The African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uganda, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNAIDS, UNICEF, Africa CDC, AUDA-NEPAD, the National Organization for People Living with Hepatitis B, and other partners successfully concluded the HIGH-LEVEL CONFRENCE ON THE TRIPLE ELIMINATION OF HIV, HEPATITIS B AND SYPHILIS IN AFRICA. The conference themed “Unifying Actions, Transformation Futures: Achieving Triple Elimination in Africa by 2030” and organized in alignment with the Africa Elimination of Vertical Transmission of HIV, Syphilis and HBV Plan by 2030 and keeping their Mothers Alive (AEVT) Plan.
The conference brought together AU Ministries of Health and Finance, civil society organizations donors, development partners, researchers, community representatives and delegates across Africa to mobilize urgent actions for securing high-level political commitment to address systematic gaps in the prevention including awareness, diagnosis and treatment of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B from 21 to 23 July 2025 at the Speke Resort Convection Center in Kampala, Uganda.
Representing the Chairperson AU Commission H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, H.E. Amb. Amma Twum-Amoah commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (AUC), on the opening session she was deeply honored to address the urgency of ending mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis. Highlighted that “Africa remains disproportionately affected by these diseases that continue to weigh heavily on its public heath system thus impacting our capacity to provide quality health care”.
H.E. Jessica Alupo, the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda on behalf of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the President of the Republic of Uganda emphasized to the delegates that we came together at a time when global health priorities are evolving and funding landscapes are shifting. She noted that “this is not the time to scale back, it is the time to scale up. Not the time to reduce ambition, but to reinforce our resolve”.
In her closing remarks Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister of Health, Uganda, closed by extending heart felt congratulations to all delegates on the successful conclusion of the launch of High-Level Ministerial Conference on the Triple Elimination of HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis in Africa. “Over three days we have achieved the reaffirmed UNICEF, WHO, UN Family’s commitment to support member states, recorgized the urgency for bold political commitment, welcomed innovations in diagnostics and learned from national experiences” she highlighted.
The Call to Action urges AU Member States to develop and fund national plans, to allocate adequate and sustained financial resources, ensure that 95% of newborns receive a timely dose of the hepatitis B vaccines, address structural and systematic barriers such as stigma, gender inequality and limited health care access.
The African Union Commission, Africa CDC, AUDA-NEPAD, AMA and RECs were tasked to advocate for the allocation of adequate, diversified and sustained financial and technical resources from both domestic and international resources, establish a regional hub to share evidence practices and lessons learnt to ensure the elimination of the vertical transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis, mobilise political leadership to advocate for legislation, budget allocations and to accelerate implementation of initiatives which build capacity for manufacturing of quality health products.
Development Organizations, Partners and Civil Society were assigned to support Member States in the development, adoption and implementation of costed national plans for elimination of vertical transmission, provide financial and technical support to Member States, advocate for the allocation of adequate, diversified and sustainable financial and technical resources, to support Member States to address structural and systematic barriers to access including stigma, discrimination and poverty.
For Further Information contact:
1. Delphina Tawa, Communication Officer At ICD - TawaD@africanunion.org
2. Eric Junior Wagobera, Program Officer At AUC-HHSD – WagoberaE@africanunion.org
