February 18, 2023

ROSEN, A HIGHLY RECOGNIZED LAW FIRM, Encourages Gaotu Techedu Inc. f/k/a GSX Techedu Inc. Investors with Losses to Secure Counsel Before Important February 28 Deadline in Securities Class Action Commenced by the Firm – GOTU, GSX

NEW YORK, Feb. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Gaotu Techedu Inc. f/k/a GSX Techedu Inc. (NYSE: GOTU, GSX) between March 5, 2021 and July 23, 2021, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important February 28, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Gaotu securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Gaotu class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=2595 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 28, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose, among other things, that: (1) China was barring tutoring for profit in core school subjects and the policy change would restrict foreign investment in a sector that had become essential to success in Chinese school exams; and (2) the impact such regulations would have on Gaotu’s operations and profitability and the value of Company securities. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Gaotu class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=2595 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm.

Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm’s attorneys are ranked and recognized by numerous independent and respected sources. Rosen Law Firm has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for investors.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

——————————–

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40^th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
lrosen@rosenlegal.com
pkim@rosenlegal.com
cases@rosenlegal.com
www.rosenlegal.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8751923

February 18, 2023

ROSEN, GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages Sotera Health Company Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action – SHC

NEW YORK, Feb. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Sotera Health Company (NASDAQ: SHC): (i) pursuant and/or traceable to the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) conducted on or around November 20, 2020; (ii) pursuant and/or traceable to the Company’s secondary public offering (“SPO”) conducted on or around March 18, 2021; and/or (iii) between November 20, 2020 and September 19, 2022, inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important March 27, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Sotera Health securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Sotera Health class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=11454 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 27, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, and in connection with the IPO and the SPO, Sotera Health made false and misleading representations concerning its emissions control systems and exposure to liability from lawsuits for the Company’s failure to limit harmful Ethylene Oxide (“EtO”) emissions. The Company represented that it had “a proactive [environmental, health and safety] program and a culture of safety and quality.” In addition, Sotera Health stated that it employed adequate and effective safeguards to control EtO emissions. Moreover, Sotera Health and its executives vehemently denied allegations that the Company’s EtO emissions from its sterilization facilities caused cancer and other severe health issues in people living in the communities near those facilities.

To join the Sotera Health class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=11454 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

——————————–

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
lrosen@rosenlegal.com
pkim@rosenlegal.com
cases@rosenlegal.com
www.rosenlegal.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8751971

February 18, 2023

ROSEN, GLOBAL INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action – HMC

NEW YORK, Feb. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of American Depository Shares (“ADSs”) of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) between June 20, 2018 and September 28, 2022, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”) of the important April 3, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Honda ADSs during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Honda class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=11692 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 3, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Honda had overstated the safety and effectiveness of the Idle Stop engine feature; (2) Honda maintained deficient disclosure controls and procedures with respect to product quality and safety; (3) as a result of the foregoing deficiencies, Honda failed to prevent American Honda from marketing and selling thousands of vehicles that contained a defective Idle Stop feature; (4) the foregoing conduct subjected the Company and/or its subsidiaries to a heightened risk of litigation, as well as financial and/or reputational harm; and (5) as a result, the Company’s public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Honda class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=11692 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8751932

February 18, 2023

EQUITY ALERT: ROSEN, GLOBAL INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages Kornit Digital Ltd. Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action – KRNT

NEW YORK, Feb. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of Kornit Digital Ltd., (NASDAQ: KRNT) between February 17, 2021 and July 5, 2022, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 17, 2023.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Kornit securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Kornit class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=12250 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 17, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Kornit and its senior executives knew or, at a minimum, recklessly disregarded, that the Company’s digital printing business was beset by significant quality control problems and deficient customer service; (2) as a result, Kornit was more vulnerable to pressure from competitors than it had represented and lacked the competitive advantages it touted to investors; (3) as a result, problems and deficiencies caused Kornit to lose market share to competitors, which led to a decline in the Company’s revenues, as Kornit’s dissatisfied customers sought out alternative options for their digital printing needs; and (4) to the extent that the Company purported to warn of risks regarding quality and customer service issues as well as increased competition, Kornit failed to disclose that such risks had already materialized. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Kornit class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=12250 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8751936

February 18, 2023

UN teams with Malawi to fight worst-ever cholera outbreak

UNITED NATIONS, The United Nations is working with Malawi authorities to battle the country’s worst-ever cholera outbreak, a UN spokesman said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that as of last week, Malawi had reported 36,943 cases of cholera since March 3, 2022, with 1,210 associated deaths. Cases were reported in all 29 districts of the southeast African nation. In January alone, there was a 143 percent increase in cases.

UN resident coordinator in Malawi Rebecca Adda-Dontoh launched the anti-cholera campaign earlier this week with aid from the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Population Fund, said Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The WFP provided 12 mobile storage units for cholera treatment and is distributing chlorine and rehabilitating water points, while increasing safety in nearly 500 schools for over 600,000 students, providing soap, handwashing stations, and cholera information, according to Haq.

“Over the past four months, the UN Population Fund has delivered over 150 cholera beds, 14 tents for cholera treatment and other essential supplies to health authorities,” he said.

In Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world, cholera has been endemic since 1998, with seasonal outbreaks reported during the rainy season (November through May), WHO said. However, the current outbreak extended through the dry season last year.

Source: Nam News Network

February 18, 2023

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s remarks on the occasion of the Presidential High-Level Advocacy Breakfast, Gender Pre-Summit in Addis Ababa

Your Excellency, Nana Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana,

Your Excellency, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission,

Deputy Executive Director of UN Women Ms. Asa Regner,

Your Excellency Madame Bineta Diop, AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace, and Security

Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection of the Republic of Ghana, the Hon. Lariba Zuweira Abudu,

Director of the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate of the AU Commission, Ms. Prudence Ngwenya,

Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to begin by thanking you, my brother, President Nana Akufo-Addo for convening this important engagement in your capacity as AU Gender Champion.

The 2021 Kinshasa Declaration commits us to provide the necessary resources to end violence against women and girls. The Circle of Champions will lead in amplifying this agenda across our continent.

The aim is to facilitate high-level strategic political engagement at Heads of State and Government level, and to drive accountability towards ending violence against women and girls.

South Africa wholly supports this critical platform. It is encouraging to see Heads of State responding positively to the call for more strategic collaboration to take this agenda forward.

We are grateful for the opportunity to work with successive A.U. chairs in this regard, namely H.E. President Felix Tshisikedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo and H.E. President Macky Sall of the Republic of Senegal.

The Circle of Champions is about firstly, foregrounding the role of male leadership in the agenda of Ending Violence Against Women and Girls across Africa.

Secondly, it is about taking forward the commitments made in the Kinshasa Declaration and foregrounding accountability for delivering on them.

For these reasons, the agenda must be driven at Head of State level.

Beyond being a persistent challenge across the region and the world, violence against women and girls undermines our efforts to realise the aspirations contained in the U.N.’s Agenda 2030 and the A.U.’s Agenda 2063; The Africa We Want.

Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls was a focus area during South Africa’s term as A.U. Chair in 2020.

Some of the high-level actions I identified at the plenary included:

• A rapid review of discriminatory laws related to violence against women in all African countries,

• The development and adoption of an A.U. Convention on Violence Against Women,

• Advocacy for the ratification of ILO Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, and

• Women’s financial inclusion.

Of course, 2020 was the year the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, and we had to rapidly change gear to devote our attention to managing its fallout.

However, we did not let this pivotal issue fall by the wayside.

On reviewing discriminatory laws, through a partnership with the Center for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, we conducted an initial literature review on laws that perpetuate violence against women and girls in the region.

This was followed by a more in-depth study covering twenty- five countries[1] across diverse geographic, linguistic, and legal systems in Africa.

This work will be an important foundation as we develop and adopt a Convention.

It provides updated information on the status of women’s rights, the status of violence against women in these countries and the legislation in place. It identifies gaps and makes recommendations on how to address them.

The development of an African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls is a priority that we need to move forward with collectively as the Circle of Champions.

Finding ways to engage with Heads of State in different sub-regions and in the respective fora in which we play leadership roles can contribute significantly to this process.

On ILO Convention 190, in December 2021, South Africa became the tenth member state of the ILO to ratify the Convention.

Making the world of work free of violence and harassment will unleash women’s potential and enable other vulnerable workers to enjoy safe and healthy work environments.

Through the Generation Equality Forum, South Africa advocated for preferential procurement and financial inclusion for women. We have introduced and are implementing our own policy that sets aside 40 per cent of public procurement spend for women-owned businesses.

As co-leader of the Action Coalition on Economic Justice and Rights, South Africa believes strongly that the Africa Continental Free Trade Area can play a significant role in closing the gender income gap and in creating opportunities for women-owned businesses.

Since South Africa advocated for adopting the Protocol on Women In Trade by the AU in December 2020, the AfCFTA Secretariat has made steady progress in developing a framework for women’s economic participation.

Africa-wide consultations were held with women business owners and informal traders. This culminated in the regional conference on women in trade in Tanzania at the end of 2022.

South Africa is encouraged by the progress that has been made in driving high-level actions across the region. We must build on these collectively.

Ratifying ILO Convention 190 is an integral part of realizing the vision of the current AU Decade on Financial and Economic Inclusion of Women.

It is encouraging that of the twenty-five countries globally that have ratified; six are in our region. Of the ten countries in which it is in force, four are in Africa. So, we hope to see the whole continent ratifying Convention 190.

The A.U. has embarked on a campaign across the region to shift social norms with respect to gender equality and violence against women and girls.

Addressing economic and political practices alongside social norms is critical. Moreover, it is key to understanding how history and current realities shape the manifestations of violence against women and girls in our societies.

Twenty-nine years ago, at the dawn of our democracy, President Nelson Mandela said:

“Freedom cannot be achieved unless women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression. Our endeavors must be about the liberation of the woman, the emancipation of the man and the liberty of the child.”

The Circle of Champions brings together African leaders as a show of the highest political will towards ending the source of violence against women and girls. It is the first time this has happened on our continent.

As President Mandela rightly said, women’s liberation must be at the centre of our endeavours to lay claim to being truly free societies.

As the Circle of Champions let us continue to learn from each other, support each other, and most importantly, hold ourselves and each other accountable for bringing about the change we want to see in the world.

I thank you.

Source: The Presidency Republic of South Africa

February 18, 2023

Solidarity message by African Union Champion on COVID-19 Response, President Cyril Ramaphosa, at the High-Level Breakfast Meeting of Heads of State and Government on Africa Centres for Disease Control, Addis Ababa

Your Excellency, Sahle-Work Zewde, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,

Your Excellency Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal,

Your Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda,

Your Excellency Umaro Sissoco Embalo, President of the Republic of Guinea- Bissau

Your Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone

Ministers,

Director of Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Ahmed Ouma,

Distinguished panellists,

Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

As Africa continues to define its destiny through the New Public Health Order, we are filled with optimism for the future.

A future where every African citizen enjoys a birthright of good health and wellbeing.

I wish to thank the Africa CDC and the government of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia for co-hosting this event.

As the African Union Champion on COVID-19 Response, it is greatly heartening to note that health remains at the forefront of Africa’s political agenda.

Inequities in access to quality health services and products is a blight on the conscience of the world.

The onus falls on each Member State to advance the agenda of equitable healthcare for all, and to achieve Universal Health Coverage as aspired to in the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

As health emergencies increase in frequency across our continent, our progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage as well as full pandemic preparedness is being impeded.

We reaffirm our support for the Call to Action contained in the communique of the event on Africa’s New Public Health Order and Rejuvenating the Global Health Security Agenda, that took place on the margins of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Our learnings from the pandemic must be an opportunity to build more robust health systems, so that we do not continue to be plagued by the same inequities every time we are faced with a health emergency.

The AU COVID-19 Commission is to be commended for investing heavily in Africa’s health agenda.

This panel of health experts from across the sectors, spanning the whole continent, have been exceptional advocates for the New Public Health Order, travelling the world to attract investment, and magnifying the voice of African health interlocutors.

Members have defended the amendments to the Africa CDC statutes that advocate for the Africa CDC to have the power to declare public health emergencies of regional concern.

Our focus is to continue attracting investment into Africa CDC’s growth and sustainability and to ensure a strong network of national public health institutions in every member state that supports it.

As Ministers, you have a key role to play in ensuring this ambition is elevated in our respective countries.

With regards to pharmaceutical manufacturing, you may all recall the meeting of the Bureau in May 2022 where we discussed the serious problem of our nascent manufacturing industry being unable to secure markets.

Several bold demands were made following this meeting.

Firstly, that GAVI, UNICEF and other large procurers of vaccines purchase 30 per cent of the vaccines destined for Africa from African manufacturers.

The Africa CDC, the PAVM secretariat and the AU COVID-19 Commission have done the leg work to ensure that GAVI establishes an Advance Market Commitment facility for African Manufacturers.

Secondly that Africa CDC convenes a working group on pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The working group will be convened by the Africa CDC in due course. I am told that all the Ministers from countries that are manufacturing health products or aspire to do so will have permanent membership. I encourage these Ministers to be part of this critical initiative and renew the momentum of Africa’s quest to attain biotech sovereignty.

Member states have a responsibility to support manufacturers through preferential procurement policies, working in collaboration with their respective finance ministries.

The mRNA spokes must be well supported. Financial support is key to their sustainability. For them to secure loans and other investments, we as Member states must demonstrate a strong will to prioritise African products in our procurement policies.

We continue to make very good progress in the establishment of an AU Health Workforce Task Team. This structure will co-ordinate training, deployment, and the retention of health workers on the continent.

Much of its efforts will be concentrated on supporting Member States to accommodate the growing health workforce by supporting innovative financing for retention of the health workforce.

The pillar of increasing health financing is critical, and we have not made as much progress as we had hoped to under the Abuja Declaration.

The COVID-19 Commission has been inspired by the success of the Africa Leaders Malaria Alliance and is now working on a proposal to establish an Alliance on Health Systems Strengthening.

This alliance will use a scorecard-based visibility and accountability system so that we can all support, incentivize and reward one another for innovatively increasing health spending and manifesting good health outcomes. I heartily encourage full participation when the consultation procedures get underway this year.

I will close by expressing my support for a campaign to replenish the Africa Epidemics Fund, formerly the COVID-19 Relief Fund.

South Africa stands ready to support the AU Commission in ensuring this fund will help African countries to respond to current and emerging health threats. As much as the World Bank’s Pandemic Fund has been invaluable, we must also be able to have our pandemic financing mechanism, as we did with COVID-19.

Thank you for the opportunity. I wish you successful deliberations.

Source: The Presidency Republic of South Africa