Beijing China, 24 November 2023 — Maternal and little one well being is a crucial side of China-Africa well being cooperation. On 21 November 2023, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) co-organized a roundtable dialogue titled ‘A South-South Cooperation in Maternal and Child Health Experience Exchange’.

China and nations in Africa have collaborated on well being for greater than six a long time. China has achieved noteworthy developments in maternal and little one well being after years of expertise and growing good practices. African nations have gained beneficial expertise in selling maternal and little one well being within the face of challenges, together with conflicts, strained sources, and local weather change.

Promoting maternal and little one well being is essential for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3 and Goal 5, and adhering to the Programme of Actions of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). In addition, selling maternal well being is aligned with the ideas of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) to make sure the respect, safety, and fulfilment of youngsters’s rights. Promoting maternal well being additionally ensures ladies’s well being and rights, maternal security, little one survival, and general well-being.

“UNFPA recognizes that South-South cooperation plays a critical role in supporting countries to achieve the SDGs and the ICPD Programme of Action and we broker technical exchange and knowledge sharing across the 150 countries where we work,” stated Dr Justine Coulson, the UNFPA Representative to China.

“South-South and triangular cooperation can play a vital role for experience sharing and learning from practical challenges as well as good practices. It is mutual, two-way cooperation that allows China and countries in Africa to learn from each other,” UNICEF Representative to China Amakobe Sande stated on the roundtable.

The gathering introduced collectively over 80 members, together with a various group of delegates from African nations who traveled to Beijing. Representatives from respective Ministries of Health, UNFPA, and UNICEF nation workplaces, Ambassadors and officers from African embassies, representatives from Chinese well being establishments, UN organizations, universities, and analysis establishments joined the roundtable.

A complete of 27 African delegates representing 11 nations – the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe – participated within the roundtable dialogue and shared their insights.

“Africa, a continent of immense diversity and potential, continues to face significant challenges in ensuring the well-being of mothers and children. It is imperative that we take stock of the current situation and identify the priorities for South-South cooperation to address the pressing issues that hinder progress in maternal and child health,” stated H.E, Mme. Oliver Wonekha, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda.

China has a wealth of expertise in enhancing the well being of girls and kids and selling their security. It has been acknowledged by WHO as one of many high ten nations when it comes to maternal and little one well being efficiency.

“This roundtable marks the beginning of post pandemic South-South cooperation. The dynamic discussion and communication shows the desire of developing countries to understand each other, as well as their willingness to promote future collaborations,” shared Mr. Dong Shengli, Division Director of the International Cooperation Department, National Center for Women and Children Health, China’s National Health Commission.

Government leaders from the International Health Exchange and Cooperation Center, the National Health Commission and the National Center for Women and Children Health, National Health Commission shared an summary of China-Africa cooperation on maternal and little one well being and a evaluation of maternal and little one well being work in China, highlighting the achievements that China has made within the survival improvement objectives of decreasing maternal and little one mortality and the objectives going ahead.

The joint occasion offered a platform for the United Nations, China and African nations to debate the present standing and experiences of maternal and little one well being, and to boost understanding of progress and challenges. It additionally promoted South-South and triangular cooperation in maternal and little one well being. Following the roundtable, a three-day examine go to on maternal and little one well being will likely be held from 23-25 November in Nanning metropolis in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Media contacts

Liu Li
Communication Specialist
UNICEF China
Tel: +86-10-85312612
Email: liliu@unicef.org