Partnership’s foundations and to develop even more mutually beneficial partnerships in health.”
H.E. Ambassador Javier Niño Pérez noted: “Ahead of the AU-EU Summit in Luanda, we share the commitment to keep health high on the global agenda. The European Union will continue to be a reliable partner to Africa, also in this domain.”
These talks build consensus for the Luanda Summit, where health will feature prominently alongside other issues.
Major Achievements Highlighted in the Partnership
The collaboration has delivered tangible results, such as Team Europe’s donation of 215 000 mpox vaccine doses to Africa CDC for the ongoing outbreak. This has bolstered regulatory systems at continental and national levels, ensuring safer access to medicines and vaccines for all Africans.
In South Africa, the mRNA technology transfer hub stands out as a game-changer, promoting regional production of mRNA-based health products to enhance security and reduce reliance on imports. Other wins include the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation Initiative, which has assessed and listed five human medicines with European Medicines Agency support, and the operationalisation of the African Medicines Agency.
Research efforts have yielded treatments for children against HIV, malaria, schistosomiasis, sleeping sickness, and worm infections. In October 2025, Ghana launched Coartem Baby, the first malaria treatment for young infants, developed through EDCTP-funded trials. Capacity building has reached countries like Burundi, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Central African Republic, and Zimbabwe.
Digital initiatives include a continental One Health platform for data exchange, aiding pandemic prevention.
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