The Infrastructure of Survival: Harnessing Tech…

The 59th session of the CPD (13-17 April 2026) convenes under the theme: "Population, technology and research in the context of sustainable development". Within this context, ending all preventable maternal deaths is a shared global priority and a cornerstone of Africa's social and economic transformation.
The planned high-level side event session focuses on improving access to maternal and newborn health commodities through stronger supply chains, regulatory systems, and innovation. It emphasizes African-led solutions supported by the African Union and partners like UNFPA, including pooled procurement and new financing mechanisms.

Objectives
1. Advance African-led solutions for maternal survival: Feature African Ministers of Health and continental leaders as champions of market transformation, domestic resource mobilization, and regional coordination to reduce reliance on external markets.
2. Demonstrate Technological and Regulatory Innovation: Highlight how technology—including Real-Time Inventory Tracking—and harmonized regulatory pathways are overhauling national supply chains to ensure life-saving commodities reach the last mile.
3. Mobilize Catalytic Investment and Partnerships: Present the case for blended financing, domestic budget commitments and catalytic capital (such as scaling the the UNFPA Maternal Health Commodity Accelerator across 10 high-burden countries) to fix market failures and make essential innovations universally affordable.