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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| On the frontlines bringing treatment and care to vulnerable patients Priscila Chebjira, Nurse Incharge, Kala-Azar ward, Amudat Hospital |
Scientific symposia
Improve access to care for leishmaniasis patients and its various forms (VL, CL, PKDL, HIV-VL), including vulnerable groups: 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 systematic, targeted, and measurable interventions Simon Bolo, Head of Leishmaniasis Access, DNDi |
| Evaluation of rK28 and kala-azar detect rK39 rapid diagnostic tests for visceral leishmaniasis in Kenya, towards strengthening recommendations for their use and access in Eastern Africa 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 pastoralists Rose Bosire, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) |
| Evaluation of measures to improve access to care through decentralization of VL diagnosis and treatment in Turkana County Jane Mbui, KEMRI and Dawn Maranga, FIND |
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 Rachida Soulaymani, Former Director, Centre Anti Poison et de Pharmacovigilance, Morocco |
Bridging R&D and access: Strengthening Africa-Europe partnerships to combat vector-borne diseases
Date: Thursday, 19 June 2025
Time: 11:00 – 12:30
Venue: MH4
Organized by Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW)
Moderator: Lisa Goerlitz, Head of Brussels Office, Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW)
| Challenges and opportunities to advance vaccine development against vector-borne diseases Sushant Sahastrabuddhe, Associate Director, Global Chikungunya Vaccine Clinical Development Programme |
| EU initiatives to foster international partnerships and innovation to combat vector-borne diseases Kasia Jurczak, Head of Unit Combating Diseases, European Commission DG for Research and Innovation |
| Innovations in developing treatments for leishmaniasis and the vital role of endemic countries’ leadership Thi Hanh Cao, External Relations Director, DNDi |
| Transforming global health research into real-world impact through strong stakeholder partnerships Christine Kirima, Global Health Network |
Poster
| Qualification of LC‑MS/MS methods for the determination of flucytosine (5‑FC) and 5‑Fluorouracil (5‑FU) in different human matrices Sease K, Pieterse J, Kruger E, Wentzel J |
