ARUSHA, Tanzania, September 16, 2026/APO Group: The East African Community (EAC) and four United Nations (UN) agencies have committed to establish a structured partnership framework that will anchor coordination and joint action on regional health and development priorities.
The proposed framework will provide a coordinated mechanism for supporting regional priorities and translating them into action that improves the lives of East Africans.
The framework was discussed during a high-level meeting between the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Stephen P. Mbundi, at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The delegation was led by UNFPA Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Ms. Lydia Zigomo, and comprised WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Mohamed Yakub Janabi; and, UNAIDS Deputy Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Ms. Medhin Tsehaiu.
While welcoming the delegation, Amb. Mbundi expressed appreciation for the longstanding collaboration between the EAC Organs and Institutions and the UN agencies. The Secretary General welcomed the proposed framework, noting that it would help consolidate existing areas of collaboration, strengthen regional coordination and support more coherent action on priorities affecting the lives and livelihoods of East Africans.
Amb. Mbundi emphasised the importance of formalising the framework through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to define the areas of cooperation and provide a clear basis for implementation. He called on the EAC and the UN agencies to fast-track the development of the framework, with the process to be completed within the next three months.
The Secretary General further underscored the importance of strengthening public awareness of the EAC integration process and demonstrating its practical contribution to improving the lives and livelihoods of citizens across the region.
The discussions highlighted health and human capital development considered to be important areas for strengthened regional action. The meeting noted that sustained investment in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH), HIV, gender, adolescents and youth, and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is critical to human capital development and to harnessing the demographic potential of East Africa’s youthful population.
It also underscored the importance of sustainable financing and supportive legal and policy environments in improving health outcomes and advancing inclusive development.
The four UN agencies have reaffirmed their commitment to working with the EAC and Partner States to protect and build on progress made in RMNCAH, HIV, UHC, gender, and adolescent and youth health across the region.
The partnership framework will provide a more coordinated platform for the EAC, UN agencies and Partner States to align efforts, strengthen regional capacities and translate regional priorities into practical interventions that improve the health and wellbeing of East Africans.
