Johannesburg, South Africa – 04 November, 2024 – As the World Health Organization’s Global Pandemic Agreement nears a conclusion—potentially by December 2024 or May 2025 at the latest—the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is calling on African leaders to ensure the agreement addresses the unique needs of the Global South. While the Agreement is designed to improve pandemic preparedness, the current draft perpetuates global health inequalities by failing to guarantee timely access to vaccines, technology transfer, and sufficient financial support for low- and middle-income countries.

“The stakes couldn’t be higher for Africa,” says Ngaa Murombedzi, AHF Regional Advocacy and Policy Manager for Southern Africa. “An equitable Pandemic Agreement is not a request but a necessity. COVID-19 revealed the devastating risks of global health inequality, and we cannot afford a repeat. This Agreement must empower all nations with the tools, technology, and resources they need. Africans cannot wait for handouts in a crisis; we must be empowered to act.”

Background and Urgency

The Global Pandemic Agreement was initiated in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to create a unified global framework for future health emergencies. However, after two years of negotiations, major issues remain unresolved, with the draft heavily influenced by high-income countries and pharmaceutical interests. As the talks progress from 4 to 15 November, the time to secure a fair deal is running out.

AHF’s Save Our Society (SOS) campaign is mobilising awareness actions across Africa, urging leaders to demand equitable terms in the Agreement. The upcoming negotiations represent a critical opportunity to address disparities and ensure fair access to pandemic response resources.

Critical Concerns for the Global South

The current draft Agreement falls short in three essential areas for Africa:

1. Vaccine Access and Equity: The proposed terms allocate only 20% of global vaccine supplies to the Global South, despite its large population. During the COVID-19 crisis, 85% of African countries couldn’t fully vaccinate their populations because wealthy nations hoarded vaccines. The ongoing Mpox crisis further highlights this disparity, with Africa needing 20 million vaccines that remain inaccessible.

   “An equitable agreement could be a lifesaver, but only if it’s truly inclusive,” says Aggrey Aluso, Africa Regional Director at the Pandemic Action Network. “Equity and access must be non-negotiable to institutionalise the lessons from COVID-19. These issues remain deadlocked, and we need immediate action.”

2. Self-Reliance and Local Production: Africa’s ability to manufacture essential health products is still limited by restricted technology transfers. Without provisions to establish regional manufacturing hubs, the continent will continue to depend on external suppliers.

   John Mdluli, Lead of SAHTAC and Community Manager at the Aurum Institute, explains: “South Africa played a pivotal role in testing vaccines, yet the Global South still cannot produce them at scale. By 2040, we should be manufacturing 60% of our vaccines locally, but that requires a solid regulatory framework, investment, and scalability.”

3. Sustainable Financing: Current provisions rely on voluntary contributions, which have historically fallen short of Africa’s needs. AHF is advocating for binding financial commitments to ensure sustainable support for health systems and pandemic preparedness.

Call to Action for Africa’s Leaders

AHF is urging African leaders to stand firm in the negotiations, demanding an Agreement that prioritises equity, technology transfer, local production, and sustainable funding. The goal is to build a robust foundation for health security, reducing Africa’s dependence on external suppliers and ensuring readiness for future crises.

“What affects one affects all,” says Murombedzi. “Pandemics know no borders. This Agreement should embody the principle of ‘One Health,’ balancing the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. Our leaders must demand fair access and the right to produce locally.”

With the G20 Summit coming to South Africa in 2025, AHF and its partners stress the importance of elevating these issues if an equitable Pandemic Agreement cannot be reached soon. The time to advocate for a fairer, more resilient future for global health is now.

About AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global non-profit organisation providing advanced medicine and advocacy to over 2 million people in 47 countries. To learn more about AHF, visit https://www.aidshealth.org/global/south-africa/, follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ahfsouthafrica, and connect with us on X at @ahfsouthafrica and Instagram at @aidshealthcare.

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AHF Warns Africa: Demand Equitable Pandemic Agreement!
With the WHO Pandemic Agreement nearing finalisation, Africa must act now to ensure fair access to vaccines, technology, and funding. Time is running out—equity is non-negotiable!

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