Prof. Khaled
Abdel Ghaffar
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health, Egypt
Prof. Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar is the current Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research in Egypt and a Professor specializing in Oral Medicine, Diagnosis, Radiology, and Periodontology at the Faculty of Dentistry, Ain-Shams University. He has previously served as Vice President for Postgraduate Studies & Research and as Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at Ain-Shams University. His distinguished career is highlighted by significant honors including the 1994 IADR Edward Hatton Award and Unilever Travel Award for Best Research in the USA, top research rankings at Euro-Perio in Paris (1994) and at Ain-Shams University (1999), as well as the 2001 Distinguished National Medical Award from the National Academy for Scientific Research. Additionally, he has been recognized as an Academic Associate Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (2015), received an honorary doctorate from the University of Hiroshima, Japan, and an honorary fellowship from The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (2019).
Dr. Mónica García Gómez
Minister of Health, Kingdom of Spain
She has been spokesperson in the Madrid Assembly for Más Madrid and an anesthesiologist at the public Hospital 12 de Octubre. She graduated in Medicine and Surgery at the Complutense University of Madrid and completed a master's degree in Clinical Management at the National School of Health. She specialized in Anaesthesiology and Resuscitation at the Hospital 12 de Octubre. She was an activist in the Marea Blanca between 2012 and 2013, being its spokesperson. In 2015 she was elected as a member of the Madrid Assembly. In the 2021 elections, she ran for the first time as a candidate for the Madrid presidency in the regional elections and repeated in the elections of 28 May 2023. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she combined her work in the ICU of the Hospital 12 de Octubre with her work as a Member of Parliament.
Fernando Joaquin Boyd Galindo
Minister of Health of the Republic of Panama
With an outstanding career in dentistry, Fernando Boyd has combined his extensive clinical experience with a strategic approach to management and leadership in the healthcare sector. He currently serves as the Minister of Health of Panama, where he leads the development of innovative and sustainable health policies to improve public health. His academic background, which includes studies at prestigious institutions such as McGill University and the University of Pennsylvania, along with a specialization in periodontics, has allowed him to integrate clinical practice with a global vision of health. Throughout his career, Boyd has demonstrated exemplary leadership both professionally and within professional associations. He has been the president of the Panamanian Dental Association, president of the Federation of Central American and Panamanian Dentistry and has represented health sector unions in key commissions and boards. Additionally, he has shown a continuous commitment to education, serving as a university professor and president of various social welfare entities. His ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and make strategic decisions has been essential in promoting a culture of continuous improvement, always prioritizing prevention, social welfare, and innovation in health services. Boyd continues to work tirelessly to consolidate an accessible and efficient healthcare system for all Panamanians.
DR. Ximena
Aguilera
Minister Of Health of Chile
Ximena Aguilera Sanhueza holds a Degree in Medicine from the Universidad de Chile, where she subsequently specialized in Public Health. She was senior advisor for Communicable Diseases at the Pan American Health Organization from 2008 to 2010. She was also head of the Health Planning Division at the Ministry of Health from 2005 to 2008 and national head of Epidemiology from 1999 to 2005. Prior to her appointment as Health Minister, she served as director of the Center for Epidemiology and Health Policy in the Faculty of Medicine at Clínica Alemana - Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile, and President of the Independent Advisory Board for the COVID-19 response, which has been working with the Chilean Ministry of Health since the beginning of the pandemic. She was also a member of WHO's technical advisory group on SARS-CoV-2 evolution. Aguilera, as head of Epidemiology at MoH Chile, worked on different diseases, including hantavirus emergence in Chile and a cholera outbreak from bordering Peru. She joined the Steering Committee of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) organized by WHO, and in 2003 was invited by WHO to Beijing to participate in the WHO mission to support the Chinese effort to control the original outbreak of SARS-CoV in Asia and Canada. Aguilera also represented Chile in the 2005 negotiation of the International Health Regulations (IHR), which enabled 196 nations, through WHO, to build the capacity to detect and report potential public health emergencies worldwide. She was also part of the committee that reviewed how IHR functioned during COVID-19. Her research interests are related to epidemiology applied to health policies and the evaluation of health services focused on inequalities and global health related to communicable diseases of poverty and alert and response to epidemic outbreaks.
H.E. Prof. Mustapha Ferjani
Minister of Health, Republic of Tunisia
Appointed Minister of Health of the Republic of Tunisia on the 25th of August, 2024, Professor Mustapha FERJANI is a leading figure in the Tunisian medical field. Born on the 1st of January, 1961, in Tunis, he combines academic excellence, strategic leadership, and a commitment to improving health systems and ensuring equitable access to care.
H.E. Prof. Orazio Schillaci
Minister of Health, Italy
Professor Orazio Schillaci, MD physician, is the Minister of Health in the government led by Giorgia Meloni since October 2022. He is a full professor of Nuclear Medicine. He has served as the Rector of Tor Vergata University until October 2022 and as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the same university. In 2020, he was appointed as a member of the Scientific Committee of the Italian National Health Institute. He has held positions in numerous scientific organizations and is the author of over 350 peer-reviewed scientific publications, as well as a member of several editorial boards of international scientific journals
Dr. Tedros Adhanom
WHO Director - General
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is an Ethiopian public health expert and diplomat who has served as the Director-General of the World Health Organization since 2017, becoming the first African to lead the agency and earning re-election in May 2022. Born on March 3, 1965, in Asmara, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Asmara, a Master’s in Immunology of Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and a Ph.D. in Community Health from the University of Nottingham. Prior to his role at WHO, he significantly reformed Ethiopia’s healthcare system during his tenure as Minister of Health from 2005 to 2012 and later boosted the nation’s international profile as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2016. As WHO Director-General, he has focused on universal health coverage and emergency preparedness, notably leading the organization’s global response to the COVID-19 pandemic by advocating for equitable vaccine distribution and the strengthening of international health systems.
JEAN KASEYA
African CDC Director - GENERAL
Dr. Jean Kaseya was appointed Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa-CDC) during the thirty-sixth African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government in February 2023. Dr. Kaseya, a Congolese Medical Doctor with advanced degrees in Epidemiology and Community Health, brings to this position over 25 years of expertise in the field of public health, having held pivotal roles both at the national and international levels. As the Director-General of Africa-CDC, Dr. Kaseya oversees the organization’s fundamental political, strategic, and technical functions. At the forefront of his agenda is his commitment to advancing a transformative “New Deal” for Africa CDC, with the primary objective of strengthening health security across the continent. This undertaking involves establishing sustainable and innovative financing mechanisms, enhancing robust governance structures, cultivating technical expertise, strengthening health systems, and efficient response to health crises. Under Dr. Kaseya’s leadership, the Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC) demonstrated regional leadership by sounding the continental alarm for mpox and declaring the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Concern. His efforts facilitated accelerated regulatory approvals for vaccines and secured donation pledges from various countries. This progress was achieved by leveraging vaccine development during inter-outbreak periods, enabling a more agile and effective response to emerging health threats. Before assuming his role as Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr. Kaseya had a distinguished career, holding multiple significant roles. At the national level, Dr. Kaseya has been entrusted with significant responsibilities, contributing his expertise to the health initiatives of his home country. These roles have included serving as a Senior Adviser to President Laurent Desire Kabila at a ministerial level, where he played a vital role in shaping healthcare policies and strategies. Additionally, he has taken on roles such as the Head of Routine Immunization within the National Expanded Programme on Immunization, showcasing his dedication to enhancing healthcare delivery at the grassroots level. On the international stage, he has worked with prominent organizations such as UNICEF, Gavi, CHAI, and the World Health Organization, where he has been instrumental in driving forward various health initiatives of continental significance. Dr. Kaseya is a devoted family man and a proud father of three daughters.
Ambassador Alaa Hegazy
Permanent Representative of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Ambassador Alaa Mohamed Salah-Eldin Hegazy is a seasoned Egyptian diplomat currently serving as Egypt's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, a position he assumed in November 2024. Ambassador Hegazy holds a Master’s degree in International Political Economy from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. He also earned both a Bachelor of Science in Economics and an LLB in Law from Cairo University
Ambassador Marcos Gómez
Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Spain
Ambassador Marcos Gómez Martínez is a seasoned Spanish diplomat with a distinguished career in international relations. Born on June 30, 1965, in Artà, Balearic Islands, Spain, Gómez Martínez pursued legal studies at the Complutense University of Madrid, focusing on Spanish law. He furthered his education in French law at the University of Paris XI. In 1990, he joined the Spanish diplomatic service, graduating at the top of his class.
H.E. DR. Mary Ann Palermo
MAESTRAL Undersecretary of Health, Republic of the Philippines
Undersecretary Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral, a Fellow in both Pediatrics and Hospital Administration, and a Healthcare Leader, hails from Sta. Barbara, Iloilo and eventually moved to Negros Occidental. Known for her dedication in advancing public health, she earned her Doctorate in Medicine and undergraduate degree in Biology from the West Visayas State University in Lapaz, Iloilo. She further enhanced her expertise by earning an MBA in Hospital Administration from the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos, equipping her with a unique combination of medical and administrative acumen. Presently, she is in the final stages of completing her Doctorate in Public Administration from the Carlos Hilado Memorial State University. Before her tenure as Undersecretary, Usec. Palermo-Maestral served as Medical Specialist and subsequently became Chief of Clinics. Just after the COVID-19 pandemic, she was appointed Chief of Hospital II at the Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Negros Occidental, at the same time served as Special Adviser on Health to Mayor Albee Benitez of Bacolod City. She was a key personality in the fight against the COVID 19 during the Pandemic. Her leadership during the pandemic was instrumental in supporting both the medical staff and the local community, effectively guiding her institution through the complexities of patient care amidst evolving healthcare demands. A trusted collaborator with the Department of Health and the Provincial Health Office of Negros Occidental, Usec. Palermo-Maestral has continued her efforts in reinforcing public health systems, advocating for stronger healthcare infrastructure, and championing life-saving initiatives at local, national, and international levels. As a physician, a public health advocate, and a mother, she exemplifies a balanced commitment to health and well-being. Her vision for healthcare improvement continues to shape the future of health services in the Philippines, impacting lives in Negros Occidental and beyond.
H.E. MR. Michal Stofko
Vice Minister of Health, the Slovak Republic
Ing. Michal Štofko, PhD. worked in several medical institutions and companies. In addition, he was the chairman of the supervisory board of the Faculty Hospital in Nové Zámky and the vice-chairman of the Categorization commission of specialized medical material at the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic. As of November 2023, he is a State Secretary at Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic
H.E. DR. Yahui Jiao
Director General, Department of Medical Administration, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China
Prof. Eva Bermejo-Sánchez
Director of the Institute for Rare Diseases Research at Carlos III Health Institute
Director of the Institute for Rare Diseases Research (IIER), Scientific Researcher at Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Scientific Director of the ISCIII National Biobank. Professor in the "UNED-ISCIII PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences and Public Health." Member of the Advisory Committee of FEDER. Scientific Coordinator of the ECEMC (Spanish Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations) and its Clinical Network. Member of the Experts’ Network of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) and expert for the EMA (European Medicines Agency). Member of the External Expert Committee of the National Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction, Ministry of Health of Spain. She has served as President of the Executive Committee of the ICBDSR (International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance and Research) and is a researcher within this global network. She participates in the European networks EUROCAT (European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies) and ENTIS (European Network on Teratology Information Services). Principal Investigator at ISCIII for ERDERA (European Rare Diseases Research Alliance) and previously for the EJP RD (European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases). She received the "1988 Queen Sofía Award for Research on the Prevention of Disabilities," granted by the Real Patronato sobre Discapacidad, the "2004 CERMI.ES Award for Scientific and Social Research," and the “Distinguished Service Award for longstanding excellence, service and leadership,” granted by the ICBDSR in 2018. Director of the Institute for Rare Diseases Research (IIER), Scientific Researcher at Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Scientific Director of the ISCIII National Biobank. Professor in the "UNED-ISCIII PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences and Public Health." Member of the Advisory Committee of FEDER. Scientific Coordinator of the ECEMC (Spanish Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations) and its Clinical Network. Member of the Experts’ Network of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) and expert for the EMA (European Medicines Agency). Member of the External Expert Committee of the National Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction, Ministry of Health of Spain. She has served as President of the Executive Committee of the ICBDSR (International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance and Research) and is a researcher within this global network. She participates in the European networks EUROCAT (European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies) and ENTIS (European Network on Teratology Information Services). Principal Investigator at ISCIII for ERDERA (European Rare Diseases Research Alliance) and previously for the EJP RD (European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases). She received the "1988 Queen Sofía Award for Research on the Prevention of Disabilities," granted by the Real Patronato sobre Discapacidad, the "2004 CERMI.ES Award for Scientific and Social Research," and the “Distinguished Service Award for longstanding excellence, service and leadership,” granted by the ICBDSR in 2018.
Dr. Stephen Kingsmore
President & CEO, Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine
Stephen Kingsmore is President/CEO of Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine which is implementing pediatric genomic medicine across North America. He is also the David F. Hale Chair at Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego. Previously he was the Dee Lyons Chair in Genomic Medicine at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, President of the National Center for Genome Resources, Chief Operating Officer of Molecular Staging Inc., Vice President of Research at CuraGen Corporation, and Assistant Professor at the University of Florida. Dr. Kingsmore received BSc, MB, ChB, BAO and DSc degrees from the Queen’s University of Belfast. He did residency in internal medicine and fellowship at Duke University Medical Center. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists. He was a MedScape Physician of the year in 2012, received the 2013 Scripps Genomic Medicine award, 2013 ILCHUN prize of the Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and 2022 Precision Medicine World Conference Luminary Award. TIME magazine ranked his rapid genome diagnosis one of the top 10 medical breakthroughs of 2012. RCIGM has held two Guinness World Records for fastest time to genome-based diagnosis of genetic diseases. RCIGM is developing healthcare delivery solutions for rare genetic diseases of children involving artificial intelligence, cloud technology, telemedicine, and digital health. The initial applications are Rapid Precision Medicine – involving rapid genome-based diagnosis in inpatient children – and BeginNGS – involving genome screening of infant populations to detect and treat rare genetic diseases at or before symptom onset.
Dr. Soraya Bekkali
Senior Vice President, Head of the EUCAN and International Regions at Alexion, AstraZeneca
As Head of International, Soraya Bekkali leads International commercial operations and manages the regional functions at the International Headquarters based in Zurich, Switzerland. Before joining Alexion in 2021, Soraya spent five years in biotechs where she was Venture partner with SV-Health Investors, a global Venture Capital firm, and CEO and Director of the Board of Cellinta and of Gyroscope Therapeutics. Her extensive experience encompasses orphan drug development while at Orphan Europe and Lysogene, and broad industry expertise while at Sanofi, where she held increasing leadership positions over a 10-year period. Soraya was named one of the UK’s top 25 female leaders in healthcare and a “gene therapy pioneer” in 2019. Soraya obtained her medical degree from the University of Paris VII, specializing in clinical research, pharmacology, and biostatistics.
Dr. Rüdiger Krech
Director, WHO Health Promotion Department
Dr Rüdiger Krech is the Director of the Department of Health Promotion at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva since September 2019. He heads WHO's work on risk factors such as tobacco consumption and harmful use of alcohol; he is responsible for work on health-promoting settings and programs for more physical activity. In addition to the normative work, his team supports Member States with appropriate health promotion instruments, such as health literacy, empowerment and community engagement, public health legislation and fiscal measures to design well-being societies. Prior to this, Dr Krech was Director of Universal Health Coverage and Health Systems and played a key role in placing this issue on the global health agenda. From 2009-2014, Dr Krech was the Director of Social Determinants of Health, Human Rights, Ethics and Equity. Prior to joining WHO, Mr. Krech worked at the German Agency for International Cooperation (GiZ), where he developed and implemented the Social Protection agenda for Germany's development cooperation, and at the WHO Regional Office for Europe in Copenhagen, where he was Head of Unit for Healthy Ageing. Dr Krech studied educational science and human medicine and was one of the first public health (MPH) graduates of a German university in 1991. He was awarded a doctorate in public health (DrPH) at the University of Bielefeld. Mr. Krech is married and has three adult daughters
DR. Mohamed Bin Hamad Al-Thani
Director of Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention Programs, Qatar
Sheikh Dr. Mohamed Bin Hamad Al Thani is a distinguished public health leader and Director of the Department of Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention Programs at Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health. Renowned for his visionary leadership, he has been instrumental in advancing Qatar’s public health agenda by pioneering data-driven policies, fostering multi-sectoral collaborations, and addressing critical health challenges such as non-communicable diseases (NCDs). A dedicated advocate for holistic and equitable healthcare, Dr. Al Thani is currently playing a pivotal role in implementing Qatar’s National Health Strategy 2024-2030, where he leads efforts to integrate health into all sectors and promote evidence-based decision-making. His academic contributions as a Professor at Qatar University and Associate Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College reflect his commitment to mentoring the next generation of public health leaders. With extensive experience in modernizing health systems, supporting in public health emergency responses, and promoting global health collaborations, Dr. Al Thani is recognized internationally for his transformative impact on public health innovation and sustainability.
MR. Hermanus Van Duyne
Chief Executive Officer, HVD Group
Hermanus van Duyne is the Chief Executive Officer of HVD Group, bringing decades of international leadership experience across the biotechnology and diagnostics sectors. Prior to founding HVD Group, Mr. van Duyne served as Vice President International at Pharmacia Sweden until 1995, overseeing major business lines including Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Pharmacia Diagnostics, Biosensor AB, and Wallac OY. His leadership extended across diverse global markets, managing operations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. In 1995, Mr. van Duyne established a holding company in Switzerland, securing exclusive distribution agreements with Wallac OY for Austria, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as with Pharmacia Diagnostics for Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. During this period, he continued to serve as Vice President International for Amersham Pharmacia and Biosensor AB, expanding the company’s international footprint. In 2001, he founded HVD Biotech, securing an exclusive distribution agreement with Amersham Pharmacia for the Middle East and Africa. Under his leadership, HVD Group has built a substantial and dynamic network across three continents, solidifying its position as a trusted partner in the life sciences and diagnostics industries. Mr. van Duyne’s vision, strategic leadership, and commitment to excellence have been instrumental in driving the growth and global reach of HVD Group.
Ms. Alexandra Heumber Perry
Chief Executive Officer, Rare Diseases International
Alexandra Heumber Perry is the Chief Executive Officer of Rare Diseases International, the global alliance of Persons Living with a Rare Disease. She has dedicated her entire career to improving healthcare policies to benefit people living with diseases, with a particular focus on neglected and vulnerable people. She has over 20 years’ experience in global health with demonstrated capabilities in patient advocacy and multi-stakeholder partnership. As CEO of RDI, Alexandra sets the strategic direction, drives the organization's goals of raising awareness of rare diseases, improving access to diagnostics, treatments and care, advocating for the rights of patients around the world and representing its members and enhancing their capacities to ultimately improve lives of Persons Living with a Rare Disease.
Mr. Juan Carrión Tudela
President, Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases
Juan Carrión has presided over the Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases (FEDER) for more than 12 years with the strength and enthusiasm to lead an organization that listens to and focuses its activity on people with these pathologies or without diagnosis. His experience as a father and leader of the associative movement dates to 2008, when he founded the Association D'Genes in the Region of Murcia. Since then, he has been linked to the regional, national, and international associative movement, promoting in 2013 the Ibero-American Alliance for Rare Diseases (ALIBER), an entity that he has also chaired since its inception. Through this prism of representation of patients, families, and the associative movement at regional, national, and international level, it is today an interlocutor before the administration, the professional and scientific community, as well as before the industry, legitimizing the voice of the collective before different committees, working groups and decision-making spaces.
DR. Khaled Atallah
Counselor & Health Counsellor, Permanent Mission of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Dr. Khaled Morsi Atallah is a seasoned Egyptian diplomat currently serving as Health Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations in Geneva. With over 15 years of diplomatic experience, he leads Egypt’s engagement on global health matters within international organizations such as the World Health Organization. His extensive career includes postings in Beijing, Cairo, and Geneva, with a focus on global health diplomacy, Asia-Pacific relations, and multilateral negotiations. He previously advised the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Asia-Pacific affairs and served in various capacities across Egypt’s foreign service, including at the Arab League and the Embassy in China. Khaled holds a PhD in International and Regional Studies and a Master’s in International Politics from Beijing Language and Culture University. He is fluent in Arabic, English, French, and Mandarin. A frequent representative at global forums, Khaled is known for bridging diplomatic dialogue
MS. Kelly Du Plessis
Founder & CEO Rare Diseases South–Africa, IRDiRC Chair of Patient Advocacy
Committee and RDI Council Director
Kelly du Plessis is wife and mother of two children (aged 13 and 14) and the CEO and founder of Rare Diseases South Africa, a registered NPO. Rare Diseases SA was born out of necessity when her oldest child, Juan, was diagnosed with Pompe disease at 11 months old. Pompe disease is a rare, neuromuscular disorder which is fatal if left untreated. At the time, treatment for this rare condition was not available in South Africa, and so Kelly’s personal journey of patient advocacy started. Having dedicated her life and career to furthering the plight of those impacted by rare diseases in developing countries, Kelly serves on various boards and committees which focus on improving the quality of life for rare patients. In eight years, Kelly has taken Rare Disease policy and patient advocacy to new heights in South Africa and has presented at various national and international conferences to raise awareness and create a new narrative in terms of treatment and access for rare patients. Understanding the isolation and lack of support surrounding a rare disease diagnosis, providing a safe place for patients as well as families, and improving patient-centred care has become her passion. There are over 6500 patients and families impacted by rare diseases, and Kelly has assisted these individuals and ensured that patients’ voices are not forgotten. Kelly was awarded the African Leadership Award for healthcare (Dec 2016 – Mauritius) with other recent achievements including the winner of the Best Patient-Led Health Advocacy group by Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards, the successful launch of RareX (the first Rare Disease conference in Africa), founding Africa-Rare.org (an African alliance for Rare Diseases), as well as the implementation of International Rare Disease Day in South Africa (The public awareness campaign reached over 17 million South African’s in 2014). Future plans include further development of Africa-Rare.org across the continent as well as the development and implementation of a multidisciplinary center of excellence for rare conditions.
