Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases
September 22-26, 2025
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
The West African Health Organization (WAHO) is convening the second ECOWAS Lassa Fever International Conference (LIC), themed “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases.” This conference builds on the foundation of the first Lassa Fever International Conference held in Abuja, Nigeria, in January 2019. It aims to encourage regional coordination, share scientific knowledge, and strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration, focusing on ensuring that endemic Lassa fever countries in West Africa are also cooperating and collaborating effectively. The conference will convene policymakers, researchers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders, and it will be a significant moment for rethinking and shaping the region's approach to managing this persistent threat. The conference will promote the development of a regional roadmap that will prioritise research on Lassa, enhance response capacity, and improve diagnostic capabilities. Strengthening regional research capacity will not only support the fight against Lassa fever but also contribute to broader health security efforts, including pandemic preparedness.
Opportunity to Host a Side Event or Workshop
The West African Health Organization (WAHO) invites organisations to host official side events and workshops at the ECOWAS Lassa Fever International Conference 2025. This is an opportunity to engage with key stakeholders. The side events will amplify the conference discussions by showcasing best practices, facilitating knowledge exchange, promoting collaborative efforts within the public health sector, and contributing to the global fight against Lassa fever and other emerging infectious diseases.
To ensure clarity, LIC 2025 side events will include: Hands-on training sessions focusing on capacity building, panel discussions, fireside chats, and policy dialogues in line with the conference pillars.
Why Host a Side Event?
Hosting a side event at LIC 2025 will allow organizations to:
- Promote advancements and innovations in outbreak preparedness and response, technologies, vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics.
- Present research findings, case studies, and innovative solutions to an influential audience.
- Facilitate discussions on critical issues related to epidemic preparedness, cross-border coordination, medical countermeasure development, and public-private partnerships.
- Engage directly with policymakers, researchers, funders, and international health leaders.
- Increase visibility among global health stakeholders attending the conference.
- Build partnerships and secure funding opportunities for ongoing and future projects.
Conference pillars
All proposed side events and workshops must align with the conference theme and one or more of six pillars.
Types of Events
LIC 2025 side events could include hands-on training sessions focusing on capacity building, panel discussions, fireside chats, and policy dialogues, in line with the conference's pillars.
Side Event Packages
Hosting a parallel session at LIC 2025 can be accomplished through any of the categories outlined below. Additional services or specific session delivery requirements are available at an added cost and can be arranged separately.
Category 1
$5,000
- 50-person capacity room
- Audio and visual equipment (two microphones and access to WIFI)
- Listing in the official conference program
- One complimentary conference registration waiver
- Dedicated conference staff support during the session
- Translation service in ECOWAS languages
Category 2
$7,000
- 80-person capacity room
- Audio and visual equipment, including more than two microphones, access to WIFI, and a screen
- Listing in the official conference program
- Dedicated conference staff support during the session
- Translation service in ECOWAS languages
- Two complimentary conference registration waivers
- Promotion of the side event on LIC channels, up to 2 posts across the platforms
- Livestreaming of the event
Category 3
$10,000
- More than 100 people capacity room
- Audio and visual equipment, including more than two microphones, access to WIFI, and a screen
- Listing in the official conference program
- Three complimentary conference registration waivers
- Dedicated conference staff support during the session
- Livestreaming of the session
- Translation service in ECOWAS languages
- Announcement of the side event in the ECOWAS Lassa Lens newsletters
- Promotion of the side event on LIC channels, up to 4 posts across the platforms
Application Process
Interested organisations should submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) with a maximum of 350 words detailing:
- Organization details: Name of organization, country, contact person, email and phone number.
- Proposed event title and theme: Relevance to the conference theme and pillars.
- Session Type: Indicate the type of side event—workshop, policy dialogue, training session, or round table.
- Description: Provide a description of your proposed side event, outlining how it aligns with the pillars of the LIC 2025 and expected outcomes.
- Proposed Speakers/Facilitators: Brief profiles of key speakers or moderators.
- Expected Audience: Target participants and estimated number of guests.
- Duration of the side event: Indicate how long this is expected to take.
Selection Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated based on:
- Relevance to Conference Theme and Pillars – Ensuring thematic alignment with LIC 2025.
- Innovative Approach – Preference for events introducing new research, technologies, or strategies.
- Engagement and Interactivity – Preference for sessions that promote discussion and collaboration.
- Feasibility – Practicality of implementation within the conference schedule.
- Impact & Scalability – Preference for initiatives with long-term potential beyond LIC 2025.
Deadline for Submissions
EOIs must be submitted by 11:59 pm on the 30 of June 2025 to be considered for inclusion in the official conference programme. All applicants will be contacted by the sponsorship team to discuss available sponsorship packages and logistical arrangements.
Submission & Contact Details
For more information and to submit your EOI, contact the conference organising team at Contact partner@lfic2025.org
Join us at the ECOWAS Lassa Fever International Conference 2025 to shape the dialogue and advance action on epidemic preparedness and response!!
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