The Ubuntu Principle underscoreing “We are, therefore I am. I am, therefore we are” is an African idea reflecting indigenous values. It reinforced African collaborations as the COVID-19 pandemic was confronted. It was pivotal in promoting meaningful community engagement and is incorporated in the 2024 revision of the Declaration of Helsinki (DoH) of the World Medical Association (WMA). The vulnerability has also been extensively discussed during the consultations for the revisions for the 2024 DoH. The DoH 2024 advances research targeting vulnerable populations, with strengthened safeguard and benefit sharing. Prior to this, UNESCO’s Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights and UNESCO’s statements regarding COVID-19 as a global public good have facilitated access to health for all. In addition, the CIOMS ethical guidelines for health-related research involving humans and their reports on research in resource-limited settings have promoted the protection of vulnerable people, prevention of exploitation, and directed for access to research results. In South Africa, constitutional provisions and a health system were established to overcome the ravages of apartheid and protect the rights of research participants. From a global perspective, international cooperation to promote bioethics and the right to equal health is essential to eliminate health inequalities and to achieve the sustainable development goals (SGDs) as promulgated by the United Nations.