The past three years have proven that we need to be better prepared for the next health threat. Inevitably, the global challenges of the next decade – climate change, conflict, and food insecurity – will have a ripple effect on the continent’s health and change our lives in unimaginable ways.
If we are to overcome these formidable challenges, we need to confront the status quo and ready ourselves for the future by rethinking our approach to climate and health. Countries and multilateral institutions cannot afford to continue with a business-as-usual approach. Instead, we must all unite to find inclusive and sustainable solutions that will address climate change, strengthen health systems, scale up health financing in the midst of economic crises and bridge the gap between the global north and south through equity, solidarity, and trust.
This year’s Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) 2023 will bring together the Africa’s top thought leaders, political figures, innovators, researchers, policy makers, health workers and community mobilisers for dialogue and action aimed at mainstreaming climate discourse into health policy conversations, and vice versa.
Jointly convened by Amref Health Africa, Ministry of Health Rwanda, African Union and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the biennial conference will provide a platform for Africa to bring global attention to the undeniable link between climate change and health as the world inches closer to the 2030 Global Goals deadline.
The conference will kick off with the AHAIC 2023 Wogging event on 5th March to coincide with the Kigali Car Free Day, which takes place every first and third Sunday of the month as part of efforts to make Kigali a green city and strengthen efforts to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This will be followed by three days of plenaries, high level meetings, workshops and networking sessions that will take place from 6th to 8th March.
“In the next 30 years, 1 in 5 people in the world will be African. Unless we invest in UHC and health security our aspiration to be the continent of the future will be challenged, so we must act now.”
Dr. Githinji Gitahi, Global CEO, Amref Health Africa Tweet
Why you must be at AHAIC 2023!
The most prominent African voices will challenge the status quo and find solutions for building resilient health systems in Africa. In a time where many global health convening systemically discriminate and diminish the contributions of Africans, AHAIC is committed to be global south inclusive.
No longer can we ignore the effects of climate change of the health of Africa’s people. We will have a dedicated green zone to build out Africa’s climate health agenda ahead of COP28.
We will venture outside the boardrooms and scientific spaces to push for tangible action in the lives of African people. From political leaders, governments and development partners to indigenous voices, activists and youth – everyone will build Africa’s health agenda.
From thoughtful panel discussions to storytelling sessions, high-level political declarations to provocative discussions, hallmark gatherings to human-centred design workshops – there is space for everyone to speak up!