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.
Several regional health organizations were nominated for the role, with Africa CDC ultimately selected to serve as their representative on the Task Force. In its formal invitation, the World Health Organization invited H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, to join the Task Force as the representative of regional health organizations.
“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.”
The Joint Task Force forms part of the Member State-led process to reform the global health architecture. It was established following the decision of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly on reform of the global health architecture and the UN80 Initiative. Its work will develop options and recommendations for consideration by the Eightieth World Health Assembly.
The process will examine how global health institutions can work with greater coherence and effectiveness across national, regional and global levels. Key areas of focus include 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 the priorities of its 55 AU Member States and facilitated through the African High-Level Ministerial Committee on Global Health Architecture Reform (AHLMC).
The AHLMC provides a continental mechanism for African governments to develop common positions and strengthen Africa’s voice in discussions on the future of global health governance.
“Africa has been clear about the direction global health reform must take,” Dr Kaseya said. “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 also consult and engage with other regional health organizations throughout the process. These consultations will help bring their experiences, priorities and perspectives into the Task Force’s deliberations.
“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, scheduled to take place at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, from 3 to 4 September 2026. WHO has also invited Africa CDC to nominate a technical focal point to support its engagement in the process.
To support Africa CDC’s participation and ensure sustained technical engagement, Dr Kaseya has designated Dr Ngashi Ngongo to coordinate Africa CDC’s technical engagement, working alongside Professor Aliko Baba Ahmed, Special Regional Representative of the Director General for the Western Africa Regional Collaborating Centre. Dr Alex Coutinho, Program Director for the Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Program at Africa CDC, will support the team on legal aspects of the process.
The team will engage relevant Africa CDC Directorates and technical experts as the work progresses. This institution-wide approach will draw on expertise from across Africa CDC and ensure that its contributions remain anchored in the priorities articulated by AU Member States.
Africa CDC’s participation builds on the continent’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its collective voice in global health governance. In April 2026, during the World Health Summit Regional Meeting, Africa CDC supported African ministers in launching the African High-Level Ministerial Committee on Global Health Architecture Reform to consolidate African priorities and strengthen political coordination around the reform agenda.
“This selection is an important recognition of the growing role of Africa and its institutions in shaping global health,” Dr Kaseya said. “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.”
The Joint Task Force is co-chaired by Dr Yong Feng and Mr Björn Kümmel.
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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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