Plenary Speaker

H.E. Ms Marisol Touraine

Plenary Topic: Political leadership and partnerships to promote and accelerate access to innovation prevention & care.

After studying at the Ecole normale supérieure (ranking first or in the top 3 French schools in all international rankings) a degree in economics and social sciences, Marisol Touraine studied at the Institut d'études politiques of Paris and at the prestigious Harvard University in the United States.

Advisor to the Prime Minister from 1988 to 1991 on geostrategic issues, she became a member of the Conseil d'Etat in 1991. She then served at political positions at local level and within the French Parliament for several years before being appointed Minister of Social Affairs, Health and Women's Rights (2012-2017). Her support to authorize and to assure financial coverage for innovative preventive HIV treatments were particularly recognized at this position as well as her fight for the neutral cigarette pack, acknowledged by the WHO prize in 2016.

Mrs Touraine is now a senior member of the Conseil d'Etat and an international consultant for social policies. In June 2019, she was elected Chair of the Unitaid’s Executive Board.