WHO Holds Second Global Meeting on Skin-Related Neglected Tropical Diseases

The World Health Organization (WHO) held its second global meeting on skin-related neglected tropical diseases (skin NTDs) on 22–26 March 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. Building on the foundation of the first global meeting held on 27–30 March 2023, this year's meeting focuses on integration. The meeting brought together experts from all over the world, both in-person and online, demonstrating the collective commitment of the global skin-NTD community to achieving a key objective of the NTD road map—eliminating NTDs by 2030.

According to the global meeting website, the NTD road map emphasizes three critical shifts in approaches to overcoming NTDs:

1. Accelerating programmatic action
2. Intensifying cross-cutting approaches
3. Changing operating models and culture to facilitate country ownership

These shifts guide the implementation of activities. Integration, a key cross-cutting approach, is crucial for this meeting and within the skin NTD framework, contributing to strengthening health systems.

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.