Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) remain a major global public health challenge, affecting the world’s most vulnerable populations and reinforcing cycles of poverty and inequity.
Over the past two decades, coordinated global action led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners has resulted in substantial progress, including significant reductions in populations requiring NTD interventions and the elimination of at least one NTD in 58 countries. However, progress remains uneven, and persistent challenges, such as climate change, data gaps, and declining development assistance, threaten the achievement of the 2030 NTD road map targets.
On the occasion of World NTD Day 2026, the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases (NIPD), Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), will host the 6th Annual Webinar of the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for NTDs, with the support of WHO’s Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases department. This annual event brings together WHO Collaborating Centres, national programmes, academic institutions, and global partners to reflect on progress, share evidence and experiences, and strengthen collective action towards achieving the NTD road map targets for 2030.
The 2026 webinar will review key achievements since the first NTD road map was launched, and focus on priorities for its final phase (2026−2030). Structured around three strategic pillars, including collaborative research, expanded partnerships, and policy and advocacy action, the discussions will highlight innovations in diagnostics and therapeutics, integrated approaches across health and non-health sectors, and strategies to strengthen domestic financing, equity, and sustainability of NTD programmes.
As the global community enters the critical final five years towards 2030, this webinar provides a timely platform to align efforts, mobilize commitment, and accelerate progress to end the neglect of tropical diseases.
30 January 2026: 16:00–17:30 (GMT+8; Beijing time) // 09:00–10:30 (CET; Geneva time)