The Kigali Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) is a high-level political declaration that is mobilising political will, community commitment, resources, and action, securing the commitments needed to end the suffering caused by NTDs. Created in consultation with stakeholders around the world, the Declaration puts individuals, communities, and countries at the centre of the NTD response. With countries leading the way, international targets are embraced and translated into national strategies, leading to impact and action.

At the time of its launch at the Kigali Summit on Malaria and NTDs on 23rd June 2022, held alongside the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and hosted by the Government of Rwanda, it galvanised the largest collective financial pledge towards NTDs, amounting to US$1.5 billion and 18 billion donated tablets / units of medicine from governments, pharmaceutical companies, and NGOs.

Two years on, as we reach the change in Chair-in-Office of CHOGM, Uniting to Combat NTDs is delighted to release this progress report, providing a timely overview of the progress achieved since the Declaration’s launch. It highlights the momentum generated by increased global support and financing, especially within the African continent, where leadership and commitment have been pivotal.

The report also pushes for further action for NTDs with the following calls-to-action:

• We call on more partners and leaders worldwide including countries, organisations, companies and institutions to endorse the Kigali Declaration on NTDs, to demonstrate their leadership and dedication, and make commitments to end NTDs.
• We strongly encourage existing endorsers to champion the Declaration and prioritise these preventable and treatable diseases through continued investment. We encourage existing endorsers to sustain or increase their commitment towards NTDs year-on-year, and continue updating their data via the Commitment Tracker.
• We urge partners and leaders worldwide to advocate for innovative funding mechanisms to provide robust, predictable, longterm financing for NTDs. Recognising the challenging environment that we face, this sustainable, predictable, longterm funding is desperately needed. By rallying behind initiatives like IDA21 and the Global Fund and pledging the necessary resources, action, and collaboration, we can end the burden of NTDs once and for all.

For more information on how to endorse the Kigali Declaration or update commitments via the Commitment Tracker, contact commitments@unitingtocombatntds.org.