Africa CDC will bring the priorities of its 55 African Union Member States and the perspectives of regional health organizations into the global reform process
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 31 August 2026 – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has been selected to represent regional health organizations worldwide on the Joint Task Force on Global Health Architecture Reform.
Following nominations from several regional health organizations, the World Health Organization formally invited H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, to join the Task Force as their representative.
“We receive this recognition with humility and with a clear understanding of the responsibility it carries,” said Dr Kaseya. “Our first responsibility is to bring forward the priorities and perspectives of our 55 African Union Member States, while engaging other regional institutions to ensure that their voices are heard.”
The Joint Task Force is part of the Member State-led process to reform the global health architecture, following the decision of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly and the UN80 Initiative. It will develop options and recommendations for consideration by the Eightieth World Health Assembly, focusing on the functions, mandates and capacities of global health actors; coordination and decision-making; and the financing of global health priorities.
Africa CDC’s engagement will be guided by its 55 AU Member States through the African High-Level Ministerial Committee on Global Health Architecture Reform (AHLMC), which enables African governments to develop common positions and strengthen Africa’s voice in global health governance.
Africa has been clear about the direction global health reform must take. We need a system that places countries at the centre, recognizes and strengthens the role of regional institutions, advances greater equity and sustainable financing, and reinforces health security and sovereignty.
Africa CDC will consult other regional health organizations throughout the process to ensure that their experiences, priorities and perspectives inform the Task Force’s deliberations. Regional institutions bring the knowledge, proximity and practical experience needed to build a global health architecture that responds effectively to countries and communities.
“The responsibility entrusted to Africa CDC extends to listening carefully to our sister regional health organizations and ensuring their perspectives are reflected at the table,” Dr Kaseya said. “Regional institutions bring knowledge, proximity and experience that are essential to building a global health architecture that responds effectively to countries and communities.”
Dr Kaseya will represent Africa CDC at the first in-person meeting of the full Joint Task Force at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, from 3 to 4 September 2026. Professor Ngashi Ngongo will coordinate Africa CDC’s technical engagement, working alongside Professor Aliko Baba Ahmed and Ambassador Alex Ratebaye, with contributions from relevant Africa CDC Directorates and technical experts.
Africa CDC’s participation builds on the launch of the AHLMC by African ministers in April 2026 and reflects the growing role of Africa and its institutions in shaping global health. “It is also a responsibility to demonstrate that regional institutions can contribute constructively to building a global health architecture that works better for countries and communities,” Dr Kaseya said.
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About Africa CDC
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is the public health agency of the African Union. As an autonomous institution, Africa CDC supports AU Member States in strengthening health systems, improving disease surveillance, and enhancing emergency preparedness and response. For more information, visit: http://www.africacdc.org and follow Africa CDC on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube.
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