Appendix 1 Consensus of Transboundary Tropical Diseases Control

Recognizing the significant public health challenges posed by transboundary tropical diseases, we, the experts in the field of tropical medicine, declare the necessity of coordinated efforts across regions and countries to effectively control the cross-border transmission of tropical diseases through strengthened cooperation, and contribute to the global health security, stability and development.

Objectives 1.

Strengthen the sharing of information, strategy and policy for unified and coordinated action on transboundary tropical diseases.

2.

Enhance transboundary capacity building through training in diagnosis, surveillance, and management of tropical diseases.

3.

Boost international collaboration and innovation on R&D to address theoretical, technical, and implementational gaps.

Consensuses 1.

Establish a platform for joint prevention and control. Establish expert committees for history review, experience sharing and updates exchanging, and maintain an open dialogue to address emerging challenges.

2.

Promote information sharing and policy development. Facilitate the alignment of national policies and develop supportive policy frameworks for joint efforts.

3.

Capacity building and training. Collaboratively organize trainings to improve monitoring and response capacityies for cross-border disease control.

4.

Promote scientific research and product development. Jointly conduct scientific research on tropical disease transmission patterns, key technologies, and products among cross-border populations.

5.

Resource mobilization for coordinated action. Allocate financial and technical resources and seek additional supports from international comnunities for coordinated action.

Cooperation priorities 1.

Last mile of tropical disease elimination. Pool resources and strengths to ensure technical skills and health products needed for the coverage of tropical disease prevention and control reaches the most remote and needy areas.

2.

Cross-border collaboration mechanisms. Establish and refine cross-border cooperation mechanisms to ensure the swift sharing of information and resources, enhancing overall control efficiency.

3.

Resilient health system construction. Improve the capability of national and sub-national health systems to respond to public health emergencies related to tropical diseases.

Responsibilities of various parties

Government departments: Responsible for policy coordination, resource allocation, and domestic capacity building, ensuring that national tropical disease control measures align with international standards.

International organizations: Provide technical support, financial assistance, and capacity building to promote cooperation and coordination among countries.

Research institutions and universities: Conduct scientific research, provide technical support and training, and drive innovation and R&D.

Non-Governmental Organizations and Community Organizations: Promote tropical disease prevention and control at the community level, with a special focus on the last mile of health service delivery and outbreak response.

We, the undersigned experts, declare our commitment to the joint prevention and control of transboundary tropical diseases through strengthened cooperation, capacity building, and research promotion.

Appendix 2Action Consensus of the Network of WHO Collaborating Centres Related to NTDs

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), a significant public health challenge in the poor populations with limited access to public health and medical resources, are mainly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, affecting more than 1 billion people around the world. In response to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we believe it is essential to enhance the efficacy of the Network of World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centres Related to NTDs, to utilize the demonstration role of WHO Collaborating Centres dedicated to NTDs and to effectively control of NTDs worldwide, thereby contributing to improve global health and human well-being.

Network goals:

1)

Strengthen international awareness of NTDs through networked cooperation.

2)

Share the latest guidelines and achievements in controlling and eliminating NTDs.

3)

The ultimate goal is to support countries to better implement the WHO road map for NTDs, including A Road Map for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021 to 2030, to eliminate NTDs and achieve the SDGs.

Action consensuses:

1)

Heighten global awareness of NTDs. Conduct public health campaigns and policy advocacy to enhance understanding of NTDs, to engage local communities in the planning and implementation of NTDs programs and to garner increased attention from policymakers and decision-makers.

2)

Establish a global exchange platform for NTDs. Facilitate academic exchanges and sharing of experiences among WHO collaborating centres, develop action plans and set priorities through collaborative deliberation, provide robust support for the prevention and control of NTDs.

3)

Strengthen technical and research cooperation for NTDs. Deepen technical exchanges, scientific research and innovation. Leverage partnerships to mobilize resources and share expertise. Promote practical cooperation to support regional and global efforts to prevent and control tropical diseases.

4)

Foster capacity building on NTDs. Develop and disseminate best practices and guidelines for NTDs management. Provide training for healthcare professionals. Strengthen capacity for laboratory testing, diagnostic capabilities, and control management in low resource settings.

5)

Enhance the evidence-based decision-making. Support local governments in developing and implementing NTDs policies and strategies. Call for strengthening the scope of neglected disease concerns, and propose the updating of the list of NTDs.

6)

Advance the global elimination of NTDs. Garner support from stakeholders and forge collaborative partnerships. Advocate for increased funding and resources for NTDs programs. Expedite effort towards the elimination of NTDs through coordinated actions and consensuses.

We envision the Network of WHO Collaborating Centres Related to NTDs as a platform for openness, cooperation, and innovation, through effective communication, shared synergies and technological advancements to contribute to ultimately foster a healthier world free from the burden of NTDs.

Appendix 3Network Introduction

WHO encourages its collaborating centres to strengthen communication and collaboration through the establishment of collaborative networks. The establishment of networks of WHO collaborating centres helps to strengthen information exchange with domestic and foreign counterparts and promote technical progress, and to establish partnerships and technical cooperation. Over the past 20 years, more than 10 networks of WHO collaborating centres have been established. On January 30, 2023, the second World NTDs Day, seven WHO collaborating centres active in the field of NTDs, with the support of the WHO, Co-proposed and launched the Network of WHO Collaborating Centres Related to NTDs. The aim of the network is to provide a cooperative platform for all WHO collaborating centres and international organizations working on NTDs to work together to fight against NTDs through enhanced networking. The new network will collaborate in scientific research, communication and training, as well as in WHO-designated missions. The seven initiating centres (in alphabetic order of country) are: the WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases (National Institute of Parasitic Diseases of China CDC, China), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Vector Surveillance and Management (National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, China), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Schistosomiasis Control (Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Egypt), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Epidemiology, Detection, and Control of Cystic and Alveolar Echinococcosis (in humans and animals) (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Italy), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Ecology, Taxonomy and Control of Vectors of Malaria, Filariasis, and Dengue (Institute for Medical Research, Malaysia), WHO Collaborating Centre for Epidemiology and Control of Helminth Infections (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Switzerland), and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Control of Opisthorchiasis (Southeast Asian liver fluke disease) (Khon Kaen University, Thailand).