The EDCTP Association continued to expand in 2022, with the incorporation of Belgium, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea-Conakry and Rwanda. By the end of 2022, the Association consisted of 15 European and 21 African member countries.
Six new appointees were made to the EDCTP Association Board in June 2022. The Board is responsible for managing the EDCTP Association and supervising the Secretariat on behalf of the EDCTP General Assembly. The appointees include representatives from France, Germany, South Africa, Sweden, Uganda and Zambia. EDCTP wishes to thank outgoing Association Board members for their invaluable support and guidance.
In December 2022, the EDCTP Association and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) signed a memorandum of understanding to encourage and promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Key areas of focus will include incorporation of genome engineering technology into EDCTP-funded networks, joint activities in capacity-building, and co-funding of projects in areas of mutual interest. ICGEB has 66 member states, 23 of which are in Africa.
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On 17 February 2022, the Advisory Group on Research and Innovation (R&I) for Africa–Europe Cooperation highlighted the role played by EDCTP in strengthening capacity in Africa. Health is one of four themes in this report, alongside R&I capacities, technology and innovation, and green transition. The Advisory Group’s recommendations on how to make R&I a driver for sustainable development in AU–EU relations will help to shape the future of African–European policies and partnerships.
The recommendations recognise the need for increased investments in institutional capacities and training, R&I policy and governance, infrastructure and institutions, human capacity development, knowledge management and funding, and cooperation and partnerships. EDCTP is specifically highlighted as “the most cited joint programme strengthening health research and health systems in Africa”.
Furthermore, EDCTP is one of the action lines of the EU Global Health Strategy published in 2022, which aims to ensure that innovative vaccines, treatments and diagnostics are developed and used in sub-Saharan Africa. In the working document of the African Union – European Union Innovation Agenda, also published in 2022, EDCTP is listed as one of the key public health initiatives to support networking, capacity-building and technology transfer.
EDCTP’s contribution to Europe–Africa partnerships has been flagged in an influential EU report, while the EDCTP Association has added five new member states and an additional memorandum of understanding has been signed with an international body with a strong presence in Africa.
Building partnerships