African leaders, health ministers and international partners adopted a call to action in New York on September 25, 2026, to strengthen cross-border health preparedness. The initiative promotes responsible use of artificial intelligence to detect infectious threats earlier, share health intelligence and improve coordination between African countries
Turning data into health intelligence
Health threats do not stop at national borders. The movement of people, goods and animals can connect communities across several countries, making early detection and coordinated action essential when infectious diseases emerge.
This was at the center of a high-level dialogue held in New York on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. African leaders, health ministers, regional institutions and international partners discussed ways to strengthen preparedness against high-threat pathogens.
The meeting resulted in the New York Call to Action on Cross-Border Preparedness Intelligence in Africa, which places stronger cooperation and responsible use of artificial intelligence at the heart of preparedness efforts.
The objective is not simply to collect more health data, but to use available information more effectively to identify risks and support faster decisions.
AI to detect emerging risk
The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa has already begun developing digital tools to support this approach.
Among them is the Preparedness Data Exchange (PDX), launched in March 2026. The platform is designed to bring together information relevant to health emergency preparedness and help countries identify emerging risks.
Artificial intelligence could support the analysis of large volumes of information and help identify unusual patterns or signals requiring attention. The approach can draw on epidemiological, climatic, mobility, genomic and animal health data.
This also reflects the One Health approach, which recognizes the links between human health, animal health and the environment.
The WHO Regional Health Data Hub is another initiative aimed at connecting health information sources and turning fragmented data into intelligence that can support decision-making.
Digital tools at border crossings
The initiative also focuses on points of entry.
Voyage Santé+, developed with Dure Technologies under the PDX framework, is intended to support health screening and information sharing at border crossings.
The aim is to make it easier for authorities to collect and exchange relevant information when a potential health threat is detected. Information can then be analyzed, potential signals identified and the appropriate authorities alerted.
For countries sharing borders, such systems could help strengthen coordination when an outbreak in one territory creates a potential risk for neighboring populations.
Data sharing and trust
The growing role of AI also raises questions about the protection and governance of health data.
The New York initiative emphasizes responsible AI use and an approach in which countries retain appropriate control over their data. Privacy, cybersecurity, data quality and human oversight will therefore remain important as these systems develop.
The challenge is not only technological. It also involves building the trust and governance mechanisms needed for countries to exchange information quickly while protecting sensitive data.
Building on existing cooperation
The New York call follows earlier efforts to strengthen cross-border health cooperation in Africa.
In August 2026, ten African countries signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at improving information sharing, early detection and coordinated preparedness and response to health emergencies.
The new initiative adds preparedness intelligence and AI to this regional cooperation agenda. The WHO Regional Office for Africa says it will support countries in translating the commitments into national policies, sustainable financing and practical cross-border mechanisms.
Africa is therefore seeking to move beyond responding to outbreaks once they become crises, by connecting data, technology and regional cooperation to identify risks earlier and coordinate action before health emergencies spread across borders.
