During his tenure as High Representative, Dr Mocumbi assisted EDCTP in building political support, particularly in Africa. He was engaged in many international meetings with high-level representatives from Africa and Europe, including a meeting with the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and other stakeholders to discuss current and future challenges related to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. In 2011, he represented EDCTP at the Senior Officers of the EU-AU Meeting (SOM EU-AU) dialogue. Most recently, he addressed the High-Level Meetings on the second EDCTP programme in Cape Town, South Africa (2012), and the Second High-Level Meeting on EDCTP2 in Dakar, Senegal (2013).
Dr Pascoal Mocumbi takes his leave as the EDCTP High Representative
06 May 2014
With the end of the first programme nearing, Dr Pascoal Mocumbi has taken his leave as the High Representative of the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP). Dr Mocumbi, Prime Minister of Mozambique from 1994 to 2004, joined EDCTP in March 2004. As the EDCTP High Representative, he has played an important role in raising the profile of EDCTP, particularly with African governments.
“We are extremely grateful for the tremendous work done by Dr Mocumbi in advocating for the EDCTP programme globally and especially in sub-Saharan Africa. He opened doors for EDCTP in countless ways over the last decade..”
Professor Charles S. Mgone, EDCTP Executive Director
Dr Pascoal Mocumbi, Ms Agnes van Ardenne, Min. for Development Cooperation (Netherlands), and Dr Piero Olliaro, EDCTP Executive Director, at opening of EDCTP The Hague Office, 4 February 2004
Mr José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, and Dr Mocumbi at a meeting with key stakeholders engaged in the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria in 2007
Dr Mocumbi: “I am very glad and proud to have been part of EDCTP. Today, the approval of EDCTP2 and African countries joining the EDCTP Association as full members is wonderful. It creates great opportunities for African research institutions with the support of their governements. This is important. Africa is no longer a place that only provides volunteers for clinical trials. EDCTP’s contribution has made a difference, after a decade there is not just a few but hundreds of African researchers adequately equipped to conduct or coordinate clinical trials.”
Pascoal Mocumbi obtained his medical degree from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1973. After completing his studies, he returned to Mozambique where he practiced medicine as obstetrician and gynaecologist in hospitals throughout the country.
He was Prime Minister of Mozambique from 1994 to 2004. Prior to that, he headed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 8 years and the Ministry of Health for 6 years. From 1989 to 1998, Dr Mocumbi served in the World Health Organization’s Task Force on Health and Development.
In 2005, he was appointed WHO Good Will Ambassador for Maternal, New-born and Child Health for the African Region. He has also had an active role in other global health initiatives.