Belgium and Côte d’Ivoire join EDCTP Association
EDCTP is pleased to welcome Belgium and Côte d’Ivoire on board as the newest member countries of the EDCTP Association. Belgium will be represented in the EDCTP General Assembly by Dr Kathleen D’Hondt (Policy Analyst, Department Economy, Science and Innovation – Flemish Government) and Ms Jolien Roovers (Policy Analyst, Department Economy, Science and Innovation – Flemish Government). Côte d’Ivoire will be represented by Prof. Souleymane Konate (General Director of Research and Innovation, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research), and Dr Koumba Soumahoro (Head of the epidemiology and clinical research department, Pasteur Institute of Côte d’Ivoire).
“The participation of Côte d'Ivoire in the EDCTP Association is greatly valued and will further strengthen the voice of francophone Africa in EDCTP. We look forward to working with the government to reinforce its commitment to supporting clinical research and developing health research capacity in sub-Saharan Africa for the ultimate benefit of its people.”
Dr Leonardo Simão, EDCTP High Representative Africa
““Historically, Belgium has had strong links with EDCTP and substantial participation in EDCTP-funded activities. We are therefore delighted to welcome Belgium back to the EDCTP family and will benefit enormously from its expertise and long history of supporting training and research in tropical medicine in developing countries.”
Prof. Marcel Tanner, EDCTP High Representative Europe
Both countries have formalised their commitment to the EDCTP Association for participation in the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking. Belgium formally submitted an expression of interest in joining the EDCTP Association in February 2022, which was unanimously approved by the Association members on 23 March 2022. Côte d’Ivoire formally submitted an expression of interest in joining the EDCTP Association in October 2021, which was unanimously approved by the Association members on 17 November 2021, together with an expression of interest that had also been received earlier in the year from Kenya. Kenya was simultaneously admitted to the EDCTP Association and is currently completing the official commitment paperwork to formalise its membership.
The EDCTP Association is the legal structure for the implementation of the second EDCTP programme (EDCTP2, 2014-2024). Additionally, the EDCTP Association is part of the Global Heath EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking with the European Union, which is the legal structure to implement the activities of the third EDCTP programme (Global Health EDCTP3, 2021-2031). The EDCTP Association is governed by its General Assembly, in which Members (Participating States), Aspirant Members and Observers are represented (see the Articles of Association for more information on full and aspirant membership). EDCTP2 is supported under Horizon 2020, the European Union’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Global Health EDCTP3 is supported under Horizon Europe, the European Union’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.
More information on membership of the EDCTP Association.