Brussels: Joo Louren§o, the Angolan president and current chair of the African Union, began his official agenda in Brussels, Belgium, early on Wednesday by granting audiences to two prominent European figures as part of the Summit on the Strategies of the Global Alliance for Vaccines (Gavi), which is taking place in Belgium. Before the formal opening of the summit in the late afternoon, the Angolan Head of State will meet with the President of the Gavi Board, Duro Barroso, and the President of the European Council, Ant³nio Costa. Both Barroso and Costa will also participate in the event.
According to Angola Press News Agency, in the early evening, President Joo Louren§o will speak at the summit. His speech is expected to focus on the growing need to strengthen routine immunization programs in Africa and the essential role of Gavi in ensuring equitable access to vaccines on the continent. The presence of the Angolan statesman underscores the strategic role of Angola and the African Union in the global health agenda. The country has stood out for defending fair access to vaccination and encouraging regional production of vaccines, with a special emphasis on the African Vaccine Alliance (AVMA).
The meeting marks the beginning of the process of replenishing Gavi’s resources for the new 2026-2030 cycle. Gavi is a public-private alliance that aims to save lives and protect public health by promoting equitable and sustainable access to vaccines in low-income countries. Co-hosted by the European Union and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the event represents an important milestone in the joint commitment to health and development in countries supported by Gavi.
Held under the theme ‘Global Summit: Health and Prosperity through Immunization’, the event brings together heads of state, leaders of multilateral organizations, international donors and representatives of civil society. Since its creation in 2000, Gavi has contributed to the immunization of more than one billion children and prevented more than 17 million deaths. By the 2026-2030 cycle, the Alliance aims to vaccinate an additional 500 million children, save more than eight million lives, respond to 150 outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases and generate more than 100 billion US dollars in global economic benefits.