March 2023
In January, partners around the world came together to commemorate World NTD Day 2025 - a time traditionally dedicated to celebrating progress made against these twenty-one diseases and calling for specific actions to accelerate that progress. This year, in particular, came with a renewed sense of urgency, as uncertainty and concern over the global funding and political landscape for NTDs has continued to grow. Now, more than ever, it is essential to shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements we’ve witnessed thus far and the impressive return on investment that engaging in the NTD fight can provide.
Incredible progress has been made in the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). As of the beginning of 2025, fifty-five countries have eliminated at least one NTD, meaning we're more than halfway towards the global goal of 100 countries having eliminated at least one NTD by 2030. However, achieving our elimination goals now demands even greater unity and coordinated action than ever before.
In advance of this year’s World NTD Day, we asked our partners and stakeholders globally, to highlight where we are in the NTD fight. Collectively you came together to create a tapestry of celebrations and commitments, and in doing so, demonstrated what can be achieved through true global collaboration and dedication - amplifying the voices of individuals at the frontlines of this work and shining a light on countries winning the fight against NTDs.
“A recent example of the power of collective action, innovative thinking, and a shared commitment to a healthier future is the 2024 elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Vietnam. This is a monumental achievement for the country and the global fight against the disease and is a testament to the unwavering dedication of Vietnam’s health workers and community organizations.”
The impressive achievements highlighted on World NTD Day are evidence of the incredible return on investment when funding the fight against NTDs. Investing in NTDs is a cornerstone of strong health systems and can lay the foundations for universal health coverage, improving the quality of life for millions worldwide, alleviating poverty, and boosting economic productivity. Yet, while we celebrated these milestones, the prospect of shifting resources and political priorities reminded us that the gains made are vulnerable.
“Recent developments in global funding and aid mark an uncertain and challenging road ahead; however, the real-world impact and return on investment in fighting NTDs, as shown through this campaign, is undeniable. Every dollar spent not only saves lives but also strengthens health systems, boosts economic growth, and enhances national and global security and stability, particularly our ability to prepare for future pandemics. Supporting NTD efforts is not just a moral imperative, it is a sound investment that delivers a ripple effect of benefits beyond these diseases alone.”
As we look forward to 2025, we urge governments, donors, private sector partners, and philanthropic organizations to not only sustain but increase investments in NTDs. We call on endemic countries and their partners to identify new ways to integrate NTD interventions into existing health systems to boost efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Additionally, we ask stakeholders to advocate for innovative and integrated funding mechanisms that provide sustainable, predictable resources to meet the WHO NTD Roadmap targets for 2030.
Areas that play a key role in eliminating an NTD include;
- Strong political will—We have seen from countries who have eliminated an NTD that political leadership helps to drive transformative change. Without strong political will and decisive action, progress in fighting NTDs can stagnate, putting millions at risk. We call for world leaders to prioritize NTDs in national, regional, and global health agendas, including endorsing and implementing declarations and frameworks like the Kigali Declaration on NTDs, the Common Africa Position on NTDs, and the African Union’s Continental Framework on NTDs.
- Investment in research and development—R&D remains crucial to accelerating the creation of new and improved tools and their integration into routine healthcare delivery. Funding streams and partnerships that drive breakthroughs in diagnostics, medicines, and vaccines, guided by the development of new evidence-informed frameworks like the ‘WHO R&D Blueprint for NTDs’, are instrumental in achieving elimination.
- Community participation—Community participation, with a focus on those with lived experience of NTDs, youth, and gender equity, can play a central role in NTD efforts to ensure sustainability, effectiveness, and equity. We call for governments, donors, and partners to prioritize community engagement in NTD programs by investing in developing local leaders, supporting health workers, and fostering grassroots advocacy. By placing communities at the heart of our efforts, we can ensure that interventions are inclusive, sustainable, and impactful.
Together, let’s continue to #UniteActEliminate and foster integrated action and investment to #BeatNTDs.
We encourage you to use the Unite, Act, Eliminate social media toolkit throughout 2025 to celebrate wins, share commitments and showcase unity.
For more information please visit unitingtocombatntds.org or get in touch via info@unitingtocombatntds.org.
