Global Health Progress (GHP) and the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) hosted a luncheon discussion on the margins of the 64th World Health Assembly for Ministers, Ambassadors and senior health officials from Africa.

The discussion highlighted the need to develop creative and effective models of public-private partnerships in order to combat the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa.

David Brennan, Executive Director & CEO of AstraZeneca, provided the keynote address and spoke about sustainable business models for addressing NCDs in Africa and the need for greater promotion and development of country-owned strategies for action. The Honorable Dr. Mphu Ramatpaleng, Minister of Health and Social Welfare from Lesotho, provided reflections on her country's success in leveraging the entrepreneurial spirit of the private sector to develop partnerships that both protect and promote health. She highlighted the need for new ways of thinking about NCDs, and for building models based on lessons learned from effective campaigns for treating infectious diseases. Dr. Jeff Sturchio, President and CEO of the Global Health Council, moderated the discussion, which allowed Ministers of Health and senior African officials to share their successful models and discuss how the models can be adapted and replicated in light of Africa's newest health challenge.

Over 125 leaders in health, including Ministers of Health from Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Lesotho, Morocco, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zanzibar and Zimbabwe. Senior delegates from over 15 other African countries and the Commonwealth Secretariat were also in attendance, including officials from Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Kenya, Namibia, Niger Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Somalia, Swaziland, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia