Top global health officials, decision-makers, donors, scientists, and campaigners will come together in Maputo on July 22–24, 2025 for theForum 2025 on Innovation and Action for Immunization and Child Health. This is a top-level meeting designed to speed up efforts to increase access to life-saving vaccines and put an end to preventable child deaths throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
Organized by the governments of Mozambique and Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the Spanish government, “la Caixa” Foundation, the Gates Foundation, and UNICEF, the forum takes place five years before the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals.
The 2025 Forum on Innovation and Action for Immunization and Child Survival will concentrate on emerging and underused tools to advance child survival, improved methods for managing and monitoring infectious disease risks, more effective service delivery models, the importance of thorough prioritization efforts covering routine immunization systems and new vaccine implementations, and creative approaches to financing child survival initiatives.
“Mozambique is honored to host this important meeting, at a moment when the world stands at a turning point,” said Hon. Dr. Ussene Isse, Minister of Health of Mozambique. “Although it is unacceptable that millions of children die worldwide each year from preventable illnesses, the pace of progress in reducing these deaths has slowed over the past decade, exactly when we need to speed up our efforts. The choices we take now will decide whether we fulfill our commitment to every child to survive, flourish, and reach their fifth birthday. We must act courageously, united, and without hesitation.”
Remarkable advancements have cut the number of child deaths under five by 50% since 2000. However, currently, nearly five million children are still losing their lives due to preventable reasons annually—58% of these cases occur in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Infectious diseases that can be prevented, such as pneumonia, malaria, diarrhea, and meningitis, continue to be the top causes of death for children under five worldwide, with malnutrition playing a role in 45% of all child deaths.
"It is not possible to allow progress to slow down. We have a unique chance to significantly increase our influence by demonstrating courageous leadership, securing sustainable funding, and implementing coordinated approaches to assist the most disadvantaged groups," stated Hon. Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health, Sierra Leone.
Groundbreaking advancements such as malaria vaccines, on-site diagnostic tests, and ready-to-use therapeutic foods designed to combat malnutrition are enhancing our ability to protect young lives and reduce child mortality. At the same time, integrating these innovations into ourLife Stages Approach, we ensure that each child gets the appropriate support at the correct time, whether it's a vaccine at birth, nutritional assistance during a growth delay, or ongoing care throughout their development; making sure no child or chance is overlooked.”
The meeting will highlight the current unprecedented levels of global funding reductions for public health initiatives, such as vaccination programs. As low- and middle-income countries face growing financial constraints and have limited capacity to quickly increase domestic and charitable funding to fill these gaps, the effects of these cuts are even more severe, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected areas where children are almost three times more likely to die before their fifth birthday.
"This platform will mark another significant step in our joint efforts to create a world where every child can grow and succeed. It presents a special chance to keep addressing inequalities affecting the most vulnerable groups, consistently in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda," stated H.R.H. Infanta Cristina, Director of the International Area at the "la Caixa" Foundation.
The conference will provide a space for interested parties to exchange effective methods, investigate ways to expand innovations, diagnostic equipment, and nutritional approaches to benefit every child, particularly those who are most at risk in areas affected by conflict and climate change.. Presenters will also highlight improving service provision via integrated child health systems, community health worker initiatives, and digital technologies, as well as establishing long-term funding by leveraging local resources, consolidating international assistance, and investigating new financial approaches.
"Each child has the right to grow up in good health and flourish. Thanks to effective strategies and creative medical care, we have achieved significant improvements in ensuring more children survive their most fragile early years. By supporting robust, integrated primary healthcare systems and providing life-saving treatment to every child—regardless of their identity or location—we can rescue millions of young lives and create stronger families, communities, and future generations," stated Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque, Director of Health at UNICEF.
The meeting will capitalize on the momentum of theForums on Childhood Pneumonia in 2020 and 2023 Worldwideto encourage meaningful collaborations, enhance political commitment, and bring together Africa's political and health leaders to guarantee that every child is safeguarded from the major risks to their survival.
"Although there has been significant progress, millions of children are still not receiving the necessary care, lacking access to vaccines or treatments for diseases that can be prevented. This forum serves as a call to action for Africa and the entire world, as the last part of the global effort to save children's lives will be determined on this continent. We need to safeguard our children using the available tools, invest in the innovations required, and make sure no child is neglected," stated Keith Klugman, Director of Pneumonia and Pandemic Preparedness at the Gates Foundation.
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