G20 Brazil Presidency Press Statement on G20 Joint Finance and Health Ministers’ Statement on Mpox Response

G20 support for the Africa CDC’s and WHO’s appeals for collective action and closer collaboration.

The G20 Joint Finance and Health Ministers have today adopted a statement on the response to the Mpox outbreak, following the appeals for assistance from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The Brazilian G20 Presidency expresses its sincere appreciation to all G20 members for their steadfast political support during this critical time in addressing the outbreak.

The valuable lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic have led to the creation of new institutional frameworks, notably, among these, the G20 Joint Finance and Health Task Force (JFHTF). As a dedicated platform for coordinating the prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) to pandemics, the JFHTF is uniquely positioned to offer complementary support for the ongoing efforts led by the Africa CDC.

Minister of Finance of Brazil, Fernando Haddad, emphasized that the issuance of this statement reflects the overarching priority of the G20 Brazil Presidency: addressing inequalities. He remarked: "it is particularly important to stand by our African brothers and sisters during these challenging times, as well as to show G20's actions are attuned to the immediate human challenges."

This initiative also aligns with Brazil’s broader international cooperation strategy, which is grounded in consultation and responsiveness to the needs of partner countries. The Minister of Health of Brazil, Nisia Trindade, stated: "At the heart of our health strategy is the advancement of health equity, the promotion of country ownership, and the strengthening of global health architecture, with the WHO playing a central role."

The Joint Press Statement released today underscores that technical reports will be reviewed by Ministers at the Joint Finance and Health Ministerial Meeting on October 31 in Rio de Janeiro. G20 Finance Track Deputy and Vice Minister for International Affairs, Ambassador Tatiana Rosito, remarked: "This statement provides the mandate for the G20 to deliver concrete outcomes, reaffirming its relevance and capacity to respond to global crises".

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