Theme
“Building Evidence for Health Equity and Resilient Health Systems”
Summary
The 6th Annual ABReN Research Conference was successfully held on November 2025, bringing together researchers, clinicians, and innovators from across Ethiopia and the diaspora. The event was hosted online via Zoom, making it accessible to participants from multiple time zones. Nearly 65 attendees joined the conference, reflecting the growing engagement and momentum of the ABReN scientific community. The central theme of this year’s conference — “Building Evidence for Health Equity and Resilient Health Systems” — emphasized the urgent need for science-driven solutions to health challenges affecting Ethiopian and African communities. The discussions highlighted how research can be translated into practice, support decision-making, and inform the design of equitable public health systems capable of withstanding economic, disease, and environmental pressures. A remarkable 24 research papers were presented, primarily by PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers, showcasing a wide range of cutting-edge work. Topics spanned epidemiology, biomedical science, genomics, clinical systems, digital health, and evidence-based healthcare delivery. The diversity of presentations clearly illustrated the significant contributions of Ethiopian early-career scientists who are advancing innovation both within the continent and across global institutions. The conference featured a highly anticipated keynote address by Dr. Nebyu Dereje from the Africa CDC. His talk explored Africa’s evolving health landscape, the lessons learned from regional outbreaks, and the importance of building resilient, community-centred health systems. His insights strongly resonated with the theme of the event and provided practical perspectives on strengthening evidence-based leadership in Africa’s health sector. Overall, the ABReN Research Conference 2025 reinforced the network’s mission: connecting Ethiopian researchers, fostering collaboration, and elevating scientific excellence. The dynamic discussions and the quality of research presented demonstrated the community’s growing influence and its commitment to supporting a healthier, more equitable future for Ethiopia and beyond.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Nebiyu Dereje