Forum news

The Outstanding Research Team Prize, awarded every two years, recognises outstanding research teams in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe working on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected infectious diseases. Winners receive a trophy and €50,000 to advance their research.

Global health security needs to think beyond pathogens and focus more strongly on its ethical foundations, argued Dr John Amuasi in his plenary lecture on Sunday evening.

In a thought-provoking talk subtitled ‘Pathogens, people and principles’, Dr Amuasi, Head of the Global Health Department, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana, highlighted a famous remark made by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros during the COVID-19 pandemic, that “no one is safe until everyone is safe”.

Drawing on this theme, Dr Amuasi suggested that there were two key aspects to global health security: interconnectedness and equity. Infectious diseases spread rapidly so unless disease control is achieved by all countries, it will always be a threat: “You cannot think about global health security without evoking equity,” he suggested.

The Forum’s open ceremony features speakers from sub-Saharan Africa and Europe emphasising the power of partnerships, and lauding the commitment to equitable partnerships embedded within EDCTP.

The opening ceremony of the 12th EDCTP Forum was conducted by local media celebrity Jackie Lumbasi, who welcomed delegates to the ‘land of a thousand hills’. Reflecting on the title of the Forum, Better Health through Global Research Partnerships, she suggested that the meeting was well timed: “Looking at the challenges of the world has faced in the recent past. Now, more than ever, we need partnerships, and not just partnerships: the partnerships should be built on mutual respect, shared priorities, and long-term commitments.”

Professor Alexander Debrah, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana, is this year’s winner of EDCTP’s Dr Pascoal Mocumbi Prize.

The Dr Pascoal Mocumbi Prize, awarded every two years, recognises outstanding achievements in advancing health research and capacity development in Africa having significant impact on the wellbeing of African populations. During Sunday’s opening plenary session, Professor Debrah was introduced by Marcel Tanner, EDCTP High Representative for Europe, who noted that the award “was recognition of outstanding, wonderful contributions, not only in science, not only in just writing a paper, but also in building capacity and also being interested in carrying the product of science through to communities.”

Kigali, Rwanda,15 June 2025

Over 1,600 global health researchers and leaders are gathering for the Twelfth EDCTP Forum in Kigali, Rwanda from 15-20 June to showcase the latest developments in health research tackling neglected and poverty-related diseases.

Participants in the Twelfth EDCTP Forum can now access the official networking app, designed to enhance engagement and collaboration throughout the event. Powered by B2match, the platform supports participation before, during, and after the forum. The networking app can be used on a computer and a phone.

Following the call for abstracts launched on 22 November 2024, Global Health EDCTP3 has received 718 abstract proposals. Out of these, 322 abstracts have been selected by the Programme Committee to present at the Twelfth EDCTP Forum. 

Global Health EDCTP3 invites the submission of abstracts and scientific symposia to be presented during the Twelfth EDCTP Forum that will take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from 15-20 June 2025. The deadline for submissions is 23 February 2025.

Under the theme ‘Better health through global research partnerships’,  the Twelfth EDCTP Forum is hosted by the Ministry of Health of Rwanda and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, and jointly organised by Global Health EDCTP3 and the EDCTP Association.  

We are delighted to announce that the Twelfth EDCTP Forum will take place on 15-20 June 2025, at the Kigali Convention Centre in Kigali, Rwanda. The event will be hosted by the Ministry of Health of Rwanda and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, and jointly organised by Global Health EDCTP3 and the EDCTP Association. 

The theme for the 2025 Forum is “Better health through global research partnerships”.