Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78)

VENUE LOCATION:
Cure by Deerfield
345 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10010, USA
We will check your registration at the entrance. Please bring your ID.

Genomics Centres of Excellence in Africa

Genomics has the potential to significantly improve health outcomes in Africa.
Genomic research can help identify genetic variations that are associated with increased susceptibility to certain diseases prevalent in Africa, such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, as well as sickle cell disease and other non-communicable diseases. By understanding the genetic factors underlying these conditions, healthcare providers can develop targeted interventions, early detection methods, and personalized treatment plans to improve outcomes.
Genomic data can enable precision medicine, an approach that tailors medical treatments to individual patients or populations based on their genetic makeup. By analyzing an individual's genetic profile, healthcare professionals can predict their response to specific medications, reducing adverse drug reactions and optimizing treatment efficacy. This approach can be especially beneficial in Africa, where genetic diversity is high, and certain populations may exhibit different responses to drugs commonly used in Western medicine.

Genomic sequencing can aid in tracking and monitoring infectious diseases in real-time. By analyzing the genetic code of pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, scientists can identify outbreaks, trace the source of infections, and assess the effectiveness of treatment and prevention strategies. This information is crucial for developing targeted interventions and controlling the spread of diseases like Ebola, Lassa fever, and COVID-19.
Genomics research can contribute to capacity-building efforts in Africa by fostering collaborations between local scientists, international institutions, and researchers. This collaboration can help build local expertise, establish genomic research centres, and enhance scientific infrastructure. Moreover, increased research in genomics can lead to a better understanding of Africa's unique genetic diversity and the development of locally relevant solutions to health challenges.

The network of Genomics Centres of Excellence aims to facilitate the implementation of genomics to address several key SDGs, enabling African scientists to develop solutions to African challenges.

Agenda setting for the Genomics Centres of Excellence in Africa, including Research Cooperation and Capacity Building.
Friday, 15 Sept 2023

08h50
Welcome
Declan Kirrane Chair, Science Summit at UNGA78; Co-Convenor
Nicola Mulder Head of Computational Biology, University of Cape Town, PI H3ABioNet and eLwazi Open Data Science Platform Co-Convenor 
Seema Kumar Cure

09h00
Opening Plenary: Delivering African capacity in genomics technologies to address the disease burden and improve health across African nations and the world.
Charles Rotimi Chair
Agnes Binagwaho Former Vice Chancellor of The University of Global Health Equity, Rwanda
Francis Collins Senior Advisor, NIH; Former NIH Director; Former Acting Science Advisor to President Biden -introduce GenCoE


09h30
Genomics and Health Security in Africa
Yenew Kebede Tebeje Chair
Yenew Kebede, Head, Division of Laboratory Systems & Networks, Africa CDC
Charles Rotimi, Scientific Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute
Ambroise Wonkam, Director, McKusick-Nathans Institute and Department of Genetic Medicine
Nicola Mulder Head of Computational Biology, University of Cape Town, PI H3ABioNet and eLwazi Open Data Science Platform
Christian Happi Professor of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Department of Biological Sciences, Director of the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases

10h40
Panel I Addressing Inequities in Genomics for Health in Africa
Christian Happi Chair
Elmar Nimmesgern Interim Executive Director of the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking and Policy Officer, Research and Innovation European Commission
Funmi Olopade Director, Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics and Global Health, The University of Chicago, USA
Raheel Qamar Head of S&T Sector ICESCO

11h15
Plenary Extraordinary Opportunities: Realizing the Potential of Genomics Research and its Applications in Africa
Chair: Ambroise Wonkam
Harold Varmus, Chair of WHO Science Council
Sabin Nsanzimana Health Minister, Rwanda
Christian Happi, Director of the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases

12h00
Lunch: Fostering Transformative Change: Strategic Investment in Health Research Across Africa (by invitation)

13h45
Panel II Potential Impact of Investment in Genomics, a Funder Perspective
Francis Collins Chair
Padmashree Sampath African Development Bank
Christine Hertz-Fowler Wellcome Trust
David Blazes Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Nidhi Bouri USAID (virtual)

14h15 Plenary Exploring Essential Partnerships in Advancing Genomic Initiatives
Thomas Kariuki Chair
Rizwana Mia SAMRC, EU Africa PerMed
Mark McCarthy, Roche Genetech, PAGRA
Victoria Gray Sickle Cell Disease Patient Advocate

14h45 Plenary Data Governance, Regulation and Ethics in African Genomics
Nicola Mulder Chair:
Cecil O Lynch, Chief Medical Information Officer, Accenture
Paulina Tindana, University of Ghana School of Public Health Geoff Ginsburg, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of the All of Us Research Program
Geoff Ginsburg, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of the All of Us Research Program (virtual)

15h15
GenCoE Implementation & Recommendations for the UN and the UN Summit of the Future, September 2024
Magdalena Skipper Chair
Sabin Nsanzimana Health Minister, Rwanda
Ambroise Wonkam, Director, McKusick-Nathans Institute, and Department of Genetic Medicine
Christian Happi Professor of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Department of Biological Sciences, Director of the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases
Final comments from the panel.