YOUR EXCELLENCY EMMANUEL MACRON, PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC,

EXCELLENCIES HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT,

HONOURABLE MINISTERS,

EXCELLENCIES AMBASSADORS AND DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES,

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

It is a great honour to represent H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, at this One Health Summit 2026. I bring to you the warm greetings of the Chairperson and the commitment of the African Union Commission to strengthening global cooperation for health security.

Africa has been closely observing the evolving global health landscape, particularly the shifts in development assistance, global financing and policy priorities. While these changes have raised legitimate concerns, they have also reinforced a central lesson: Africa must strengthen its health sovereignty, resilience and self-reliance.

This moment, therefore, represents not only a challenge, but an opportunity.

Across the continent, African leaders are accelerating the implementation of key commitments, including the Abuja Declaration, the African Leaders Meeting Declaration and the ongoing National Health Financing Dialogues, which strengthen collaboration between Ministers of Health and Ministers of Finance.

These initiatives reflect a clear priority: sustainable, domestically driven health systems capable of protecting the health and wellbeing of our populations.

Excellencies,

Allow me to highlight five priorities for reforming the global health architecture.

First, strengthening national ownership and health sovereignty.
Twenty years after the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, the principle remains clear: development cooperation must align with national priorities and strengthen country systems. True partnership requires mutual accountability and respect for national leadership.

Second, safeguarding global public goods for health.
Health is inseparable from peace, stability and development. The Health–Peace–Development nexus reminds us that investing in resilient health systems is also an investment in global security and prosperity.

Third, strengthening community-based health systems.
African Union Heads of State have endorsed an ambitious initiative to deploy two million community health workers across Africa, strengthening primary healthcare and ensuring that even the most vulnerable populations are reached.

Fourth, mobilising sustainable domestic resources.
Achieving Africa’s health security requires strong domestic investment. The African Union Commission, working with regional institutions, is supporting Member States to build sustainable financing mechanisms that reduce dependency and reinforce national capacity.

Fifth, ensuring equitable access to health products.
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that health inequities anywhere threaten health security everywhere. Africa is, therefore, prioritizing regulatory harmonisation through the African Medicines Agency, headquartered in Kigali, which will strengthen regulatory systems and expand access to safe, effective and quality medicines across the continent.

Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Africa’s priorities are aligned with a broader global vision.

In this regard, I commend H.E. President John Dramani Mahama for the Accra Reset Initiative, which seeks to reshape global health financing while advancing Africa’s health sovereignty.

The African Union also welcomes the leadership of the Government of France in advancing the One Health approach, recognising the interconnection between human, animal and environmental health.

This Summit offers a timely opportunity to move from dialogue to delivery, from commitments to implementation and from principles to tangible results.

Through genuine partnership and shared responsibility, we can build a more equitable, resilient and effective global health architecture, one that serves all regions and all peoples.

I thank you. Merci beaucoup.