Consultant ObGyn in Belfast from 1993-2017 specialising in Labour Ward, ultrasound & urogynaecology. In addition to his clinical expertise, he has a special interest in, Medical Education, Medical Leadership, Patient safety & Clinical Governance.

RCOG Senior Vice President (Global Health) 2013-2016.

RCOG Honorary Treasurer of RCOG from 2010-2013.

FIGO Scientific Program Committee Rio 2018 & Sydney 2021.

2016 – 2022 IJGO Sub Editor, Chair FIGO MAS Committee.

2020-2023 Special Advisor to FIGO Education & Advocacy Committee.

2023 – Current Chairman #FIGO2025 Congress Committee

Professor of Obstetrics and gynecology with over 20 years of experience in Research, administration and Academic Medicine, presently an Obstetrician gynecologist with PhD in public health focusing on infectious diseases and Maternal health. With vast experience in epidemiology, public health especially reproductive health, health systems strengthening, and health policy.
Held leadership positions both in academic; as Dean of school of Medicine and Pharmacy at University of Rwanda and in clinical; head of department of obstetrics and gynecology at University of Rwanda covering teaching hospitals in Rwanda, and Head of Department of Obstetrics and gynecology at University teaching hospital of Kigali.
Founded and chaired the department of education and research at University Teaching hospital of Kigali.
Presently serving as a Clinician and National chair of Maternal, Perinatal & Child death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) committee responsible for monitoring, evaluation and mitigating maternal and perinatal mortality in Rwanda.
Founding fellow of East Central and Southern African College of obstetricians and gynecologists (ECSACOG) and currently serving as chair of Education, Scientific and Research responsible for Education and training in the Region.
Member of East African Community Health Research Commission (EAHRC) – Expert Working Group on Research and Capacity Development.
Has made significant contributions to peer-review journals through, with over 120 peer reviewed publications as well as serving as an associate editor and board member for BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, PLOS one, Current Obstetrics & Gynecology Reports, and Rwanda Medical Journal.
Have significant experience in international collaborations such as Serving on several advisory committees on maternal health, antimalarial treatment groups, Scientific Committee Director for African Association of obstetrician gynaecologist (AFOG) and currently chairing Scientific committee for International Federation of Obstetrician gynecologists (FIGO).

She specialised in Gynaecology at the University of Pretoria and did a fellowship in Gynaecologic Oncology in Pretoria and at University Hospitals of Leuven, Edinburgh and Utrecht. She holds a PhD in gynaecologic cancer (genetics) from the University of Pretoria. She has visited numerous Universities locally and internationally as visiting researcher, professor, and lecturer.

Prof Greta Dreyer currently heads Gynaecologic Oncology at the University of Pretoria and the Steve Biko Hospital where she is actively involved in academic medicine as a clinician, researcher and teacher. Training highlights from the Unit include the first College examined subspecialist Gynaecologic Oncologist in South Africa and multiple previous and current local and international gynaecologic oncology fellows including trainees from Kenia, Belgium, Indonesia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Syria, the Netherlands, etc..

Much of prof Dreyer’s current research focuses on methods to improve access to, and effectiveness of cervical cancer prevention strategies. Other research interests and fields of expertise include management of inherited cancer risk, all aspects of advanced surgery for woman’s cancer and surgical training. For local, collaborative and multicentric work, she received research grants from several local and international institutes and has ongoing research contracts with multinational pharmaceutical, vaccine and bio-testing companies and collaboration with prominent South African and European Universities.

Greta Dreyer started and edited the Southern African Journal of Gynaecologic Oncology (a regional scholarly journal), edited the local peer reviewed O&G Forum and is a SA-NRF rated and awarded researcher. Publications include more than 70 peer reviewed research articles, 22 book chapters, 25 technical reports / guidelines, 11 PhD supervisions, and numerous published conference and keynote presentations.

She is an active member of societies in the fields of Gynaecology and Gynaecologic Oncology and has contributed widely in national and international bodies. She currently has leadership roles in the South African Society of Gynaecologic Oncology (Past President), College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the South African Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Past President). As the President Elect of the International Gynecologic Cancer Society she focuses on training to improve cancer surgery in Africa and the Middle-East and on international collaboration in the fight against cervical cancer.

Dr Haynes van der Merwe is a Gynaecologic Oncologist and is the current Head of the Gynaecologic Oncology Unit at Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch University.

After graduating with MBChB from Stellenbosch University in 1987 he did his Internship and another three years as Medical Officer in Paarl after which he worked as a General Practitioner in Paarl for almost 8 years. Following his training as registrar in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Tygerberg Hospital he was awarded FCOG by the COG and MMED (O & G) by Stellenbosch University in 2003. He took up a specialist position in the O & G Department at Tygerberg Hospital in 2003 and was registered as Sub-specialist Gynaecologic Oncologist in 2009. In 2016 he was appointed in his current position as the Head of the Gynaecologic Oncology Unit at Tygerberg Hospital.

He is also a member of the International Gynaecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) and member of South African Society of Gynaecologic Oncologists (SASGO). He is a member of the HPV Board (current secretary) and serves as a director on the HPV Cervical Cancer Research Fund (HCCRF). Dr Van der Merwe is the immediate past-President of the South African Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (SASOG) and as such is a member of the Executive Committee and Council.

Dr Van der Merwe has authored/co-authored 30 publications in international and local scientific journals and has authored 4 chapters in text books. He has given numerous presentations at international and national congresses.

Haynes is married to Esmaré and they have two wonderful children. He has a very keen interest in wine tasting and is a ball sport fanatic. He keeps fit in the gym and plays golf whenever he has free time over weekends.

Dr. Kihara Anne – Beatrice is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Nairobi, College of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology where she has worked for the past 15 years. Has a Fellowship from East Central Southern African College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists obtained in 2019 and completed Masters in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Nairobi in the year 1999. Has practiced as a Specialist Obstetrician Gynecologist in private and public hospitals in Nairobi, Kenya. Professionally, my career spans over 20 years providing clinical care; engaged in research; policy formulation; grant writing; strategic planning; project management; guideline development and advocacy. Been an external examiner of the postgraduate and undergraduate students at Moi University, College of Health Sciences, Eldoret, Kenya.

Activities include moderation of final year examinations, conduct of clinical examinations, review and grading of student thesis and submission of reports on their academic performance since 2019. Additionally, a member of the following committees since 2017: FIGO-Pregnancy and non-communicable disease and have publications, conduct capacity building, and made presentations at Congresses.

At the University of Nairobi engaged in curriculum development; examinations; disciplinary, welfare and mentorship committees. She has over 70 peer reviewed publications; 37 abstracts; 7 editorials publications; 2 referred books; 1 referred book chapter and proceedings; 6 manuals and training packages and 7 guidelines and standard operating procedures and 38 position and discussion papers shared Internationally, regionally and locally in countries namely: Cameroon, Israel, Italy, Nigeria, Norway, Rwanda, South Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, UK, Uganda and United Arab Emirates.

1995 – 2002: University and University Hospital Muenster, Germany

Residency in Gynecology and obstetrics, Medical School
Specialist Gynecology and Obstetrics, Fellowship in Special Obstetrics and Perinatology
Physician and Head Division of Obstetrics, Prenatal Medicine and Reproductive Medicine
Deputy Director Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

2002 – University Hospital Frankfurt Goethe-University

Full Professor and Chief, Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical School, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany

Academical, social and other Functions

German Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics DGGG
Executive Board member 2010 – 2022
Vice-president 2020 – 2022

European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology EBCOG
President November 2023

International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics FIGO
President elect October 2023
Executive Council Member 2015 – 2021
Chairman Scientific Program Committee – FIGO World Congress 2021
Adviser ECAC FIGO 2021-2023

President: German-Israel Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics

Member board quality management of the government of the Federal Republic of Germany

Planning commission for certification of perinatal centers

Medical Director School of Midwifery, Frankfurt/Main

Coordinator of Evidence Based Medicine Guidelines
President, German Women Health Foundation
2019 Fellow (ad eundeum), RCOG, Great Britain
2022 Honorary membership AOG, Ukraine
2022 Honorary membership SOG, Israel
2022 Active Fellow, AGOS, USA
2023 Fellow honorary FOGSI, India
2023 Fellow honorary RCPI, Ireland
2023 Fellow honorary MOGSI, India

Dr. Edgar Ivan Ortiz was born in Cali, Colombia, on February 9th, 1955. A dedicated Gynaecologist and Obstetrician with a Master’s in Public Health, he has consistently advocated for women’s rights and health throughout his career, which spans academia, public administration, and international health. His efforts have shaped public policies and significantly reduced maternal and perinatal mortality rates.

Since 1984, Dr. Ortiz has been a professor at Universidad del Valle, publishing extensively in his field. As Secretary of Health in Cali (1997-2000) and Acting Mayor, he implemented key health initiatives and managed public programs. He has also advised Colombia’s Ministry of Health on national policies in sexual and reproductive health.

Dr. Ortiz led the Colombian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2014-2016), aligning it with national policies and executing impactful projects. As President of FLASOG (2014-2017), he transformed the organization, advancing maternal health and reproductive rights across Latin America. Currently, he serves as the Regional Trustee for Latin America in FIGO, where he leads initiatives to enhance leadership and advocate for women’s rights.

His life’s work is dedicated to improving women’s health and supporting vulnerable populations, with a focus on strengthening FIGO as the global voice for women.

PRESIDENT FOGSI (Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India) 2021-2022
PROFESSOR OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
Sr. Laparoscopic Surgeon

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
I am a certified gynaecologist and obstetrician, specialising in laparoscopy and high-risk obstetrics. In 2016, I initiated a campaign, DHEERA on No to ‘violence against women’ (VAW) as a member of FIGO Working Group on No to VAW.

PROFESSIONAL ATTACHMENT
Consultant, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, India

POSITIONS HELD
Professional Organizations
President FOGSI (Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India) 2021- 2022
Chairperson Indian College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (ICOG) 2018-2019
Secretary Indian College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (ICOG) 2015 – 2017
Member of FIGO Working Group for ‘No’ to Violence Against Women (VAW) 2015 – 2018
Member of FIGO Committee for Human Rights, Refugees and Violence Against Women 2018 -2021
Vice President of Federation of Obstetric & Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) 2013
ICOG Governing Council Member 2012 – 2015
IAGE Managing Committee Member 2012– 2018 (Indian Association of Gynaecological Endoscopists)
Chairperson Clinical Education Committee IMS 2015-2016 (Indian Menopause Society)
National Corresponding Editor for The Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of India 2011-13
Secretary TCOGS 2015 -2018
FOGSI Chairperson Medical Norms Nomenclature Records Research Committee 2008 – 2010
Secretary – Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society of Hyderabad for the year 2011-12
VP, Treasurer & Joint Secretary Post in Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society of Hyderabad

Dr Ravi Chandran is a Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist practicing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and is currently the FIGO Honorary Secretary. He has served as the FIGO Regional Trustee for Asia Oceania from 2021-2023 and was a member of the COC of the 2023 FIGO World Congress in Paris. He is a Past President of the Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society of Malaysia as well as the Asia Oceania Federation of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

Blami Dao, a prominent Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from Burkina Faso, West Africa, boasts an impressive educational journey. His expertise was cultivated at the University of Dakar in Senegal, where he gained a strong foundation in medicine, obstetrics, and gynaecology. Additionally, he holds diplomas in Reproductive Medicine and Biology from the University of Geneva and in HIV and Reproductive Health from the University of Paris VII.

Blami Dao’s distinguished career merges academia and global health. Prior to his role as the Technical Director for Maternal and Newborn Health at Jhpiego, an international NGO affiliated with Johns Hopkins University, he served as a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Vice Dean at the Polytechnic University of Bobo Dioulasso. For seven years, he led the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Souro Sanou University Teaching Hospital. He now imparts his knowledge as a part-time lecturer at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, USA. He is deeply involved in professional associations, including SAGO and FIGO, and has served on the board of directors of the White Ribbon Alliance. His extensive publications and advisory roles with global health organizations, including WHO, underscore his dedication to advancing maternal and child health on a global scale.

Dr. Ernesto Castelazo was born in Mexico City and completed his education in both Mexico and the U.S., earning a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine from La Salle University’s Mexican School of Medicine in 1978. He specialized in Gynecology and Obstetrics at the IMSS’s Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia 4, obtaining board certification in 1985, with ongoing recertifications.

Throughout his career, Dr. Castelazo has held teaching roles at several institutions, published 49 scientific articles, and contributed to 28 book chapters. His editorial work includes positions with prominent medical journals and international committees. He has been actively involved in national and international scientific associations, serving as President of the Mexican Federation of Colleges of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2013-2015) and Vice President of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (2012-2015).

In addition, Dr. Castelazo has held leadership positions in various medical organisations, including The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Mexican Association of Reproductive Medicine. His contributions to the field have been recognised with multiple awards, including the Distinguished District Service Award from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 2010 and an honorary membership with The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada in 2018.

Professor Philippe Descamps is a distinguished professor of obstetrics and gynaecology and has been the Head of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Angers University Hospital in France since 1999. In addition, he is the Director of the regional endometriosis care centre EndoRef-Angers.

Professor Descamps was elected as the French representative to the FIGO Council 2015 – 2021. He has sat on the Minimal Access Surgery Committee (2018 – 2021) and was a member of FIGO’s Strategic Planning Committee (2020 – 2021).

At a national level, Professor Descamps has supported the French National College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF) by serving as the President of its International Relations Committee (2012 – present) and a member of its Board and Bureau (2005 – present). In addition, he was the Vice-President of the French Society of Gynaecological and Pelvic Surgery (SCGP) between 2011 and 2021.

Currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lord Buddha Koshi Medical College, Saharsa a National Medical Council Recognised Medical School, I also am into private practice in Siliguri, primarily super specialising in Reproductive Endocrinology and Gynae-endoscopy.

For the last 2 years, I have been a member of the Contraception Committee of FIGO and also an Associate Editor of International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (IJGO). In the Contraception Committee, we conducted a hugely successful Essay Competition on the Views of Trainees towards Contraception; planned webinars with all regions across the globe and also am a part of the PPIUCD Workshop at the FIGO Congress. I also have been appointed as a member of the Scientific Programme Committee of FIGO World Congress, Paris (2023).

I am currently the Vice President of World Association of Trainees in Obstetrics & Gynaecology (WATOG) and represented the organisation in various meetings with FIGO and other bodies. I was instrumental as the Organising Secretary in conducting the first ever International WATOG Conference.

At FOGSI level, I have got elected as the Chairperson of Public Awareness Committee (PAC) and will hold fort till 2025 end. Contraception being a topic of interest, our PAC team have already conducted 4 Zonal Webinars in India for spread of Awareness among Healthcare Workers. I am currently the Joint Secretary of the Gestosis (India Chapter); Siliguri Obstetrics & Gynaecology Society as well as Indian Medical Association (Siliguri). I have also been elected as the Managing Committee Member of Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction (ISAR).

I have had a stellar career as a student and trainee, receiving honours like a Gold Medal at M.S. Obstetrics and Gynecology final exams from JSS Medical College, JSS University, Mysore. I worked hard towards amassing several professional awards like the AOFOG – Shan S. Ratnam Young Gynaecologist Award in 2019 at Manila; the Corion Award at the National Congress (AICOG) in 2017, Ahmedabad; FOGSI – Future Award in 2017; FOGSI – Dr. Shanti Yadav Award in Infertility in 2020; FOGSI-IAEC – Sun Travelling Fellowship in 2020; FOGSI – Dr. Nimish R Shelat Research Award in 2020.

As CEO of FIGO Frances heads a Federation of over 135 national societies – the leading global voice for women’s health and rights.
Frances has over 25 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector, starting in arts and culture and moving into international development in 2010. She was ActionAid UK’s first female CEO in its 50-year history. Prior to that she worked with CARE International UK as Executive Director for Programmes & Policy, following four years as Chief Executive of Amref Health Africa UK, senior roles with Unicef UK and Chief Executive of Midlands Arts Centre (mac) in Birmingham. She has worked in the UK, Eswatini and Afghanistan.
Frances was appointed as chair of the UK NGO sector working group for Leadership and Culture for Safeguarding in 2018, leading the development of internationally accepted safeguarding standards and tools. She regularly writes and speaks on the role of leadership and culture and has provided consultancy and mentorship to organisations and individual leaders.
Frances is a board member at the Joffe Charitable Trust, a member of the BBC Appeals Advisory Committee and sits on the University of Oxford Social Sciences and Humanities Research Ethics Committee. She has a Masters degree in Development Studies from SOAS.