Africa-Press – Angola. Bilateral cooperation and the European Union (EU) support for the Lobito Corridor, through the Global Gateway initiative, were the main topics addressed at the audience that Angolan Head of State João Lourenço granted to the European Council President, António Costa on Wednesday in Brussels.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the High-Level Summit of the Global Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), focused on strategies for the 2026-2030 period, which brought together world leaders in the Belgian capital.
Speaking to the press at the end of the meeting, António Costa underlined the strategic role of the Lobito Corridor for regional economic integration and reaffirmed the EU”s commitment to financing this structuring infrastructure in Southern Africa.
During the meeting, issues related to cooperation between Angola and the European Union were also discussed, as well as preparations for the next European Union-African Union Summit, scheduled for November this year in Luanda.
Vaccines and local production in Africa
Asked about European support for the construction of vaccine factories in Africa, the President of the European Council confirmed that industrial units are already under development in Rwanda and South Africa, as part of the EU-led international effort to strengthen local production capacity.
“These factories are under construction, and I believe that those in Nigeria are also planned. Safely, by the end of the decade, we will be achieving this goal of African production,” said António Costa.
He also highlighted Europe commitment to global health security and the importance of investing in vaccines, as a way to save lives and combat threats such as obscurantism and populism.
Financial commitments and optimism for the future of Gavi
Regarding the resources mobilized during the summit, António Costa indicated that, despite the lack of an announcement from some donors, the scenario is positive.
“Gavi shared that she is confident of reaching the goal. Between the European Union and its member states alone, we already have a commitment of 2 billion euros, which is equivalent to more than 2 billion dollars,” he revealed.
The funding target for Gavi new cycle (2026-2030) is $9 billion. António Costa also highlighted the growing adhesion of partners, such as Canada and Asian countries, to the global effort.
Meeting with the United Kingdom
In another audience, also on the sidelines of the summit, President João Lourenço met with the new UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy. The conversation focused on topics of common interest in the context of bilateral relations and international cooperation. Lammy did not speak to the press at the end of the match.
The Angolan Head of State has completed a 24-hour visit to Belgium and will return to Luanda later this Wednesday.
Angola and African leadership in global health
João Lourenço participation reinforced the strategic role of Angola and the African Union in the global health agenda, standing out for the defense of equitable access to vaccines and the promotion of regional production of immunizers within the scope of the African Vaccine Alliance (AVMA).
Under the motto “Global Summit: Health and Prosperity through Immunization”, the event brought together heads of state, multilateral leaders, international donors and representatives of civil society. The summit was co-hosted by the European Union and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Since its inception in 2000, Gavi has immunized more than a billion children and saved more than 17 million lives. For the next strategic cycle, it is expected to vaccinate 500 million children, save more than 8 million lives, and respond to 150 preventable disease outbreaks, with global economic benefits estimated at more than $100 billion.
About Gavi
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Gavi is a public-private alliance that integrates governments, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the World Bank, the pharmaceutical industry, and civil society organizations. Its innovative model makes it possible to negotiate reduced prices with manufacturers and ensure the sustainability of vaccination programs in the supported countries.
Currently, 19 countries have already fully funded their own vaccine programs, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the partnership.
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