Morocco has been selected to host the fourth International Conference on Public Health in Africa Opens in 2024.
This year’s third CPHIA was attended by over 5,100 participants, including African Heads of State, Ministers of health, leading scientists, innovators, among others, from over 90 countries held in Lusaka, Zambia, from November 27-30 with the theme “Breaking Barriers: Repositioning Africa in the global health architecture.”
The Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jean Kaseya announced this at the closing ceremony of the 2023 CPHIA on Thursday.
Kaseya said, “I have the privilege and the honour on behalf of the 1.4 billion Africans, on behalf of my colleagues from Africa CDC to announce that the next CPHIA will be hosted for the first time by a Francophone country, in a northern country – that is Morocco.”
The Africa CDC DG stated that it is evident that Africa is breaking barriers in global health and creating a movement of African scientists, policymakers, healthcare workers, Non-governmental Organisations, and civil societies.
While appreciating the government of the Republic of Zambia, scientists, healthcare workers, CSOs, and the youth for their dedication and contributions to improving public health in Africa, he said the past four days have been inspiring to witness the powerful public health conversations and collaborations.
The annual CPHIA provides a unique African-led platform for leaders across the continent to reflect on lessons learned in health and science, and align on a way forward for creating more resilient health systems.
The first CPHIA held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic from December 14-16, 2021.
In December 2022, 2,800 scientists, policymakers, and advocates from around the world gathered in person in Kigali, Rwanda, for the second CPHIA to spotlight African science and innovation, and strengthen local, regional and global collaboration, with an additional 11,625 participants joining the main conference sessions online via the live stream.
The second CPHIA was themed “Preparedness for future Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Recovery: Africa at a Crossroad.”
The Minister of Health of Morocco, Prof Khalid Aït Taleb said the country is delighted to host next year’s CPHIA, and the country looks forward to welcoming all Africans in 2024.