Lusaka, Zambia- 03 December 2015-African Union Member States and Regional Economic Communities meeting last week reviewed the draft catalytic framework to end AIDS, TB and Malaria in Africa by 2030. The meeting aligned the catalytic framework with the global and continental strategic directions including the 2013 Abuja Declaration, Agenda 2063 and the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals. The AIDS, TB and Malaria agenda remains high on Africa’s political agenda as the most affected continent. The Specialised Technical Committee on Health, Drug Control and Population and the AIDS Watch Africa meetings in 2015 directed the Commission working with Member States and partners to develop a ‘catalytic framework’ detailing milestones to end AIDS, TB and Malaria in Africa by 2030.
“While significant progress has been made in responding to AIDS, TB and Malaria the catalytic framework provides us with an opportunity to review, refocus and look at what works in order to scale up. If we remain doing business as usual we do not stand a chance to end these diseases” said Dr. Peter Mwaba, the Permanent Secrertary of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Zambia.
The 2013 Abuja Declaration provides 30 key actions to end AIDS, TB and Malaria in Africa by 2030. These actions include stepping up the mobilisation of domestic resources for health systems strengthening and ensuring that strategies are in place for diversified, balanced and sustainable financing for health. It further calls for strengthened leadership, governance and accountability in responding to the three diseases. The Declaration underscores the implementation of effective and targeted poverty elimination strategies and social protection programmes that integrate AIDS, TB and Malaria.
“The catalytic framework will provide key strategic actions, a business model, milestones and targets to fast track the end of the the three diseases by 2030” said Dr. Djoudalbaye Benjamin, Senior Health Officer at the African Union Commission.
The meeting also reviewed the draft African Health Strategy that will continue to provide the strategic direction in creating better health for all. The strategy explore challenges and opportunities in reducing the continent’s disease burden and strengthening health systems. Regional Economic Communities and African Union Organs also met on the sidelines of this meeting to review progress in implementing the AU Roadmap and discussed recent developments at global and continental levels impacting the continent’s response to AIDS, TB and malaria. Strengthened coordination between the RECs and the African Union facilitates effective monitoring of the various continental and regional frameworks and tools at country level.
The African Union has undergone a strategic visioning process and defined its path for the next 50 years in Agenda 2063. Besides shaping Agenda 2063, the Common Africa Position on the Post 2015 Development Agenda was influential in shaping the global policy agenda as highlighted in the recently adopted SDGs that take into account Africa's development priorities.
The meeting was jointly organized by the African Union Commission and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.
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For further information contact

Tawanda Chisango| Social Affairs | African Union Commission |Tel: +251115182029 | E-mail: Chisangot@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int |Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision:to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peacewith itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable,efficient and responsive Commission. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/