Second global meeting on skin-related neglected tropical diseases (skin NTDs)

The World Health Organization (WHO) held its first global meeting on skin-related neglected tropical diseases (skin NTDs) on 27–31 March 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland. This meeting has built the foundation and momentum for the second global meeting to be held on 24–26 March 2025. The event demonstrates the collective commitment of the global skin-NTD community to achieving a key objective of the NTD road map: integration.

The road map emphasizes three critical shifts in approaches to overcoming NTDs – accelerating programmatic action; intensifying cross-cutting approaches; and changing operating models and culture to facilitate country ownership – to guide the implementation of activities. Integration, a key cross-cutting approach, is crucial for this meeting and within the skin NTD framework, and will contribute to strengthening health systems.

The meeting will bring together diverse experts across 13 different NTDs.¹ Other related dermatological conditions will also be considered, as in the previous gathering. This inclusive approach highlights the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure no one is left behind.

The meeting will focus on 13 areas related to skin NTDs:

1. Integration at the country level
2. Drug development and access
3. Wound care and rehabilitation
4. Capacity strengthening and training, including digital tools and artificial intelligence
5. Diagnostics and laboratory support
6. Epidemiology and surveillance
7. Operational research
8. Basic research
9. Transmission
10. Psychosocial aspects
11. Advocacy and communication
12. WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene)
13. One Health

Other key topics scheduled for discussion encompass the WHO Academy and NTD online courses. These subjects reflect ongoing advancements and challenges in the field, ensuring the meeting remains relevant and forward-thinking.

Objectives of the meeting

• To share progress and challenges in the implementation of integrated activities on skin NTDs at the country level;
• To present progress made by the Working Groups/areas of skin NTDs and the WHO Global Initiative on artificial intelligence for skin conditions;
• To plan future activities to advance the implementation of the skin NTD framework;
• To strengthen networking among participants.

Participants

1. Experts in skin NTDs and other NTDs
2. Representatives from health ministries/NTD programme officers
3. Representatives of nongovernmental organizations, partners, donors
4. Academic and research institutions
5. Representatives of WHO (headquarters, regional offices, country offices)
6. People affected by skin NTDs
7. Civil society groups 

Provisional organization of the meeting

The 3-day meeting will be organized as follows: see provisional programme

The final agenda will be based on the abstracts selected.

Submission of abstract

Abstracts will be carefully reviewed and only selected abstracts will be given the opportunity for oral presentation. However, all abstracts received and assessed to be of good quality will be included in the meeting background document; screens will be available for electronic posters.

More information (template, guidelines, deadline, etc.) will be shared by 31 December 2024.

Attendance

In-person attendance: Participants wishing to attend the meeting in person should make their own financial arrangements or find their own sponsors to cover their participation.

Online attendance: A zoom link will be shared close to the meeting.