African High Commissioners and Ambassadors in Pretoria met EDCTP
African High Commissioners and Ambassadors from 28 countries accredited to South Africa met with EDCTP in Pretoria on 11 July 2019. The meeting was hosted by the Mozambique High Commission and EDCTP. The objective of the meeting was to inform the Ambassadors and High Commissioners about the EDCTP activities in sub-Saharan Africa. EDCTP aims to increase the political and financial support of African countries for clinical research and the development of the associated research capacity in Africa, as part of the common pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals.
“For us the meeting offered a treasure of insights on balanced strategies for further strengthening relationships with African governments. The EDCTP Programme was applauded for its approach in fostering international collaborations— cited as an example, South Africa has so far established research collaborations with 13 European and 20 African countries through this partnership.”
Dr Michael Makanga, EDCTP Executive Director
The participants appreciated this initiative to reach out to the diplomatic community in order to keep it informed of the EDCTP activities and future aspirations on the continent. As an example of international collaboration with the support of EDCTP, South Africa was mentioned. So far, it has established research collaborations with 13 European and 20 African countries through this partnership.
“The participants appreciated the work being carried out by the EDCTP in Africa and the encounter increased their awareness of the need for a greater participation of their governments in supporting medical research in their countries. There were suggestions to have annual meetings of this kind.”
Dr Leonardo Simão, EDCTP High Representative for Africa
Twenty-eight countries were represented at the meeting: Mozambique, Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Mali, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Not all of the 26 sub-Saharan countries represented were yet a member of the EDCTP Association, the organisation responsible for the implementation of the second EDCTP programme. Its governing body, the General Assembly, ensures that all necessary activities are undertaken to achieve the statutory objectives of EDCTP and that its resources are properly and efficiently managed. The General Assembly entrusts the management of the Association and the oversight of the Executive Secretariat to the EDCTP Association Board.
