Ethiopia urges African cooperation on health sovereignty at WHO regional meeting
Ethiopia’s health minister called for stronger African cooperation and resilient health systems as delegates attending WHO Africa’s 76th regional committee session took part in a public health walk in Addis Ababa.
In short
- Ethiopia’s health minister called for stronger African cooperation and resilient health systems as delegates attending WHO Africa’s 76th regional committee session took part in a public health walk in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia has urged African countries to deepen cooperation on health security and reduce the continent’s vulnerability to external shocks, as officials gathered in Addis Ababa for the World Health Organization’s 76th Regional Committee for Africa session.
Health Minister Mekdes Daba called for collective action to protect what she described as Africa’s health sovereignty and to build more resilient national and regional health systems, according to reporting by the Ethiopian News Agency carried by AllAfrica on August 24, 2026.
The appeal came during the RC76 gathering in the Ethiopian capital. On Sunday, August 23, participants joined a symbolic public health walk from the Adwa Victory Memorial to Meskel Square under the WHO’s “Walk the Talk” initiative, intended to promote physical activity and healthier lifestyles.
The Addis Ababa meeting places continental coordination at the centre of discussions over Africa’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to health threats. Ethiopia’s message emphasised shared action among governments rather than isolated national responses.
