United Nations General Assembly 2024 (UNGA 79)

#AmrefAtUNGA79 | #UNGA79

The 79^th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is a pivotal gathering of global leaders, policymakers, and influencers, setting the stage for transformative action on the world’s most pressing challenges. For the global health community, this year’s UNGA is especially critical as it focuses on urgent issues like pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and universal health coverage (UHC).

With health at the heart of the global agenda, UNGA provides us and our partners an unparalleled opportunity to rally political will, secure financial commitments, and foster collaboration. It’s a defining moment to shape the future of global health and fast-track progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We invite you to join the conversations online using the hashtags #AmrefAtUNGA79 and #UNGA79, and connect with us via X and LinkedIn.

Side-Events

Advancing Political Commitments on Climate and Health Financing: Where Is the Global South Voice?

Co-hosts: Amref Health Africa, Africa-Europe Foundation, and Pan Africa Climate Justice Alliance.

This event addresses critical gaps in climate financing and explores innovative mechanisms to ensure funds effectively reach communities on the ground, particularly in Africa. The discussion will emphasise the integration of health as a central component of climate action, advocating for a fair, equitable, and non-debt burdening approach to financing. With the growing recognition of the climate-health connection, the event aims to build momentum toward aligning global commitments on climate finance ahead of COP29 and COP30.

The ultimate goal is to develop a joint Africa-Europe Climate-Health Roadmap, placing health at the heart of climate negotiations. Key issues such as the new Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance and the loss and damage fund will be addressed, with a focus on ensuring health plays a pivotal role in climate resilience and sustainable development efforts.

From Talk to Action: Harnessing Multi-Sectoral Synergies for Collective Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Host: Amref Health Africa (Closed Session)

AMR poses a significant threat to global health, disproportionately affecting low and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa. The burden of AMR is set to rise drastically, with Africa projected to account for 40% of the 10 million annual AMR-related deaths by 2050. Addressing this challenge requires a multi-sectoral approach that integrates human, animal, plant, and environmental health—often referred to as the One Health response.

In this session, Amref Health Africa will lead a high-level roundtable to explore the gaps and opportunities in implementing national and regional AMR action plans. The event will convene key stakeholders from the animal, plant, environment, and human health sectors to discuss the findings from the AMR Landscape Analysis commissioned by Amref Health Africa. This analysis offers insights into current efforts, challenges, and actionable solutions for operationalising multi-sectoral responses to AMR in Africa.

Stepping Up to the Challenge: Scaling Up Local Solutions to AMR

Co-hosts: Devex, Amref Health Africa and GSK

As antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens global health progress and is projected to cause 10 million annual deaths by 2050, it is critical to strengthen local capacity and raise awareness through a One Health approach that addresses human, animal, and environmental health. The session will explore existing community-led solutions and strategies for scaling these efforts, particularly in Africa, which bears the highest AMR burden.

This event will also emphasise the role of primary health care, the health workforce, and community-led efforts in tackling AMR. The discussion will highlight lessons learned from the GSK-Amref partnership and explore how organisations like Amref can support community players in driving action on AMR.

The event will be held both online and in-person.

Breaking Through: Building Stronger Multi-Sectoral and Integrated Programming With and For Youth

Co-hosts: Y-ACT, Amref Health Africa, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Population Services International (PSI) and International Youth Foundation (IYF)

Today’s youth and adolescents face challenges that span multiple aspects of their lives—health, economic empowerment, social support, and the need for meaningful engagement in decision-making. They are calling for integrated solutions that address these areas collectively, not in silos. While it’s easy to commit to integrated programming, turning these promises into reality is far more complex.

In a world that often overlooks the value of young people’s skills, expertise, and experiences, it’s time to shift the paradigm. Youth must be part of decision-making processes that affect their futures. This dynamic session will bring together key stakeholders—youth, NGOs, governments, funders, and multilaterals—to explore ways to break through the barriers preventing progress. Through powerful youth testimonials and engaging panel discussions, the event will craft actionable recommendations for how the global community can meet the holistic needs of the next generation.

Don’t miss this opportunity to amplify youth voices and drive sustainable change. Will you be attending the UNGA sessions in New York?

Leadership of African Institutions in the Movement to End Neglected Tropical Diseases (Closed Session)

Co-hosts: End Fund, Amref, & AUDA-NEPAD.

This reception at the margins of the UN General Assembly is an opportunity to highlight the transformative power of African leadership and strategic partnerships in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). This event will emphasise the critical role that institutions like the African Union, Africa CDC, and WHO’s African Regional Office play in eliminating NTDs, demonstrating that progress would be impossible without their commitment and the vital support of global and African philanthropy. These partnerships have been instrumental in reaching the areas of greatest need, where other funding sources are scarce and have empowered African institutions to lead the charge against NTDs.

The reception will also create space for key players such as Amref Health Africa, Africa CDC, and WHO AFRO to enhance relationships and align efforts with partners like the END Fund. Strong, trust-based partnerships centred on local leadership are crucial for scaling impact, attracting greater support, and driving progress in combating NTDs. This event also seeks to deepen collaborations and build a powerful movement that matches the scale of the challenge ahead, ensuring that African institutions are at the forefront of the global effort to eliminate NTDs.