The African Union (AU) represented by the African Union Commission (AUC), today, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), to promote and develop cooperation on matters relating to the control and elimination of NTDs based on equality and mutual benefit in line with the agenda 2063. Organized in the margins of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80, the signing ceremony took place at the Permanent Observer Mission of the AU to the UN, in New York, USA.

H.E Amb. Amma A. Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHD), signed the MoU on behalf of the AUC, while Dr. Isatou Touray, Interim Executive, signed on behalf of Uniting to Combat NTDs.

The MoU aims to facilitate cooperation and collaboration between the parties, ensure effective partnership in areas of mutual interest, collaborate on the domestication of the AU Roadmap 2030 in Member States, including joint advocacy on domestic resource mobilization for its implementation in the continent.“ NTDs are not merely a health challenge, they reflect systemic inequities, affecting over 600 million Africans, disproportionately impacting women, children and communities in fragile settings. They thrive in silence, in places where health systems are weakest and where voices are often unheard.

Today, we affirm that silence is no longer an option”, stated Commissioner Amma.

The two parties have agreed to collaborate in the following areas: Support the advocacy for effective leadership and good governance in promoting the control and elimination of NTDs in African Union Member States, through high-level policy dialogues; Advocate for resource mobilization with emphasis on increased, sustained political commitment, accountability and domestic resource mobilization; Promote and encourage high level coordination and harmonization in the implementation of the regional policy frameworks for NTDs, including the implementation of the fully costed AU Roadmap 2030; Advocate for inclusive initiatives, including vector control, health promotion and education through a multi sectorial approach; and support the advocacy for increased funding toward research and development of innovative solutions to address the burden of NTDs in the African continent.

For further media inquiries, please contact:

Ms. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Media and Information Division | Information and Communications Directorate, AUC, and Communication Adviser of the Permanent Observer Mission of the AU to the UN | E-mail: yamboue@africanunion.org , Tel: +251911361185 / +1 3478127195 (WhatsApp)