Fighting inequality through a renewed partnership with Africa was one of the five priorities of the G7 summit held less than a week ago in Biarritz, under heavy security measures that sealed off the city and the border between Spain and France. The G7 is made up of the United States, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, and France, which holds the Presidency this year.
Africa was invited and therefore included on the international agenda, highlighting the interest aroused by the neighboring continent. Five African countries were represented at the event: Egypt as the current Chair of the African Union (AU); Rwanda as the former Chair of the AU; South Africa as the incoming Chair of the AU; Senegal as the current leader of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD); and Burkina Faso as Chair of the G5 Sahel.
G7 meeting with African representatives in Biarritz. Photo: European Commission.
Following the working meeting, which was also attended by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Director-General of the International Monetary Fund, and the Presidents of the World Bank and the African Development Bank, a series of documents and a new framework for future relations between the G7 and Africa were approved. The discussion focused on finding ways to cooperate through the design of tools that contribute to sustainable economic development on the African continent.
The results include documents and measures that can be consulted in the official website of the Council of the European Union (EU), and include different areas:
International relations.
The Biarritz Declaration for a partnership between the G7 and Africa, signed on August 26, 2019, was approved. It includes a shared concern for peace and security, challenges such as poverty and access to health services and drinking water, in addition to the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda, without losing sight of the African Union's Agenda 2063.
Security.
A specific G-7 action plan for the Sahel has been agreed upon to enhance development and security cooperation.
Women.
The EU announced a financial contribution to the African Development Bank's Affirmative Action Financing for Women in Africa (AFAWA) program, with more than âŹ85 million for the development of 100,000 women-led businesses.
Inequality.
The leaders emphasized the importance of women's participation in the labor market and the education of girls and women, especially in developing countries, and also committed to advancing gender equality in specific areas of action.
Health.
The EU announced a âŹ550 million contribution to replenish the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. "This will bring our total commitment to more than âŹ1 billion," declared European Council President Donald Tusk at the start of the summit.
Sexual violence and conflicts.
The EU will also make an initial contribution of âŹ1 million to the International Fund for Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, which was launched at the G7 by 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureates Nadia Murad and Dr. Denis Mukwege.
TICAD7
Finally, the importance of the 7th Tokyo International Conference on Africa and Development (TICAD7), being held from August 28 to 30 in Japan, was emphasized.
We highlight:
The 5 health priorities by Yvonne Mburu
On the occasion of the G7, scientist and African health expert Yvonne Mburu, who is also the founder and executive director of Nexakili (a network of African health professionals and scientists on and off the continent) has published a feature article on the Brookings Institution blog, outlining the current five health priorities. Here's a translated summary, but you can also download it. read the original article here.
Alignment with Universal Health Coverage. Although there is a global consensus marked by Sustainable Development Goal 3, which promotes universal access to quality and affordable healthcare, a major obstacle remains: the healthcare financing gap. Therefore, all resources mobilized, both public and private, should be aligned with the universal health coverage (UHC) agenda. This seems obvious, but it is currently pending, which is why in countries with fewer resources, the necessary funds, including cooperation funds, are not yet being allocated to restructuring health systems and providing primary care.
Progressive and predictable withdrawal of donors. Investing in health results in a healthier and more productive population, which will drive economic growth, peace, and prosperity both nationally and globally. But this investment must be gradual, which is why donors must offer a sufficiently clear and predictable time horizon that supports the sustainability of health systems and the empowerment of each country in its own health agenda. Examples such as the public-private vaccine partnership in Senegal demonstrate that it is possible and successful.
Innovative African solutions. For the solutions implemented to be effective in every situation, be sustainable, and keep health as a priority, we must "let Africans lead the process." Therefore, Mburu points out that African partners must be leveraged to form a coalition that brings together the exchange of innovative solutions and best practices.
Defending health as a human right. Not only because it is increasingly demanded by citizen movements, but it must also be linked to the fight against gender and sexual inequalities. As the author explains, gender-sensitive health care approaches in Ethiopia and Rwanda have demonstrated great success in closing social, economic, and gender disparities in access to care.
Accelerate the response to epidemics. This has been further highlighted by the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has already claimed the lives of 1,800 people with 2,671 confirmed cases.
Written by Adriana Castro TerĂĄn. Communications Manager for Juan Ciudad NGO.
Sources used:
European Commission
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/es/meetings/international-summit/2019/08/24-26
Article by Yvonne Mburu. Health in Africa: 5 priorities for the G-7 Biarritz Summit
http://www.nexakili.com/publico/sobre.php
WHO Ebola Data
