Keynote Speakers

Dr. Ahmed Kadle
Rector of Abrar University, President of Somali One Health
Dr. Ahmed Kadle is the Rector of Abrar University, bringing a wealth of academic and leadership expertise. His strategic initiatives are geared towards advancing quality education and contributing to the revitalization of our country's industrialization through academic practice, expanding research, fostering community engagement, and extending efforts to develop agro-industries to ensure student success, community well-being, and broader socio-economic development. Renowned for his significant contributions to research and his advocacy for the institutionalization and operationalization of One Health in Somalia, Dr. Kadle stands as a visionary leader shaping the future of higher education, research, and One Health actions in Somalia. Dr. Kadle earned his PhD from the Federal University of Parana, Brazil. His research activities focus on the epidemiology of vector and vector-borne diseases from a global One Health perspective.

H.E. Dr. Maryan Qasim
Former Minister of Health, Education, and Social Services, Somalia
H.E. Dr. Maryan Qasim is a distinguished figure with a multifaceted career spanning over four decades. Her expertise as a medical doctor specializing in obstetrics and gynaecology is complemented by her dedication as an educator and community activist across Somalia, Yemen, the Netherlands, and Great Britain. She has held various high-level governmental roles. In 2017, Dr. Qasim was at the forefront of humanitarian efforts and disaster management as a Minister in the Federal Government of Somalia. She has a rich history of public service, including tenure as the Minister for Health, Education, and Social Services from 2012 to 2014, and earlier, from 2010 to 2011, as the Minister for Women's Development and Family Welfare. Further elevating her commitment to societal betterment, from 2014 to 2017, she championed maternal health as the Goodwill Ambassador for the Campaign for Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA). She also made a significant impact as the Senior Special Advisor on policy and strategy at the UNFPA Somalia Country Office, where she concentrated on improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes from 2018 to 2023. Beyond her professional pursuits, Dr. Qasim is a polyglot, fluent in Somali, English, Dutch, Italian and Arabic. Her linguistic skills reflect her global perspective and her ability to engage with diverse communities effectively.
Prof. Dr. Wondwossen Gebreyes
Executive Director and President, Global One Health initiative, Ohio State University, USA
Prof. Dr. Wondwossen Gebreyes
Executive Director and President, Global One Health initiative, Ohio State University, USA
<strong> </strong>Dr. Gebreyes is a Hazel C. Youngberg Distinguished Professor of molecular epidemiology and Executive Director of the Global One Health Initiative (GOHi) at Ohio State University. Dr. Gebreyes is a member of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) and was recently appointed to the Advisory Board of the National Institutes of Health, Fogarty International Center. He is a fellow of the American Council on Education (ACE). Dr. Gebreyes completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia) and his PhD in Comparative Biomedical Sciences at North Carolina State University. Dr. Gebreyes is the principal investigator of several research and training programs sponsored by the National Institute of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others. He is engaged in food safety research activities mainly focused on antimicrobial resistance. Dr. Gebreyes co-founded the International Congress on Pathogens at the Human Animal Interface (ICOPHAI). He is a recipient of several awards including the NIH Gold Medallion (2019); <em>Universitas 21</em> International Award (2016); Michael P. Malone International Leadership Award by APLU (2015); Battelle Endowment for Technology and Human Affairs (BETHA); Honorary Diplomat of the American Veterinary Epidemiology Society (2017), Pfizer Award for Veterinary Research Excellence; Andrew Heiskell Award (honorable mention) by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and Emerging International Engagement award

Dr. Huyam Salih
Director of African Union - InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)
Dr. Salih possesses a distinguished Ph.D. in Veterinary Epidemiology, which has equipped her with an extensive knowledge base. With an impressive track record spanning over two decades, she has spearheaded numerous ground-breaking initiatives in the domains of livestock development, disease prevention, and animal health interventions, leaving an indelible impact on a global level.
Dr. Salih has demonstrated a remarkable level of proficiency and has made significant contributions in various areas. These areas encompass a wide range of expertise, which has been instrumental in enhancing their overall impact and effectiveness. Her extensive expertise and contributions include:
<ul>
<li>Risk assessment and early warning for Transboundary animal diseases and zoonoses.</li>
<li>Expanding livestock value chains, ensuring the linkage to smallholder producers.</li>
<li>Ensuring compliance with international SPS measures.</li>
<li>Strengthen capacities for antimicrobial resistance’s Monitoring and Evaluation, and support monitoring of the Global Action Plan on AMR (GAP) and FAO AMR Action Plan under the One Health Approach.</li>
</ul>
Additionally, Dr. Salih has played a pivotal role in championing the adoption of a One Health approach and facilitating extensive collaboration among various sectors to effectively tackle the pressing issues of Antimicrobial Resistance and zoonotic diseases.

Dr. Serge Nzietchueng
Visiting Associate Professor, University of Liege
Serge Nzietchueng is a visiting Associate Professor at the University of Liege. He has been an adjunction Assistant Professor at the Veterinary Population Medicine Department, the College of Veterinary Medicine and adjunct instructor at the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. He has supported several African countries to institutionalize and operational the One Health approach. He was co-reviewer of the European Commission One Health Joint Program, a program involving 43 scientific institutions from 22 countries. He was a member of the advisory group set up by the former Rwanda Minister of Health to advise him on Global Preparedness Monitoring Board technical matters.
He has assumed the position of Africa Deputy Director and Senior Technical Advisor and Regional Director for West & Central Africa of the USAID Preparedness and Response project/Emerging Pandemic Threat Program 2 (EPT-2). He was the regional technical advisor for the USAID Respond project for the West Congo Basin/ EPT-1 and the Animal Disease expert for the USAID Measure and Evaluation project. He worked as an epidemiological coordinator for the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and as a research assistant at the National Veterinary School of Nantes (France). He worked for the WHO Western Pacific regional office in the Philippines as an Animal health expert and for FAO ECTAD as One Health Coordinator.
Dr. Marina Madeo
Health Policy Advisor – Universal Health Coverage, World Health Organization, Somali
Dr. Marina Madeo
Health Policy Advisor – Universal Health Coverage, World Health Organization, Somali
Marina Madeo is a medical doctor and public health professional with over twenty years of experience in health development in countries, including fragile and conflict-affected states.
Health policy advisor with WHO in Somalia for three years, previously she served as a health systems specialist with global health initiatives and donor agencies, based in Europe, after several years in African countries as a public health professional, in capitals, and as a physician in rural areas with local governments and non-governmental organizations.

Dr. Anastasios D. Tsaousis
Reader in Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, University of Kent, UK
Dr. Anastasios Tsaousis is a distinguished scientist and researcher in the field of microbiology and parasitology. With a strong background in molecular biology, he has dedicated his career to unravelling the mysteries of microbial ecosystems, particularly focusing on parasites and their impact on both human health and the environment. He is currently holding an Academic Reader position at the University of Kent in the United Kingdom and he is the principal investigator of the Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology. He is currently the President of Protistology-UK and the Executive Secretary of the World Federation of Parasitologists.
Dr. Tsaousis has made significant contributions to the understanding of the microbiome, emphasising the intricate connections between gut health, soil health, and parasitic organisms. His pioneering research has shed light on the symbiotic and sometimes adversarial relationships between parasites, microbial communities, and host organisms. As a respected authority in his field, Dr. Tsaousis has authored numerous ground-breaking studies and publications that have expanded our knowledge of parasitology and microbiology. His work holds broad implications for healthcare, agriculture, and ecological conservation.
With a passion for scientific discovery and a commitment to sharing knowledge, Dr. Tsaousis continues to be at the forefront of research, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the microbial world and its relevance to our lives.
Dr. Abdulrazaq Yusuf Ahmed
Director General of Demartino Public Hospital, Ministry of Health, Somalia
Dr. Abdulrazaq Yusuf Ahmed
Director General of Demartino Public Hospital, Ministry of Health, Somalia
Dr. Abdulrazaq Yusuf Ahmed is a Senior Managing Director with extensive experience in leadership and management in the healthcare sector. He has 15 years of experience as a Senior Public Health Expert and Health Systems Specialist, specializing in disaster and outbreak management, and has extensive experience in leadership and management, he is a highly skilled public health expert and health systems specialist.
Currently, Dr. Abdulrazaq Yusuf Ahmed serves as the Director General of Demartino Public Hospital at the Ministry of Health in Somalia. During his tenure, he has implemented standard protocols and improved patient outcomes, reduced mortality rates and improving patient satisfaction scores Additionally, he has focused on quality improvement through data analytics, adoption of best practices, and staff capacity development.
In addition to his role at Demartino Public Hospital, Dr. Abdulrazaq has served as the National Incident Manager for COVID-19 at the Ministry of Health in Somalia. He has effectively coordinated the emergency response to the pandemic, leading the incident management team at national, state, and regional levels. He has also played a crucial role in pandemic preparedness and outbreak investigations, developing response protocols and procedures.
Dr. Abdulrazaq has held various roles in the healthcare sector, including Senior Advisor for Health Systems Building and Team Leader for Health System Strengthening Management at the Ministry of Health in Somalia. He has advised senior management on leadership and management of health systems strengthening and led planning activities for the effective implementation of health system strengthening action plans.
Dr. Abdulrazaq Yusuf Ahmed served as the Director of Medical Services and Deputy Director General at the Ministry of Health in Somalia. In this role, he was responsible for coordinating health activities, conducting supervisions, and managing regional health
authorities. He also carried out trainings for Ministry of Health staff, supervised medical and drug storages, and maintained data and health information management systems.
Dr. Abdulrazaq holds a Master of Public Health Management with a specialization in Infectious Disease from the James Linda Institute in Geneva. He has also completed a Master of Science in Health Management from the International Telematic University in Rome. He has a Postgraduate Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease from the University of New South Wales in Australia, and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Benadir University in Mogadishu. He also holds certificates in Disaster Management and Control Strategy for Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases.
In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Abdulrazaq Yusuf Ahmed has completed a
Certificate of Executive Leadership in Public Health and Research. He has also participated in various courses, including a Certificate course on Control Strategy for Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases from the Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam and a Postgraduate training course on advanced hospital management from the World Health Organization.
Outside of his professional roles, Dr. Abdulrazaq Yusuf Ahmed serves as a Board Director of Darul-Hikma University, where he also chairs the Governing Board. He has previous experience as an Assistant Lecturer at Banadir University and as a Lecturer and Teacher at Somali International University, where he taught medical students and supported academic processes, he has taught courses on systemic pathology and lectured on nutrition, haematology, and research methodology at Somali International University
Dr. Abdulrazaq Yusuf Ahmed has made significant contributions to the healthcare sector through his leadership and management skills. He has played a crucial role in improving patient outcomes, responding to emergencies and outbreaks, and strengthening health systems in Somalia.
Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman
Head of Research Department, Somali National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health and Social Services, Somalia
Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman
Head of Research Department, Somali National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health and Social Services, Somalia
Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman holds a Master’s degree in Veterinary Public Health from the University Putra, Malaysia. Currently, he is Head of the Public Health Research Department at the Somali National Institute of Health (NIH) and a Senior Lecturer at Somali National University. He is interested in infectious diseases at the animal-human-food interface. His research area mainly focuses on the theme of animal infectious diseases, particularly zoonoses, food safety, and antimicrobial resistance.
Dr. Armelle Hebert
CEO, One Environmental Health, Operational & Scientific Advisor, One Sustainable Health Foundation, France
Dr. Armelle Hebert
CEO, One Environmental Health, Operational & Scientific Advisor, One Sustainable Health Foundation, France
15 years in both international Public Health, Environmental Health innovations and Science Policy, aiming to better protect human and ecosystem health from both infectious and chemical exposures, today fully committed to the integration of the Environment into One Health implementation at territories level and governance.
Immunologist, I have been working in the field of public policy, science, medicine, public health, and environmental health innovation. As an expert, project manager, and consultant with a strategic dimension, I have evolved at the interface of research, industries, territories, and institutions. I have notably supported innovative solutions for securing conventional as alternative (reuse) water treatment schemes regarding both chemical and biological pollution, to enforce regulatory and societal acceptability to anticipate climate challenges. I have federated a diversity of stakeholders to integrate Environmental Health and One Health capacities into synergistic best practices between the North and South.
Recently graduated from Sciences Po Paris in public development policies, potential Africa, to combine One Environmental major stakes and opportunities to public policy agendas, I act to promote the integration of Environmental Determinants of Health in All Policies.
My main next challenges are to raise awareness, train, and strengthen environmental health capacity building in southern countries to both promote smart and sustainable investments aiming to better protect living beings from environmental chemical pollution (air, water, soil, waste), reduce related chronic exposure and ever-growing NCDs health expenses, and actively enhance joint action programs, at intersectoral country level focused on key Environmental Determinants of Health (Air - Water - Soils - Waste).
In the spirit of Learning Territories, I mobilize decision-makers (public, private, academic, institutional, territories, NGOs, and civil society) to strengthen intersectoral synergies to preserve our common goods environmental determinants of health, in line with the SDGs, the UNEP-WHO strategic health-environment Alliance (HESA), and the international One Sustainable Health Foundation and initiative.