UNAIDS convenes African leaders to build health sovereignty and regional production of essential medicines

NEW YORK/GENEVA, 24 September 2026-The Joint United Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the African Union Development Agency (NEPAD) and partners have convened African ministers, government leaders, private sector, and international organizations to drive a shared agenda for health sovereignty and speed-up African production of cutting-edge medicines and health technologies for HIV and other pandemics.

The event, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, focused on how Africa can accelerate access to life-saving health technologies through stronger regional manufacturing, regulatory cooperation and political leadership.

As well as UNAIDS and AUDA-NEPAD, partners included the Government of Côte d'Ivoire, Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania and the Global Council on AIDS, Inequality and Pandemics.

Participants pointed to scientific breakthroughs, such as long-acting HIV prevention medicines, mRNA vaccine technologies and new shorter TB treatments as they laid out ways to better translate science into access for all.

"Africa cannot remain at the back of the line when life-saving medicines exist," said the Executive Director of UNAIDS Winnie Byanyima.

Tiémoko Meyliet Kone, Vice President of Cote D'Iovire told participants, "Health sovereignty involves strengthening our ability to secure our supplies, consolidate our production capacity, innovate and contribute fully to global health solutions."

Ministers and agency heads identified actions across a number of priorities for advancing health sovereignty across the continent.

Discussing actions to harmonize markets and build a more coordinated regulatory environment, Zambia's Health Minister Roma Chilengi said, "Technical know-how on the continent has grown, political will is now a given…we must move beyond colonial era dependence."

In a discussion on expanding production capacity, South Africa's Joe Phaahlaa, Deputy Minister of Health, reflected on lessons from Biovac's experience during COVID-19. "Local Manufacturing needs predictable demand, pooled procurement and investment to be sustainable."

The Director General of NEPAD, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, called for greater alignment between political ambition and implementation, noting that fragmented markets continue to limit the scale and predictability needed for African manufacturers to invest in advanced production.

Government leaders from Europe and Latin America outlined actions to build a new model of global cooperation, based on equity, partnership and shared responsibility.

Adriano Massuda, Executive Secretary of Health of Brazil said, " Under the Brazil G20 presidency, we launched a global coalition for local and regional production, innovation, and equitable access to strengthen global cooperation, technology transfer, and local and regional manufacturing capacities. As President Lula says, 'Africa is a key partner in this agenda. Brazil is ready to deepen South-South cooperation with African countries'."

Florence Anam, Executive Director of the Global Network of People Living with HIV, reminded the audience that "Availability is not access."

Participants recognized the importance of the African Medicines Agency, the African Continental Free Trade Area and pooled procurement mechanisms in creating larger, more predictable markets for African-produced health technologies.

A recurring theme throughout the discussions was the unique value of UNAIDS in bringing together leaders across sectors who would not otherwise be at the same table.

"The coordination and convening of these high-level dignitaries around this table, from government, the private sector and beyond, is evidence of the value that many of us see in UNAIDS," said Douglas Bosire, Chief Executive Officer of the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council, Kenya. "Convening bold political commitment and leadership is key to resolving the issues we have discussed here. Without this gathering, we would simply be talking amongst ourselves."

The event reinforced that achieving health sovereignty is not only about medicines and manufacturing. It also requires trusted institutions, political leadership, regional cooperation and meaningful engagement with communities.

UNAIDS will continue to convene governments, industry, civil society and international partners to turn scientific progress into equitable access and better health outcomes for all.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations-UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank-and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.