The twelfth edition of the EDCTP Forum aims to showcase the impact of the EDCTP programmes in the last two decades under the theme ‘Better health through global research partnerships’. The event brings together policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to discuss how we can advance global health through equitable partnerships, collaborative research, innovation, and capacity-building in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.
Plenary session
From collaboration to celebration: Towards sustainable elimination of neglected tropical diseases
Date: Monday, 16 June 2025
Time: 12:45 – 13:45
Venue: Auditorium
Organized by Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases and DNDi
| Introduction John Amuasi, Executive Director, African Research Network for NTDs; Leader of Global One Health Research Group, KNUST-KCCR, Ghana & BNITM |
| Opening remarks Sabin Nsanzimana, Minister of Health, Rwanda |
| From research to reality: Guinea’s journey to eliminating sleeping sickness Diouhé Bah, Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Guinea (To be confirmed) |
| Investing in NTDs: The power of research and timely intervention in Africa Michael Makanga, Executive Director, Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking |
| European research and Africa’s NTD future: Strengthening partnerships for sustainable impact Kasia Jurczak, Head of Unit for Combatting Diseases, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission (To be confirmed) |
| Accelerating progress towards NTD elimination through scientific innovation Samuel Kariuki, Continental Lead Africa and Eastern Africa Director, DNDi |
| Beyond commitments: The impact of the Kigali Declaration on NTD elimination Isatou Touray, Executive Director, Uniting to Combat NTDs |
Scientific symposia
Improving access to care for leishmaniasis patients in Eastern Africa: The LeishAccess project
Date: Monday, 16 June 2025
Time: 14:00-15:30
Venue: MH2
Organized by FIND
Moderator: Fabiana Alves, NTD Leishmaniasis-Mycetoma Cluster Director, DNDi
| Facilitating the uptake and adoption of optimal combination treatments for VL, HIV-VL, and PKDL through targeted interventions Simon Bolo, Head of Leishmaniasis Access, DNDi and Dawn Maranga, FIND |
| A phase II/ III, open label, multicenter, randomized clinical trial to evaluate the safety & efficacy of thermotherapy for treatment of uncomplicated cutaneous leishmaniasis cases Endalamaw Gadisa, Armauer Hansen Research Institute |
| Assessment of burden, risk factors, knowledge and practices associated with visceral leishmaniasis among the pastoralists of West Pokot, Kenya Rose Bosire, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) |
How clinical research innovation improves health systems capacity in low-resource settings
Date: Tuesday, 17 June 2025
Time: 16:30 – 18:00
Venue: MH4
Organized by DNDi
Moderator: Samuel Kariuki, Continental Lead Africa and Eastern Africa Director, DNDi
| How innovation in research has strengthened health systems for patients and accelerated disease elimination Mamadou Camara, National HAT Control Programme of the National NTDs Control Programme, Guinea |
| The impact of research for new leishmaniasis treatments on expanding access to care and advancing research capacity Eleni Ayele, University of Gondar, Ethiopia |
| Strengthening pharmacovigilance practices: a critical component in the development of new treatments for sleeping sickness Houda Sefiani, Centre Anti Poison et de Pharmacovigilance du Maroc, Morocco |
