WHO Africa Hosts Presidential Dialogue on High-Threat Pathogens to Advance AI‑Assisted Preparedness

On 25 September 2026, the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa convened a 90‑minute Presidential Dialogue on High‑Threat Pathogens at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The event, attended by ministers, national leaders and development partners, focused on transforming Africa’s reactive outbreak response into proactive preparedness intelligence. Delegates discussed political trust across borders, responsible use of artificial intelligence, and the financing of intelligence before emergencies. The programme included a live demonstration of the Preparedness Data Exchange (PDX) platform and Voyage Santé+ border‑screening technology. Organisers emphasized that the goal is not a single centralised database but a federated, trusted ecosystem that lets countries retain control of their data while generating collective security intelligence. The dialogue aims to strengthen cross‑border collaboration, accelerate threat prediction, and guide investment toward anticipation rather than reaction.