India-Africa Forum Summit Postponed Amid Health Concerns on Continent

The Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS IV), which was scheduled to be held in New Delhi from May 28–31, has been postponed, the Ministry of External Affairs announced.

The decision was taken following consultations between the Government of India, the Chairperson of the African Union, and the African Union Commission.

The summit has been deferred in view of an evolving public health situation in parts of Africa.

“The two sides exchanged views on the evolving health situation in parts of Africa and reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation in strengthening public health preparedness and response capacities across the continent, including through support to Africa CDC and relevant national institutions,” the MEA stated in a press note.

India reaffirmed its solidarity with the peoples and governments of Africa and expressed readiness to support Africa CDC-led efforts to address the health situation on the continent.

The two sides also stressed the importance of continued cooperation in strengthening public health preparedness and response capacities across Africa, including through support to Africa CDC and relevant national institutions. India underlined that its contributions would be in line with a shared commitment to an Africa-led response.

New dates for the summit and its associated meetings are to be finalised through mutual consultations and will be announced in due course, the MEA said.

India and the African Union reaffirmed their longstanding partnership grounded in solidarity, mutual respect, and South–South cooperation, and their shared commitment to peace, development, prosperity, and the well-being of their peoples.

Ebola disease has been known to be severe and often fatal, and most recently, outbreaks have occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda in mid-May.

The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that the international spread has already been documented, with two confirmed cases reported in Kampala, Uganda on 15 and 16 May following travel from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “Both confirmed cases were admitted to intensive care units in Kampala. Neighboring countries sharing land borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo are considered at high risk for further spread due to population mobility, trade and travel linkages, and ongoing epidemiological uncertainty.”

The Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976. As per the WHO, the 2014–2016 Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa was the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since.