African Union

07/16/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/16/2026 02:01

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The African Union (AU) will convene an Extraordinary Session of the Assembly on 21-22 July 2026 in Accra, Ghana, under the theme "Advancing Justice, Equity and Universal Health Coverage: Ending AIDS, TB, improving maternal health, addressing endemic non-communicable and neglected tropical diseases and conditions in Africa." The summit will bring together African Heads of State and Government, Ministers, AU organs, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), health organizations, development partners, civil society, youth representatives, the private sector, and the media to reaffirm Africa's commitment to ending AIDS and TB by 2030, reducing preventable maternal deaths, strengthening health systems, and advancing universal health coverage across the continent.

The Extraordinary Session follows the decision adopted during the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly held on 15-16 February 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which called for a dedicated summit on public health. It builds upon previous AU commitments, including Assembly/AU/Dec.852(XXXVI), requesting the development of a fully costed AU Roadmap to 2030 on sustaining the AIDS response, strengthening health systems, and ensuring health security. The summit aims to mobilize political leadership, strengthen partnerships, enhance sustainable financing, promote local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and accelerate implementation of continental health priorities while advancing Agenda 2063.



  • National and Regional Consultative Meetings (Q2-Q3 2026), including AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) platforms
  • Member State Experts Meetings (Ministries of Health, Finance, and Economic/Development Planning) - 21 July 2026
  • Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) Meeting - Four weeks before the summit
  • Expanded Executive Council Meeting - Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Health, Finance, and Economic/Development Planning
  • AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government - 22 July 2026
  • Plenary sessions, panel discussions, interactive workshops, high-level dialogues, and partner exhibitions


General Objective: Secure a declaration on the implementation of the AU Roadmap to 2030, mobilizing 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.


  • 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


The Extraordinary Session is expected to bring together:

  • AU Heads of State and Government
  • Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Health, and Finance
  • African Union Commission, Organs, and Programmes
  • Regional Economic Communities (RECs)
  • Regional Health Organizations (RHOs)
  • United Nations agencies
  • International organizations and development partners
  • Civil society and community organizations
  • Youth leaders and representatives
  • Private sector representatives
  • Media representatives


  • 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.


  • 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.


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


  • Opening Ceremony and Keynote Addresses
  • Panel Discussions on Sustainable Financing and Public Health
  • Interactive Workshops on Access to Medicines and Health Security
  • Panels on Health Equity, Youth Empowerment, and Universal Health Coverage
  • Partner Exhibitions and Networking Sessions
  • Closing Ceremony and Adoption of Outcome Documents


English, Arabic, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swahili.



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