Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The 2nd Africa–Caribbean Health Ministers’ Meeting concluded at the African Union Commission headquarters in Addis Ababa under the theme “Forward Together: One Voice, One Future.” Co-organized by HeDPAC in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and CARICOM, and hosted by the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia, the historic gathering brought together over 160 delegates from more than 55 countries, including Ministers of Health and Foreign Affairs, ambassadors, regional and global partners, and academia from both regions.

The meeting created a platform to share best practices, examine challenges, and identify actionable solutions across several key areas, primarily through government leadership to safeguard the right to health, which is a cornerstone for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The following were key areas discussed:

Accelerating progress towards UHC and SDG 3 by advancing the right to health through strong Primary Health Care (PHC) systems and leveraging the Universal Periodic Review to secure whole-of-government and whole-of-society commitment;
Strengthening health sovereignty through sustainable financing, local manufacturing, and health workforce development;
Exploring innovative financing mechanisms, including sin taxes and efficiency gains through civil service reforms and pooled procurement;
Expanding joint research efforts, clinical trial capacity, and cross-regional research partnerships
Building a sustainable platform for South–South partnerships and experience sharing to enhance resilience and ensure no community is left behind

Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister Adem Farah, in his opening speech, highlighted that South–South solidarity, self-reliance in medicines and vaccines, and coordinated investments are critical to achieve universal health coverage and health sovereignty. “We must urgently strengthen South–South solidarity, achieve self-reliance in medicines and vaccines, and coordinate investments to realize universal health coverage and health sovereignty,” he said.

Secretary General of CARICOM, Dr. Carla Barnett praised Africa’s support during COVID-19 and called for deeper collaboration. “Africa’s support during COVID-19 was invaluable. We must build on that solidarity and deepen Africa–Caribbean collaboration to address our shared challenges.”

Ambassador Amma Adomaa Twum-Amoah, AUC Commissioner for Health and Humanitarian Services, stressed that health is the foundation of security and prosperity, urging both regions to move from dialogue to concrete action on sustainable financing, workforce development, climate resilience, and digital health. “Health is the foundation of our security and prosperity. United by a shared destiny, both regions must act, investing in financing, workforce, digital innovation, and primary health care to withstand rising crises,” she emphasized.

In his remarks, Dr. Haileyesus Getahun, CEO of HeDPAC, emphasized the primacy of the right to health. “The Right to Health is not an aspiration but a duty. Governments must ensure universal health coverage through sound policies, sustainable financing, and collective action that places the needs of our people at the center.”

Ethiopia’s Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba emphasized that “Bound by history, Africa and the Caribbean must now turn solidarity into action, advancing PHC, sustainable financing, resilient systems, regional innovation, and a united global voice.” and urged participants to move from dialogue to action, reminding them that “the world is watching, and our people are waiting.”

In closing, H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi, AU Deputy Chairperson, commended the unity of purpose demonstrated throughout the meeting and stressed that investing in health is a political imperative and an expression of sovereignty. She urged both regions to transform cooperation into sustained political mobilization, with clear commitments to financing, workforce strengthening, and global advocacy.

H.E. Dr. Jerome Walcott, Minister of Health of Barbados, emphasized the need to deepen collaboration across universities and pharmaceutical capacity-building, while expressing appreciation to HeDPAC for fostering partnership.

Delegates shared experience from countries across the two regions, demonstrating how political will, innovation, and resilience can drive progress. Leaders reaffirmed that while Africa and the Caribbean are separated by geography, they are united by history and common challenges, including infectious and non-communicable diseases, climate change, and fragile health systems.

Ministers and delegates concluded that accelerating UHC through strengthening PHC, promoting sustainable domestic financing, expanding pooled procurement, boosting local production, harmonizing regulatory frameworks, and investing in digital innovation and governmental leadership is the highest priority. They also agreed to present a unified Africa–Caribbean voice in global health forums and to deepen cooperation on workforce development, research, including clinical trial capacity, and knowledge exchange.

Voice from the meeting:

Africa and Caribbean Health Ministers Unite for Stronger South–South Collaboration.