The 49th General Assembly of the Global Fund Board was held on Monday, May 8, 2023 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Bringing together the various boards of directors from Europe, America, Asia and Africa, this international meeting allowed discussion on numerous development strategies.
The African delegation, led by Dr. Jean-Jacques Mbungani Mbanda, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Constituency Bureau (ACB) of the Global Fund, was representative of some twenty administrators from East Africa. West and Center as well as those in the East and South.
It was essential for the continent to speak with one voice at this conference in Vietnam. The African delegates therefore met in order to refine the latest strategies and agree on the essential points and the terms of reference which were the subject of this international meeting.
During this General Assembly, Dr. Jean-Jacques Mbungani pleaded in favor of the supply of locally produced medicines as well as for the policy of strengthening local capacities and regional and continental structures such as Africa CDC with the support of the African Union.
The African Council also spoke with the Commonwealth Development Office in order to exchange with delegates from the private sector, the General Inspectorate of the Fund, the Councils of Germany, France and England for specific discussions.
This session was an opportunity for the African delegation to advocate for Africa as discussed earlier at the Addis Ababa meeting. Dr. Jean-Jacques Mbungani therefore spoke, placing particular emphasis on the importance of the involvement of local governments in the fight against the diseases of tuberculosis, HIV and malaria.
This meeting, which is only the first step in a series of discussions, is taking place on the sidelines of the actual session of the 49th General Assembly which will take place from May 10 to 11, 2023 in Hanoi. It will see the participation of all the Boards of the world as well as donors and other stakeholders of the Global Fund.
On the occasion of this general assembly, it is important to underline that Africa has two seats among the 28 available on the board of directors of the Global Fund