MAY 2026
By Prof. Dr. Andrés Pichon Riviere,CEO of IECS
In a context where healthcare systems face increasing challenges, the production of rigorous knowledge alone is no longer sufficient. The central challenge today is ensuring that this evidence informs concrete, timely, and sustainable decisions. This is where IECS acquires its greatest strategic value: acting as a bridge between knowledge and action.
Over the decades, the IECS has expanded its reach to more than 40 countries, establishing itself as a key player in training professionals and providing technical support for public policies. This growth has been accompanied by a clear mission: to generate rigorous and applicable evidence to improve health, especially in contexts where decisions directly impact the most vulnerable populations.
This year marks a turning point in our institutional trajectory. On the one hand, we have made progress in implementing a new governance structure that clarifies responsibilities and establishes more robust frameworks for discussion and decision-making. The growth of our teams and the complexity of our projects demanded an institutional architecture commensurate with our current scale.
On another note, we are about to move to our new headquarters on Lavalleja Street. Having our own space is not just an operational change: it is a concrete sign of the institution's maturity and our long-term commitment. It is also an opportunity to strengthen collaborative work, consolidate our community, and continue building an environment that fosters the generation and application of high-quality knowledge.
Both processes, the strengthening of governance and the new headquarters, are part of the same evolution: the consolidation of IECS as an increasingly solid institution, prepared to sustain its growth and expand its impact.
In this new period, which I have the honor of leading as CEO (2026–2030), I am accompanied by a Board of Directors that plays a central role and is comprised of leading figures with extensive experience in research, public health, and management. The diversity of its members' experiences enriches the deliberation and strengthens our capacity to address complex problems from a comprehensive perspective.
This is a moment that combines pride in what has been achieved with responsibility for what lies ahead. Personally, it is an honor to lead this stage of IECS, which I accept with humility and with the privilege of working alongside a team of professionals whom I deeply admire and respect.
The IECS will continue to strengthen its international standing, promoting strategic initiatives aimed at translating science into concrete improvements in healthcare systems. What is at stake is not only the development of an institution, but also our ability to contribute to more efficient, equitable, and future-proof healthcare systems.
At the same time, those of us working in global health are facing a period of increasing challenges, with greater uncertainty, funding constraints, and strain on health systems in various countries. In this context, the need to generate rigorous evidence and, above all, to ensure that this evidence translates into effective decisions, becomes even more critical.
Strengthening the link between evidence, decision-making, and action is more crucial than ever. This new phase presents an opportunity to consolidate the IECS as a key player in Latin America and the Global South, committed to generating relevant knowledge and its real impact on population health.