I’m delighted to join WHO in welcoming its 2021-2030 Neglected Tropical Diseases Roadmap, and anticipate the emergence of the renewed Global Strategy for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.

Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: a road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021−2030 was prepared through an extensive global consultation pursuant to decision EB146(9) of the Executive Board at its 146th session in February 2020 that culminated in the endorsement of the document by the Seventy-third World Health Assembly in November 2020.

The road map sets global targets and milestones to prevent, control, eliminate or eradicate 20 diseases and disease groups as well as cross-cutting targets aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Three foundational pillars will support global efforts to achieve the targets: accelerate programmatic action (pillar 1), intensify cross-cutting approaches (pillar 2) and change operating models and culture to facilitate country ownership (pillar 3).

The disease summaries annexed to the road map detail the current epidemiological status and burden of disease, core strategic interventions and progress towards the 2020 targets of the previous road map. The targets, sub-targets and milestones for 2030, and the critical actions required to achieve them, were used to generate the evidence in the road map document endorsed by the World Health Assembly.

My Wellbeing Foundation Africa serves as an example of the powerful role that community facilitation of WASH plays in successfully inhibiting all 20 NTDs; from outright prevention and effective treatment, to reducing the prevalence of many more by between 33 to 70 percent (including intestinal worms which half a billion school children are at risk of.)

Ensuring that access to WASH is made truly equitable remains an ongoing priority – the global strides taken to end all of the 20 NTDs mentioned within the roadmap will accelerate this much needed equity. As we continue to underpin WASH in every Covid-19 response worldwide, we further strengthen and reiterate its importance, and in so doing, place greater value on water as a resource greatly required by every girl, boy, woman, man and child. 

We must embrace a multilateral approach across a plethora of sectors, and join WHO in reiterating the importance of increased and targeted investments and global awareness raising strategies that highlight the reach and impact of collective action now.