The social, economic, and political impacts of COVID-19 are unprecedented in scale and have exposed the weaknesses in the global health system.
The ACT-Accelerator — the global platform for collaboration on COVID-19 response — launched its financing framework this month, outlining clear and urgent grant financing asks and expectations of fair share voluntary contributions.
One of the important lessons of COVID-19 to African countries is that the continent cannot rely on the goodwill and charity of rich countries — including Europe — for its own health security.
While EU member states and companies have signed agreements and developed partnerships in support of the manufacturing agenda with different African countries — Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa among others — and have committed to strengthen Africa’s continental health security through Africa CDC and to support Africa’s regulatory framework, the EU has once again, in a cautiously worded statement, hesitated to expressly heed the call by AU member states to support a temporary waiver of IP rights at the World Trade Organization.
The outcomes and partnership provide good potential for health systems strengthening, but the multilateral partnership between the blocs will succeed or fail based on the commitment both sides show to working together and living up to the Summit Joint Vision — and how quickly Europe can put words and pledges into action.