It is a follow-up discussion to the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the China-Africa Health Ministers meeting in 2015 when a commitment was made to “make resources and solutions available to address major causes of preventable maternal, newborn and child mortality” which continue to be high in Africa.

The meeting also aims to explore how China and African countries could engage to generally promote maternal and child health and newborn health in particular, as a priority area for Chinese aid to African countries, and identify areas of potential support from UNICEF in line with the principles of “mutual respect, equality, keeping promise, mutual benefits and win-win” as defined in China’s White Paper on development aid.

UNICEF and Ministries of Health in China and the eight participating African countries recently discussed country needs and priorities, and shared a template for action.

Discussions are also expected to focus on current child health priority needs of each of the countries and how child health interventions can be integrated into the China-Africa cooperation. Participants are also expected to discuss challenges and opportunities to expand cooperation to improve newborn, child and maternal health in Africa.