Theme for World NTD Day 2025
Unite.
Join the global NTD community and contribute to achieving our collective goal.
Act.
Foster country commitment, resources, technical guidance, solidarity and coordination.
Eliminate.
End NTDs by delivering treatment, reducing transmission, managing disability and combating stigma.
Key messages
1. Combating NTDs is a pathway to stronger health systems
Investing in action against NTDs and ensuring their inclusion in primary health care is a cornerstone of strong health systems and can lay the foundations for universal health coverage.
2. Addressing the impact of climate change on NTDs is possible through a One Health approach
NTDs are particularly sensitive to shifting global climate patterns. Effectively addressing the exacerbating effect of climate change on NTDs requires adapting public health strategies to our changing environment.
3. Empowering people and communities is essential for sustainable solutions
Person-centred and community-led approaches are critical for sustainable and effective NTD programmes. By engaging affected people and communities, solutions become more tailored, inclusive and impactful.
Calls to action
Call to action 1: Sustain and increase investments in NTDs.
Without secure funding, hard-won gains are at risk of reversal. Governments, donors, private sector partners and philanthropic organizations must bridge projected funding gaps by sustaining and increasing investments in NTDs. Additionally, stakeholders must advocate for innovative and integrated funding mechanisms that provide sustainable, predictable resources to meet the WHO NTD road map targets for 2030.
Call to action 2: Amplify political will and action.
Political leadership drives transformative change. Without strong political will and decisive action, progress in fighting NTDs can stagnate, putting millions at risk. World leaders must prioritize NTDs in national, regional and global health agendas. Governments must endorse and implement NTD declarations and frameworks, and integrate NTD targets into broader health, development and equity goals.
Call to action 3: Enhance data systems for timely surveillance and response.
Current gaps in data quality, timeliness and comprehensiveness hinder efforts to plan activities, track progress, allocate resources and respond swiftly to emerging challenges. Governments, stakeholders, donors and partners must invest in strengthening data systems that deliver timely, accurate and comprehensive information, and work collaboratively to ensure data are actionable, enabling precise interventions that drive measurable progress.
Call to action 4: Accelerate research and development for new tools.
Achieving the WHO 2030 NTD road map targets requires innovation in medicines, diagnostics and vaccines tailored to the unique challenges of NTDs. Investment in research and development must increase to accelerate the creation of new and improved tools and their integration into routine healthcare delivery. Stakeholders must prioritize funding and partnerships that drive breakthroughs, guided by evidence-informed frameworks such as the WHO R&D Blueprint for NTDs.
Call to action 5: Strengthen community engagement.
Community participation – with a focus on gender, equity and youth – can play a central role in ensuring that NTD interventions are sustainable, effective, equitable, inclusive and impactful. Governments, stakeholders, donors and partners must prioritize community engagement in NTD programmes by investing in local leaders, supporting health workers and fostering grassroots advocacy.