To its list of achievements can be added its successful hosting of the Twelfth EDCTP Forum. This highly successful event was marked by its energy and the enthusiasm of its participants. Existing relationships have been strengthened and new ones created, across countries and across continents.
This year’s Forum was the biggest yet, attracting more than 1,200 in-person delegates, 65% of whom were attending an EDCTP Forum for the first time. Nearly three-quarters of delegates were from the African continent. The Forum provided something for everyone, with eight plenary sessions featuring 45 plenary speakers, 15 parallel sessions, 18 scientific symposia, 14 workshops and side events, six sponsored satellite sessions and 186 posters. As importantly, countless interactions took place at Meet the Expert sessions or informally through the extensive networking opportunities provided.
Dr Nsanzimana set the tone at the start of the meeting, insisting that the challenge was not the choice of going far or going fast, but of doing both simultaneously. Partnerships were the core theme running through the event, and were recognised as being critical for creating the foundation for going far and fast. This is particularly true when the partnerships are enduring, enabling trust to be built.
The EDCTP movement exemplifies this point, each programme having drawn inspiration from and extended the work of its predecessor, to become a well-recognised platform for accelerating highly collaborative clinical research and capacity development through global research partnerships.
Moving forward together
These are troubling times for global health. In an uncertain geopolitical environment, European leaders – Martin Seychell, Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG-INTPA), European Commission and Kasia Jurczak, DG Research and Innovation (DG-RTD), European Commission – were at pains to stress Europe’s unwavering support for its partnership with Africa. Europe would be a “trustworthy and reliable partner”.
Moreover, another message heard loud and clear at the meeting was the need for African-led solutions to African problems. The short-term pain may have a silver lining if it catalyses additional domestic investment in health and health research – an investment that will deliver rich rewards in terms of improved health outcomes, healthier and more productive populations, and a stronger regional life sciences sector.
Indeed, Global Health EDCTP3, working with many global and regional partners, has helped to create a springboard for a transformation and fundamental realignment of the health research ecosystem in Africa over the next decade, with activities led by Africa, for Africans.
Europe will remain a steadfast partner through that journey. In two years’ time, the EDCTP family will reconvene in Europe to take stock of progress, with Madrid, Spain, announced as the host of the Thirteenth EDCTP Forum. ¡Hasta pronto!