UNESCO-Merck Africa Research Summit

The UNESCO-Merck Africa Research Summit (UNESCO-MARS) is an annual conference aimed at building research capacity in Africa, particularly in life sciences and health. It is a collaborative initiative between UNESCO and the Merck Foundation, focusing on empowering women and young researchers, promoting scientific excellence, and addressing health challenges across the African continent.

Objectives

The objectives of UNESCO-MARS include:

• Enhancing research capacity within the African scientific community.
• Supporting health decision-making in low and middle-income countries through innovative research.
• Empowering young and female African researchers, encouraging their contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
• Facilitating networking opportunities for African researchers to strengthen their impact.
• Identifying and proposing solutions to sustainability challenges in Africa.

History

The summit was launched in 2015, and subsequent editions have addressed a variety of pressing research topics, including infectious diseases, cancer, vaccine development, and the empowerment of women in STEM.

2015 Edition

The inaugural UNESCO-MARS was held in Geneva, Switzerland. It focused on the role of research in improving public health and sustainable development across Africa.

2016 Edition

The second summit took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This edition emphasized the role of research in tackling infectious diseases, including HIV and Ebola, and its impact on strengthening health systems in Africa.

2017 Edition

In 2017, the summit was held in Port Louis, Mauritius. It focused on cancer research and vaccine development as key health challenges in Africa while promoting the empowerment of women and youth in STEM fields.

2019 Edition

The 2019 summit was hosted in Accra, Ghana, and centered on building research capacity to address health and sustainability challenges in low- and middle-income countries. It included a high-level roundtable discussion with African ministers and provided networking opportunities for researchers.

Awards and Recognition

The summit recognizes outstanding contributions by African researchers through the following awards:

• **Best Young African Researcher Award** – Celebrates young scientists who demonstrate exceptional research achievements.
• **Best African Woman Researcher Award** – Highlights the contributions of female researchers to STEM and public health.

Partnerships

The UNESCO-MARS summit collaborates with various stakeholders, including:

• African Union Scientific, Technical and Research Commission (AU-STRC): Supporting innovation and research on the continent.
• University of Cambridge: Providing expertise in scientific research and mentoring.
• African Governments: Engaging policymakers to drive research-led health initiatives.

Impact

The summit has played a pivotal role in:

• Building research capacity in Africa.
• Empowering women and youth in scientific research.
• Addressing key health challenges such as infectious diseases, cancer, and vaccine development.
• Strengthening partnerships to promote sustainability and public health across the continent.