MEDIA ADVISORY

High-Level Side Event on the Margins of the 79th World Health Assembly

“Sustaining the Momentum: Cross-Border Collaboration to Achieve Malaria and NTD Elimination”

INVITATION TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

WHAT: High-Level Side Event on the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly under the theme: “Sustaining the Momentum: Cross-Border Collaboration to Achieve Malaria and NTD Elimination.”

WHEN: 20 May 2026

TIME: 07:30 – 09:30 (Geneva Time)

WHERE: Restaurant Vieux Bois (Geneva)

WHO: The side event is co-convened by the African Union Commission and the Global Onchocerciasis Network for Elimination, with collaborating partners including:

African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA)

Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative

END Fund

RBM Partnership to End Malaria

Health Campaign Effectiveness Coalition

Expected speakers and participants include African Ministers of Health, representatives of the World Health Organization, AU leadership, regional institutions, civil society organizations, donors, and technical partners.

WHY:
Malaria and neglected tropical diseases continue to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations across Africa and beyond, threatening health security, economic growth, and sustainable development. As countries work toward the 2030 global elimination targets, strengthened cross-border collaboration, resilient health systems, and sustained political leadership remain critical to protecting hard-won gains and accelerating progress.

The side event will provide a platform for Member States and partners to exchange best practices, discuss innovative approaches to sustaining programmes amid evolving financing landscapes, and reinforce collective commitment toward coordinated regional action and disease elimination.

Objective of the Event

The event aims to strengthen cross-border collaboration and political commitment among Member States and partners to accelerate the elimination of malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), while advancing resilient and integrated health systems across Africa.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants will include Ministers and senior officials from African Ministries of Health, representatives from the African Union and the World Health Organization, development partners, civil society organizations, researchers, public health experts, and advocates working on malaria elimination, NTDs, climate resilience, and health systems strengthening.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES

Opening remarks by high-level dignitaries

Ministerial panel discussions

Group photo opportunity

Interviews with health leaders and partners

Networking with regional and global health stakeholders

JOURNALISTS ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT

For Media Interviews and further information, contact:

Ms. Inas Mubarak Yahia, Head of Division, Health Systems, Diseases and Nutrition | African Union Commission | Email: AbbasI@africanunion.org

Eric Junior Wagobera, Program Officer | African Union Commission Email: WagoberaE@africanunion.org

For media information, please contact:

Godstime Gaius, Information and Communication Directorate | Email: GaiusG@africanunion.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: Media@africanunion.org
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