Mozambique will this week host a high-level international forum aimed at accelerating efforts to end preventable child deaths and expand access to life-saving immunisation across sub-Saharan Africa.
The Innovation and Action for Immunisation and Child Survival Forum 2025, scheduled for 22–24 July in Maputo, will bring together global health leaders, policymakers, researchers and donors to chart a path toward achieving child survival targets under the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Hosted by the governments of Mozambique and Sierra Leone – and supported by partners including the Government of Spain, the “la Caixa” Foundation, the Gates Foundation and UNICEF – the forum comes amid growing concern over stalled progress in reducing child mortality.
Despite major gains since 2000, nearly five million children under five still die annually from preventable causes – 58 percent of them in sub-Saharan Africa.
Mozambique’s Health Minister Ussene Isse described the gathering as a critical moment for global action.
“Despite the unacceptable reality that we lose millions of children globally to preventable diseases each year, the rate of progress in reducing these deaths has slowed in the past 10 years, precisely when we need to accelerate,” Isse said.
He added: “The decisions we make now will determine whether we keep our promise to every child to survive, to thrive, and to reach their fifth birthday. We must act boldly, together and without delay.”
Sierra Leone’s Health Minister Austin Demby noted the need for coordinated leadership and bold investment.
“We have a golden opportunity to dramatically expand our impact through bold leadership, sustainable financing and coordinated strategies and alignment to reach the most vulnerable populations,” Demby said.
The forum will spotlight innovations such as malaria vaccines, point-of-care diagnostics and therapeutic nutrition solutions.
“At the same time, by weaving these innovations into our Life Stages Approach, we make sure every child receives the right intervention at the right time, whether it is a vaccine at birth, nutrition support during a growth setback, or follow-up care through the continuum of care as they grow; ensuring no child or opportunity is missed,” Demby said.
It will also address funding shortfalls that threaten public health programmes in low- and middle-income countries.
Delegates will explore strategies to strengthen integrated child health platforms, scale up community health worker programmes and mobilise sustainable financing.
JN/APA