In New York, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Colonel-Major Assa Badiallo Touré, Mali's Minister of Health and Social Development, outlined the country's ambitions for a sovereign health policy. This took place during the 8th edition of the European-Corporate Council on Africa and the Middle East, which focused on Africa's place in the global economy. The event occurred on September 24, 2026.
At the gathering, Minister Touré stated that Mali's ambition is to transition from a logic of dependence to one of capacity, from assistance to partnership, and from consumption to production. The minister's statement was made in the presence of several high-profile attendees, including William Ruto, President of Kenya, Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, and Antonio Tajani, Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The priorities for Mali's health sector include the local production of medicines and health products, modernizing supply chains, strengthening medical diagnosis and biology, digital transformation, and improving epidemic response. These goals are part of a broader strategy to build a healthcare system that relies more heavily on Mali's own capacities. This approach aims to reduce the country's reliance on external aid and promote self-sufficiency in healthcare.
In a separate event, Mali held its 5th National Reconciliation Week from September 15 to 21, 2026. The event featured conferences, debates, and awareness campaigns in local languages, as well as artistic, cultural, and sporting events. The initiative aimed to promote peace, dialogue, and social cohesion among Mali's diverse communities. Several slogans were used during the campaign, including "Each citizen is an actor of peace" and "Our cultural wealth is our strength for peace."
The National Reconciliation Week seeks to promote peace, dialogue, and social cohesion by sensitizing and mobilizing public opinion on the importance of national reconciliation, coexistence, and forgiveness. The event's organizers hope that these messages will have a lasting impact on Malians, particularly during this challenging period in the country's history.
On September 23, 2026, Bandiougou Danté, President of Mali's Maison de la Presse, participated in a forum on the challenges facing information and media in the Sahel region. The event, organized by the Cellule Norbert Zongo pour le journalisme d'investigation en Afrique de l'Ouest (CENOZO) with support from International Media Support (IMS), took place in Ouagadougou. Danté spoke on a panel discussing the manipulation of information in the Sahel region.
The participation of Bandiougou Danté in this forum reflects Mali's commitment to strengthening cooperation among Sahel region media outlets, sharing experiences, and promoting a professional and responsible media environment. This engagement is crucial for enhancing the resilience of media organizations and improving the quality of information in the region.
Key points
- Mali's Health Minister outlines sovereign health policy at UN gathering, emphasizing local production of medicines and health products.
- Mali holds National Reconciliation Week to promote peace and social cohesion.
- Maison de la Presse President participates in forum on information and media challenges in the Sahel region.
