INVITATION TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

What: Second Meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH)

When: Wednesday and Thursday, 4-5 March 2026

Where: Double Tree Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya

Who: Convened by the African Union Commission (AUC) through the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development

Participants include:

• AU Member States Experts representing the five AU regions (Morocco – Northern Region; Togo – Western Region; Seychelles – Eastern Region; Zimbabwe – Southern Region; Burundi – Central Region)
• African Union Commission representatives (Secretariat of the TAC for RMNCAH)
• Regional Economic Communities (RECs), including West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO) and the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC)
• Development partners and stakeholders including UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF and IPPF

Background:
The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for RMNCAH was established to provide technical guidance, reviews and strategic recommendations to the Specialized Technical Committee on Health, Nutrition, Population and Drug Control (STC-HNPDC) on matters relating to reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health across the continent

The TAC builds on key continental commitments, including:

• The 2010 AU Assembly Declaration on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health
• The Africa Health Strategy 2016–2030
• The revised Maputo Plan of Action (2016–2030)
• The CARMMA Plus Roadmap (2021–2030)
• The AU Roadmap to 2030 on Sustaining the AIDS Response and Strengthening Health Systems

Despite progress, Africa still accounts for approximately 70% of global maternal deaths, with most of these deaths being preventable. Current progress remains insufficient to meet the Sustainable Development Goal target of reducing the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030

The Second Meeting of the TAC for RMNCAH will review and adopt its Terms of Reference (ToR), elect rotating leadership, assess continental progress, and develop a comprehensive workplan for 2026–2028. The meeting will also prepare strategic recommendations to inform deliberations at the 6th STC-HNPDC in 2026

Objectives of the event are to:

1. Review and adopt the revised Terms of Reference and implementation modalities
2. Elect the TAC leadership, in line with the three-year rotational mandate
3. Take stock of continental progress on RMNCAH and consolidate strategic recommendations
4. Identify key priorities and develop the 2026–2028 workplan
5. Agree on timelines and preparations for the next physical meeting

Expected outcomes include:

1. Adoption of TAC leadership, governance structure and membership
2. Agreement on key priorities and recommendations for the STC-HNPDC
3. Development of the 2026 Plan of Action for the RMNCAH TAC

Participation at the event:
Attendance for members of the press is by invitation only.

Media representatives are invited to submit requests to attend or interview delegates to:

• Mr. Derrick Oduck Ochuot | Strategic Communication Expert, African Union Commission | Email: OchuotD@africanunion.org | Web: www.au.int

INVITATION TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

What: High-Level Side Event on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit under the theme: “Strengthening Integrated WASH-RMNCAH Systems through Digital and Data-Driven Approaches to Advance the Maputo Plan of Action and CARMMA Plus.”

When: Friday, 13 February 2026, from 1300 hrs. to 1600 hrs. (EAT)

Where: Hilton Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Who: Organized by the African Union Commission (AUC) – Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development

Participants:

• Heads of State and Government
• Ministers of Health of AU Member States
• African Union Commission and Africa CDC
• Regional Economic Communities
• National Digital Health Agencies
• Development partners and donors
• Civil society organizations and NGOs
• Digital health innovators, private sector, and academia
• Regional and continental health experts

Background:
On the margins of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit, the African Union Commission will convene a High-Level Side Event to spotlight the transformative role of digital health technologies in accelerating progress toward improved Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) outcomes in Africa.

Despite decades of investment and scientific progress, Africa continues to bear a disproportionate burden of global maternal and child mortality. In 2023, the continent recorded an estimated maternal mortality ratio of 442 deaths per 100,000 live births, accounting for nearly two-thirds of global maternal deaths. Neonatal mortality remains a critical challenge, with over one million preventable neonatal deaths occurring annually across Africa.

The event is convened within the framework of the African Union Theme of the Year 2026: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.” It highlights how digital and data-driven solutions can strengthen integrated WASH-RMNCAH systems, improve service delivery, enhance real-time monitoring, and support accountability across the continuum of care.

The side event further aligns with the Maputo Plan of Action (2016-2030), the CARMMA Plus Campaign, and the African Union Digital Health Strategy 2024-2030, positioning digital health as a key enabler for resilient, people-centered, and equitable health systems.

A key highlight of the event will be the official launch of the CARMMA Plus Website, a continental digital hub designed to enhance visibility, coordination, and accountability in efforts to end preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths in Africa.

Objectives of the event are to:

1. Sustain high-level political commitment to leveraging digital health technologies to advance RMNCAH outcomes in Africa
2. Promote integrated digital solutions that strengthen WASH–RMNCAH systems across the continuum of care

• Raise awareness of the African Union Digital Health Strategy 2024-2030 and its application at country level

1. Strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration among governments, partners, innovators, and civil society
2. Officially launch the CARMMA Plus Website as a continental digital platform for advocacy, learning, and accountability

Expected outcomes include:

1. Increased visibility of digital health as a catalyst for improved RMNCAH and WASH outcomes
2. Strengthened political and institutional commitment to scaling digital health solutions across AU Member States

• Enhanced alignment among governments, development partners, and innovators on digital health investments

1. Actionable recommendations to accelerate the adoption and scale-up of digital health technologies for RMNCAH
2. Official operationalization of the CARMMA Plus Website

Participation at the event:
Attendance for members of the press is by invitation only.

Media representatives are invited to submit requests to attend or interview delegates to:

• Mr. Derrick Oduck Ochuot | Strategic Communication Expert, African Union Commission | Email: OchuotD@africanunion.org | Web: www.au.int

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
Web: www.au.int  | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

INVITATION TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

What: High-level Side Event under the theme “Reaffirming Africa’s Commitment to Immunization: A Call for Action to Strengthen Health Systems.’

When: Monday, February 16, 2025, from 18:00 to 21:00 EAT

Where: Sheraton Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Who: Hosted by the Republic of Sierra Leone, the African Union Commission, Africa CDC, Gavi, WHO, and UNICEF

Background:
On the sidelines of the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly, this high-level side event will focus on Africa’s progress in immunization and the way forward. The event aims to renew Africa’s commitment to achieving universal immunization, following the endorsement of the Addis Declaration on Immunization (ADI). This declaration paved the way for accelerated immunization efforts across the continent.

The session will highlight achievements made since the ADI’s inception in 2017, such as improved immunization coverage, increased political will, and enhanced vaccine delivery systems. However, challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on immunization programs, inequities in vaccine access, and barriers to domestic financing still persist. The event will also focus on the importance of strengthening primary health care systems to ensure equitable vaccine access and bolster Africa’s capacity to address health crises.

Objectives of the Event:

1. Present the findings of the ADI progress report and assess Africa’s immunization coverage improvements.
2. Renew Africa’s political commitment to immunization by highlighting its importance in improving health systems and reducing child mortality.
3. Address the barriers hindering immunization, especially amid pandemics and emerging health threats.
4. Strengthen partnerships for immunization advocacy and call for increased domestic investments in immunization programs.

Expected Outcomes:

1. A communique urging African leaders to accelerate efforts for universal immunization, including enhanced partnerships and political commitment.
2. Reaffirmation of commitments to achieve ADI goals, with a focus on expanding vaccine access, addressing vaccine equity, and increasing domestic funding.
3. A clear call to action for renewed focus on immunization, with heightened awareness among global and regional stakeholders.

Participation at the event:
Attendance for members of the press is by invitation only

INVITATION TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

What: Africa Conference on Childcare under the theme “Building Partnerships for Accelerating Action Towards Quality and Inclusive Childcare in Africa

When: Wednesday to Friday, 18–20 June 2025

Where: African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Who: Organized by the African Union Commission’s Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with Africa Early Childhood Network and partners.

Background:
Africa is home to the youngest population in the world, with an estimated 650 million children in 2021 and projections reaching 1 billion by 2055. In light of this demographic trend, the Africa Conference on Childcare seeks to rally key actors and stakeholders to prioritize, invest in, and implement comprehensive childcare systems that promote early childhood development (ECD) across the continent.

Anchored in the aspirations of Agenda 2063, Agenda 2040, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the conference aims to forge strong partnerships, enhance multisectoral collaboration, and consolidate ongoing efforts across African Union Member States to ensure that every African child has access to quality, inclusive, and affordable childcare services.

Objectives of the Event:

1. Raise awareness and political commitment toward the childcare development agenda across Africa.
2. Strengthening partnerships among governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector for improved childcare systems.
3. Advocate for increased and sustainable funding, including domestic resource mobilization, to support childcare initiatives.
4. Showcase best practices and innovative models from countries that have made strides in childcare development.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Renewed political and financial commitment toward advancing childcare in Africa.
2. Enhanced collaboration among key sectors and stakeholders.
3. Documentation and sharing of successful models and practices in childcare across Africa.
4. A strong continental call to action for scaling up childcare efforts.

Participation at the event:
Attendance for members of the press is by invitation only.