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The Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS IV), which was originally slated to take place in New Delhi from May 28 to 31, has been postponed due to the deteriorating health situation in parts of Africa, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated Thursday.
The decision was made following thorough negotiations between the Indian government, the African Union’s (AU) Chairperson, and the African Union Commission on the summit and related events.
The decision comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) labeled Ebola virus outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda as Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to the potential of additional transmission.
The MEA stated that India and the African Union, who had been working closely on the convening of the IAFS IV, 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.
“India reaffirmed its solidarity with the peoples and Governments of Africa and expressed its readiness to contribute to Africa CDC-led efforts aimed at addressing the evolving health situation, in line with the shared commitment to an Africa-led response,” read a statement issued by the MEA.
“Recognising the importance of ensuring the full participation and engagement of African leaders and stakeholders, and mindful of the emerging public health situation on the continent, consultations were held between the Government of India, the Chairperson of the African Union, and the African Union Commission regarding the holding of the Summit and associated activities. Following these consultations, the two sides agreed that it would be advisable to convene the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit at a later date,” it added.
New Delhi stated that the new dates for the summit and its associated meetings will be finalised through mutual consultations and communicated in due course.
“India and Africa reaffirmed their longstanding partnership founded on solidarity, mutual respect, South–South cooperation, and a shared commitment to peace, development, prosperity, and the well-being of their peoples,” the MEA added.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport issued a public health alert for passengers arriving from or transiting through Ebola-affected countries on Thursday, advising them to report any signs of the disease to health officials at the airport.
In a post on X, Delhi Airport posted a health awareness advice from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The caution applies to passengers traveling from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, which have been designated as high-risk countries in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) updates.
Travellers with symptoms such as fever, vomiting, weakness or exhaustion, diarrhoea, headache, unexplained bleeding, muscle discomfort, or sore throat should immediately report to the Airport Health Officer or health counter before immigration clearance.
Passengers who have had direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of a suspected or confirmed Ebola patient are also required to notify health officials at the airport.
The advisory further advised that travelers who experience symptoms within 21 days of arrival should seek emergency medical attention and reveal their recent travel history to healthcare authorities.
The Delhi airport requested passengers to assist with health screening and public health measures in order to ensure passenger safety and compliance with International Health Regulations (IHR).
Source: IANS
