Policy Updates

On July 30, 2024, the EDCTP published their Annual Report 2023, presented progress made during the first 20 years of the EDCTP programs, and highlighted future plans.

The report showcased key achievements in disease prevention and treatment, such as the WHO recommendation of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, progress in HIV-related disease treatments, and new findings in TB immunity that could influence future vaccine development.

Research supported by EDCTP has led to new treatment options for neglected infectious diseases, benefiting vulnerable populations, including young children. The report underscored EDCTP's contributions to strengthening national systems for clinical research oversight in SSA.

On August 20, 2024, USAID announced an additional US$35 million in emergency relief to help address the Mpox response in Central and Eastern Africa.

The resources bring the total commitment for the Mpox response to affected countries to US$55 million. The assistance includes:

• Surveillance;
• Diagnostics;
• Communications;
• Engagement with communities;
• Prevention;
• Case management; and
• Vaccinations.

The Mpox outbreak started in 2023 in the DRC and has since spread across the region. The outbreak caused the WHO to declare a public health emergency of international concern, and the Africa CDC to issue a public health declaration.

The funding is subject to congressional notification.

On August 19, 2024, the Norwegian government launched its new strategy for engagement on the African continent.

Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide noted that Norway's relationship with many African countries covers a wide range of interests, such as security policy, multilateral issues, cooperation on solving global challenges, and economic cooperation. The aim is to strengthen political and economic cooperation through partnerships based on equality, mutual interests, knowledge, and understanding.

The government outlined five specific areas of focus in the strategy:

• Multilateral and regional cooperation: Strengthen cooperation in multilateral forums, enhance African representation, and continue close collaboration with the AU;
• Security and peace efforts: Support African-led peace initiatives, integrate gender perspectives in decision-making, and bolster cooperation with the AU and UN on security;
• Democracy, human rights, and gender equality: Promote democracy, human rights, and gender equality through civil society engagement, justice reform, and educational access;
• Business, clean energy, and knowledge: Boost economic cooperation, promote Norwegian solutions, and support renewable energy development in African markets; and
• Climate, environment, food security, and health: Collaborate on climate action, sustainable food systems, and resilient health systems to address environmental and health challenges.

On July 18, 2024, PALM10 took place, co-chaired by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, with leaders and representatives from 19 countries and regions, including Japan, 14 Pacific Island countries, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Australia, and New Zealand.

The meeting focused on seven main topics aligned with the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy, which entailed:

• Political leadership and regionalism;
• People-centered development;
• Peace and security;
• Resources and economic development;
• Climate change and disasterss;
• Ocean and environment; and
• Technology and connectivity.

The leaders discussed regional and international affairs, reaffirming the Japan-Pacific partnership and adopting the PALM10 Leaders’ Declaration and Joint Action Plan.

Key sessions included:

• Opening Session: Kishida emphasized Japan's commitment to elevate relations and support the region's unity under the 2050 Strategy;
• Session 1: Focused on development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Japan surpassed its previous commitment, developing human resources for 7,500 people. Discussions included the safety of ALPS treated water discharge;
• Session 2: Addressed climate change and disaster resilience. Kishida announced the Pacific Climate Resilience Initiative with three pillars: disaster risk reduction, promoting decarbonization, and supporting Pacific-led efforts. Efforts to combat illegal fishing and maintain a stable Pacific Ocean were also emphasized;
• Session 3: Focused on people-centered development, economic development, and technology. Japan committed to continuing support in education, health, and infrastructure development, including submarine cables;
• Working Lunch Agenda 1: Discussed international cooperation for peace and security, upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific" and addressing issues like UN Security Council reform and North Korean threats; and
• Working Lunch Agenda 2: Kishida pledged further development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges for 6,500 people through 2027.

The meeting concluded with reaffirmations of partnership and future cooperation plans, highlighting the mutual commitment to tackling regional challenges and fostering development.

On August 16, 2024, after a new round of budgetary conflict, the German government reached an agreement on a final budget draft for 2025, with BMZ and AA funding remaining unchanged despite calls for additional cuts to development funding.

The budget specified details on budgetary lines for international organizations. Organizations that are impacted by significant cuts include the GPEI, whose funding was cut by 45.9% to EUR20 million (US$18 million) in 2025, UNFPA, whose funding was cut by 17.6% to EUR30 million (US$27 million), and UNICEF, whose funding was reduced by 8.3% to EUR55 million (US$50 million). Funding for other organizations remained stable or decreased moderately.

The budget set out the planned German contribution to the 21^st replenishment of IDA. The government committed EUR1.6 billion (US$1.4 billion), matching the government's pledge to the previous funding round.

On August 15, 2024, Dr. Minouche Shafik resigned as president of Columbia University and announced plans to return to the UK to lead an FCDO review of the UK government’s approach to international development, focusing on improving capability.

Dr. Shafik was the permanent secretary at the since-abolished DFID from March 2008 to March 2011. After that, she took up posts at the World Bank, IMF, and the Bank of England. She previously served as president of the London School of Economics. Dr. Shafik is the third president of an Ivy League university to resign over the handling of Gaza war protests.

Dr. Shafik is expected to be responsible for one of three full-scale reports on UK foreign policy that will be commissioned by Foreign Minister David Lammy.

On August 14, 2024, Canada announced public consultations to strengthen their partnerships across the African continent in line with their FFP and FIAP.

The consultation's thematic areas include:

• Shared prosperity and collaborating on global priorities;
• Poverty reduction;
• Humanitarian crisis assistance;
• Support for women and youth; and
• Strengthening peace and security.

Participants are encouraged to review the consultation information and provide feedback by September 15, 2024.

On August 13 and 14, 2024, Japan signed and exchanged notes for grant agreements totaling JPY1.6 billion (US$11 million) with several countries, including Togo, Gambia, Lesotho, South Sudan, and Palestine, focusing on food assistance.

The funds were outlined as:

• Togo: JPY250 million (US$2 million) to improve food security, particularly for rice, addressing issues stemming from inadequate agricultural infrastructure and economic challenges;
• Gambia: JPY250 million (US$2 million) to bolster food security, especially in rural areas affected by high food prices and climate change;
• Lesotho: JPY200 million (US$1 million), in collaboration with the WFP, to address severe food insecurity exacerbated by natural disasters and economic issues;
• South Sudan: JPY500 million (US$3 million), provided through the WFP, to address the country’s worsening food crisis due to floods and the return of refugees; and
• Palestine: JPY400 million (US$3 million) via the WFP to address the urgent food crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by ongoing conflict and economic challenges.

These initiatives align with Japan’s commitment to addressing food crises and supporting sustainable agricultural practices, as emphasized in the 2022 TICAD8 and the 2023 G7 Hiroshima Summit.

On August 14, 2024, the EC announced measures to procure and donate Mpox vaccine doses via the Africa CDC as an immediate response to the regional outbreak.

HERA will procure and donate 175,420 doses of the MVA-BN vaccine, which is the sole Mpox vaccine approved by both the FDA and the EMA.

The pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic will also contribute 40,000 doses to HERA. The Africa CDC will allocate the vaccines according to the regional needs of the affected countries.

On August 14, 2024, Japan approved a JPY3.9 billion (US$27 million) grant aid project to improve the Guido Valadares National Hospital in Timor-Leste.

This initiative seeks to address health challenges in Timor-Leste, where both communicable and non-communicable diseases remain significant issues, and to improve the nation's healthcare system. Specifically, the grant aims to enhance the hospital's medical services, particularly in surgical and perinatal departments, by upgrading facilities and providing medical equipment.