Ethiopia, represented by H.E Ambassador Hirut Zemene(on behalf of H.E the Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba), took part in the High-level Ministerial meeting of AU-EU partnership on Global Health for equitable access towards African Health sovereignty held in Brussels, on March 20,2024.
The High-level meeting which comprises a plenary session, roundtable discussions and networking sessions, was jointly organized by the rotating Presidency of the EU(Belgium), the European Commission, the African Union Commission and the African Centers for Disease control and Prevention (Africa CDC). During the discussion, both the AU and EU officials underlined to strengthen the foundation of the shared ambition of the African Union and the EU in Global Health, cultivating a spirit of cooperation matched by tangible results and action.
The High-level conference which brings together EU and AU Development and Health Ministers, EU and AU Commissioners, Director Generals of International Organizations and representatives of foundations, CSOs and other global health stakeholders, decided to expand the AU-EU Global Health partnership based on principles of equity and solidarity.
During the event, Team Europe also launched four strategic initiatives (sustainable Health security, support to Public Health Institution, Digital health and social protection) that foster resilient health care systems and social protection in Africa.
The Ethiopian delegation has used both the sessions and sidelines networking opportunities to promote and strengthen collaboration with both bilateral and international partners in the field.