Kampala, Uganda – 30 September 2025 – The global fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) gained renewed momentum today as the 16th Annual NTD NGO Network (NNN) Conference opened in Kampala. The gathering called for sustainability and innovation, placing emerging technological advancements at the centre of discussions on accelerating the elimination of diseases that affect over one billion of the world’s most vulnerable people.

The three-day forum, hosted by Uganda’s Ministry of Health in collaboration with NNN and running until 2 October 2025, brings together NTD experts, government officials, community leaders, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders from over 50 countries under the theme “Sustainable Innovations for Impact – Transforming the Fight Against NTDs.”

In her keynote address opening the conference, Uganda’s Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, highlighted the country’s leadership in NTD management and warned of the urgency of the moment.

Resources are beginning to dwindle, and at a very fast pace. Therefore, there is need to run the race even quicker to end these NTDs and alleviate the suffering of our people, before the prospective donors sign off. Uganda takes great pride in our ambitious NTD Masterplan 2023-2027 and our NTD Sustainability Plans. We are on track to eliminate trachoma, onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, and we are committed to leveraging technological advancements and new strategies to transform our NTD programmes for greater efficiency and reach.

Honourable Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, Minister of Health, Uganda

The Honourable Minister emphasised Uganda’s long history in NTD management, dating back to the launch of integrated NTD management in 2005, and called on all participants to champion sustainable, community-centred solutions.

Joy Phumaphi, Executive Secretary of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance, delivered a powerful call to action during the opening plenary’s fireside conversation, challenging political leaders across the continent to prioritise the elimination of NTDs.

For us on the African continent, where the disease burden is heaviest, we should be leading the elimination. As servants of the people, our motivation should be reaching those hardest to reach, those disenfranchised, those who have less opportunity for development, growth and access to the resources that enable good health and quality of life. If that is not a priority, then you need to seek your motivation, because then your motivation is not development.

Joy Phumaphi, ALMA Executive Secretary

Joy Phumaphi warned that progress is at risk not only due to financial constraints but because other areas have been allowed to take priority over the underlying causes and drivers of poverty. She called for citizens to hold politicians accountable by demanding that NTD elimination be embedded in political manifestos and development goals.

What we citizens should be doing when politicians are campaigning is asking them: what is your manifesto? Put NTDs on an equal footing with other pressing health outcomes and other development challenges. Make sure that elimination of NTDs is embedded in the development goals through the manifestos. This is where it starts. And after that, continue to drive for inclusion and ensure it is monitored – hold them to account. This is a war. You cannot win a war without fighting.

Joy Phumaphi, ALMA Executive Secretary

The conference represents a critical moment for the global NTD community as it navigates a shifting funding landscape whilst harnessing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and digital health innovations. The programme features six key subthemes: AI and digital health in NTD management, community-driven innovations, One Health approaches, strengthening health systems, climate change and NTDs, and sustainable financing.

Over the three days, delegates will participate in 12 workshops, rapid-fire sessions, poster presentations, and specialised sessions including “Centering Patient Voices,” youth-focused sessions on NTDs and climate change, and a dedicated session on AI for NTD prevention, among others.

Dr Gilbert Baayenda, Chair of the NTD NGO Network, reflected on the significance of this year’s theme.

“This theme is a timely call for integrating sustainability, innovation and impact to ensure lasting progress in our battle against these diseases. We merge technological advancements with community wisdom, ensuring that our strategies lead to long-term success in eliminating NTDs.”

Dr Gilbert Baayenda, Chair of the NTD NGO Network

The opening plenary also featured a powerful panel discussion titled “Nothing About Us Without Us – Co-Creating Innovative Solutions Together with Communities Affected by NTDs,” showcasing how lived experiences are transforming programme design and driving inclusive health innovations.

Africa bears 40 per cent of the global NTD burden, making the continent’s leadership essential to achieving the WHO NTD 2030 roadmap targets. The conference aligns with this roadmap and aims to transform insights into actionable blueprints for endemic countries and stakeholders working towards a future free from NTDs. 

About the NTD NGO Network

The Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) NGO Network is a global forum for NGOs to contribute to the global control, elimination, and management of consequences of NTDs outlined within the World Health Organisation NTD Roadmap. Established in October 2009, NNN’s vision is a world free of NTDs, and its purpose is to enhance the contribution of NGOs towards that vision. NNN membership is open to any NGO or academic institution engaged in the fight against NTDs.