A delegation from the European Union (EU) to Ethiopia and the African Union (AU) visited the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) on Feb 06, 2024. The delegation was led by Mrs.Caroline Gennez, the Belgian Minister of Cooperation and H.E Stella Kyriakides, European Union Commissioner for Health and Food Safety. H.E. Dr. Lia Taddesse, FDRE Minister of Health, received the delegation at AHRI and made roundtable discussions. The theme of the visit was “Health, Focus on Conducive Health Ecosystem/ The Production Chain”. The delegation was welcomed by Prof. Afework Kassu, the Director General of AHRI.
H.E. Dr. Lia Tadesse, FDRE Minster of Health (middle), Mrs. Caroline Gennez, the Belgian Minister of Cooperation (left) and H.E Stella Kyriakides, European Union Commissioner for Health and Food Safety (right) roundtable table discussions; Feb 06, 2024
H.E. Dr. Lia Tadesse, FDRE Minster of Health and Prof. Afework Kassu, Director General of Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) delivering brief welcoming speeches to the European Union (EU) Delegation; Feb 06, 2024
The session started with a lunch talk where by Prof. Damen Hailemariam & Prof. Wim van Damme made oral briefing on: Primary Health Care as a Cornerstone to Universal Health Care Coverage. Following the lunch talk, the delegation visited some of the laboratories and facilities of AHRI, where they interacted with the researchers and staff. They were impressed by the quality and diversity of the research conducted at AHRI, as well as by the dedication and enthusiasm of the researchers. They also appreciated the efforts made by AHRI to train and mentor young African scientists and to promote gender equality and social inclusion in research.
H.E. Mrs. Caroline Gennez, the Belgian Minister of Cooperation visiting AHRI APOPO HeroRats with Prof. Afework Kassu, Director General of AHRI; Feb 06, 2024
The European Union delegation leaders visiting AHRI’s state-of-the-art next generation genome sequencing laboratory; Feb 06, 2024
The visit was concluded with a meeting where by Prof. Afework Kassu, Director General of AHRI and Mr. Seyoum Wolde, Deputy Director General of Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) made brief presentations to the delegation. Prof. Afework’s presentation was titled: Missions and Challenges of Research Institute in Africa: The case of Armauer Hansen Research Institute. In his presentation, Prof. Afework explained overview of research Institutes in Africa, Armauer Hansen Research Institute’s historical background and current stature and finally collaboration interests with EU and member countries He also highlighted some of the major research projects and collaborations that AHRI is conducting. He expressed his gratitude to the EU for its continuous support and funding to AHRI and other research institutions in Africa. Mr. Seyoum Wolde’s presentation was on: Regulatory Landscape of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in Africa: The Case of Ethiopia.
Prof. Afework Kassu, director General of Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) making presentation to the European Union delegation members; Feb 06, 2024
The visit concluded with a question and answer as well as reflections, where the delegation exchanged views and ideas with the AHRI senior leadership and they agreed on the need to foster more synergies and complementarities between the EU, the AU and AHRI, as well as other stakeholders, in order to address the health priorities and challenges in Africa.
H.E. Dr. Lia Tadesse, FDRE Minister of Health, Mrs. Caroline Gennez, the Belgian Minister of Cooperation, H.E Stella Kyriakides, European Union Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General for Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (AfCDC) and senior leaders of AHRI and other members of the delegation on a pause at the conclusion of the visit to mark the event, Feb 06,2024.