INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA
WHAT: Official Launch of the 2026 Edition of the International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA2026)
WHEN: Friday, 8th May 2026
TIME: 16:00hrs – 17:00hrs | East Africa Time (GMT +3)
15:00hrs – 16:00hrs | Southern Africa Time (GMT+2)
14:00hrs – 15:00hrs | Central African Countries (GMT+1)
13:00hrs – 14:00hrs | West African Countries (GMT)
EVENT FORMAT: Hybrid
IN-PERSON VENUE: Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ethiopia
Virtual Participation: Register on Zoom link below: https://africacdc-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4eRgl4oMS6GF9ZVxYjN6Ag
SPEAKERS:
- Dr Raj Tajudeen, Ag. Deputy Director General, Africa CDC
- H.E. Ambassador Hadera Abera, State Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
- H.E. Dr. Dereje Duguma, State Minster of Health,
- Dr Placid Mbala, International Co-Chair, Scientific Programme Committee, CPHIA 2026
- Prof Yemane Birhane, Local Co-Chair, Scientific Programme Committee, CPHIA 2026
MODERATOR:
Dr Marta Minwyelet Terefe, Deputy Chief of Staff
Livestream: You can also follow the event on livestream: All Africa CDC platforms
Media inquiries:
Margaret Muigai Edwin, Director of Communication & Public Information Directorate: Africa
CDC | Tel: +255 742 635 592 | Email: edwinm@africacdc.org
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Brief Description
The International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA), a flagship programme of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), is a premier platform that convenes political leaders, policymakers, scientists, private sector actors, civil society and development partners to advance evidence-based policies and strategies for health security in Africa.
CPHIA serves as the continent’s largest public health gathering, connecting dialogue on critical health priorities with scientific breakthroughs, innovation and practical solutions to strengthen resilient health systems across African Union Member States.
The 2026 edition of CPHIA will be co-hosted by Africa CDC and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia from 1–5 November 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme: “Africa’s Health Security and Sovereignty: Transformation from health dependency and vulnerability to ownership and resilience.”
The theme aligns with the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) agenda recently adopted by the African Union Assembly and builds on the commitments outlined in the Durban Promise from CPHIA 2025. Discussions at CPHIA 2026 will focus on practical, evidence-based and transformative solutions to strengthen Africa’s capacity to finance, produce and govern health interventions, while accelerating progress towards universal health coverage, pandemic preparedness and sustainable development.
The conference will provide a platform for strategic dialogue across the five pillars of the AHSS agenda:
- Reformed and more inclusive global health architecture;
- Institutionalising continental preparedness, prevention and response;
- Securing predictable, domestic, innovative and blended financing;
- Digital transformation; and
- Local manufacturing.
CPHIA 2026 is expected to convene more than 30,000 participants, including Heads of State and Government, policymakers, scientists, innovators, civil society organisations and private sector leaders from Africa and around the world.
