30 January 2023 – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: The African Union (AU) Commission joins the world to commemorate 2023 World Neglected Tropical Diseases under the global theme for the day: “Act now, Act Together to End #NTDs!”.

For every $1 we invest in fighting neglected tropical diseases, $27 to $42 benefits Africa ‎economically. By 2030, we could generate an estimated $565 billion in productivity gains worldwide. ‎Without a doubt, investing in NTD prevention and treatment is one critical way leaders and communities can make ‎meaningful and tangible commitments to end #NTDs.‎

This #WorldNTDDay, let us act now, act together to end #NTDs!

The vision of the Common African Position And The Continental Framework On The Control And Elimination Of Neglected Tropical Diseases In Africa By 2030 is an Africa free of all NTDs by 2030. The mission is to strive towards the integration of strategies and efforts made by Africa to control and eliminate NTDs across the entire continent and to contribute to global eradication efforts.

Achieving the AU Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be done without eliminating NTDs. We must celebrate our impressive strides and capitalise on them in such a short time. With over 1.5 billion people still needing help, including about 60 million in Africa, it is time to ramp up our efforts and take advantage of this opportunity to eliminate NTDs once and for all.