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Date of issue: July 2026
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Dear ILDS Members, friends and colleagues,
As I reflect on the past few months, I continue to be inspired by the remarkable commitment and dedication of our Member Societies around the world. It is a privilege to witness the breadth and impact of the work taking place across our global community, and I would like to thank each of you for your ongoing efforts to improve skin health.
It has been especially encouraging to see the momentum building following the adoption of the World Health Assembly Resolution on Skin Diseases. Across every region, Member Societies and partners are already taking meaningful steps to turn this landmark resolution into action. While there is still much work to do, I am confident that by working together as one global dermatology community, we can help ensure skin health receives the recognition and investment it deserves.
One recent highlight was the inaugural Pacific Dermatology Conference in Fiji, which the ILDS Board was delighted to support. It was both a privilege and a humbling experience to meet colleagues from across the Pacific, hear about the unique challenges they face, and witness the passion, resilience, and innovation driving dermatology in the region. The conference demonstrated the value of collaboration and reinforced our commitment to ensuring every region has a voice in shaping the future of skin health.
This newsletter offers just a glimpse of the inspiring work taking place across our membership. I encourage you to explore the stories, celebrate the achievements of your colleagues, and get involved in ILDS programmes and initiatives - your engagement strengthens our community and helps us move closer to our shared vision of skin health for all.
Thank you once again for your continued support and commitment. Together, we are making a lasting difference, and I look forward to all that we will achieve in the months ahead.
With warm personal greetings,
World Skin Health Day | 8 July 2026
World Skin Health Day returns on 8 July 2026, with projects taking place across the globe to improve access to care and education in underserved communities.
From advocacy campaigns in Nigeria, disease screening in Cameroon, specialist education initiatives in Jordan to mobile skin clinics in the United States, this year’s programme highlights the global effort underway to address the burden of
skin disease. Skin diseases remain among the leading causes of disability worldwide, yet access to specialist dermatology services is still limited in many regions.
Led by the ILDS and International Society of Dermatology, World Skin Health Day aims to raise awareness and drive action to improve skin health globally. The 2026 theme, “Better Knowledge. Better Skin Health.” underscores the importance of education in enabling earlier diagnosis, safer care, and stronger health systems.
By recognising the importance of skin health, we can help support better outcomes for people worldwide.
ILDS Engagement with the WHO
On 21 May 2026, the ILDS co-organised the official side event From Resolution to Action: Implementing the WHA Resolution on Skin Diseases at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva. This important event brought together representatives from WHO, Member States, patient organisations and partner organisations to discuss progress since the adoption of the WHA Resolution on Skin Diseases in 2025.
WHO provided an update on the draft Global Action Plan on Skin Diseases, while representatives from Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka and Nigeria shared experiences and progress from their countries. The event marked another important step in supporting implementation of the Resolution and improving skin health worldwide. Read the report.
The World Health Organization has released Control of Scabies: A Guide for National Programme Managers (2026), providing practical, evidence-based guidance to support national and regional scabies control programmes. The publication covers preventive chemotherapy, outbreak management and strategies to reduce the public health burden of scabies. Members of the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies contributed to the guide's development. We encourage you to explore this valuable resource and consider how it may inform your work.
Grand Challenges in Global Skin Health
The Vitiligo Patient Views (VPV) survey is the first international, anonymous scientific survey for people living with vitiligo. Led by the Vitiligo International Patient Organizations Committee (VIPOC) and supported by the ILDS, it is available in 16 languages. The survey aims to capture patient experiences worldwide to strengthen evidence for vitiligo care and advocacy, including implementation of the WHA78 Skin Diseases Resolution.
We encourage dermatologists and healthcare professionals to share the survey with their patients and networks. Patients can take part by scanning the QR code or visiting vpv.vipoc.org.
Strengthening Skin Health Research in the Pacific | Prof Chris Griffiths, Director of the Global Psoriasis Atlas (GPA), represented the ILDS during a trip to the Solomon Islands to discuss opportunities to strengthen dermatology research and improve skin health data systems in the Pacific Island region. See IFD section below for more information.
Updates from the ILDS Secretariat
The SkinAlliance Forum, held in Paris from 24-26 June 2026, highlighted ILDS's mission to improve global skin health and its strong partnership with L'Oréal Dermatological Beauty(LDB). Major initiatives included the Skin Observatory study, covering 97% of the world's population, and the ILDS Dermatology Gallery, an open-access dermatology image gallery featuring diverse skin types. ILDS President Prof Henry W. Lim along with ILDS Board Members Prof Ncoza Dlova and Prof Jorge Ocampo joined Prof Xinghua Gao (President, Chinese Society of Dermatology) and Dr Jose Ruiz Postigo (Medical Officer, Skin Diseases, WHO) for a panel discussion. Leading Burundian dermatologist Dr Doriane Sabushimike, who trained in ILDS-supported residency training centre in Moshi, Tanzania, participated in the ILDS-GLODERM mentorship program, and is a recipient of an LDB Skin Healthcare Access Grant. She highlighted the importance of such support for academic publications for dermatologists practicing in low- to middle-income countries.
ILDS Member alert! The ILDS Annual General Meeting 2026 will be held online on Wednesday 2 September 2026 at 12:00PM BST. All registered Representatives, those who are nominated to attend and vote on behalf of the ILDS Member, will receive further information by email on 5 August 2026. If you have any questions, please contact: membership@ilds.org. Check the time in your country here.
We are pleased to launch the ILDS Member Journals webpage, a new resource showcasing journals published by ILDS Member organisations from around the world. Featuring publications in multiple languages, it highlights the diversity and expertise of the global dermatology community. ILDS members - if your society's journal is not yet listed, please contact membership@ilds.org to request a submission link.
The ILDS Skin Health Training Hub continues to expand, offering free, expert-led online dermatology courses for healthcare professionals worldwide. Designed to improve the prevention, recognition and management of skin conditions, the platform is growing with new and translated courses to make dermatology education more accessible globally. Explore the available courses on the Training Hub.
INTRODUCING OUR NEW STAFF - We extend a warm welcome to the newest members of the ILDS Secretariat!
Webinars
Please find links to upcoming and previous webinars from the ILDS Education Committee and beyond. All upcoming webinars will be recorded and added to our playlist on the ILDS YouTube channel. Click here to view.
The Global Dermato-Epidemiology Forum (GDEF) Seminar Series continued on 29 June 2026 with Measuring Disease Burden exploring how skin disease burden was measured and why better data mattered for policy, practice and global skin health. GDEF brought together researchers, clinicians and public health professionals to share expertise and strengthen collaboration across regions. Watch on YouTube.
Click here to watch the recording of the inaugural GDEF seminar, Setting the Scene for Global Dermato-Epidemiology
To mark Skin Cancer Awareness Month, the ILDS Education Committee hosted a global webinar on Artificial Intelligence in Dermatology, exploring how AI is transforming clinical practice, improving diagnostic accuracy, expanding access to care, and supporting the early detection of skin cancer, while considering the opportunities and challenges of its use in dermatology. Available to watch now.
Explore more upcoming webinars and learning opportunities in the GLODERM section below.
Welcome to our new Members
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to the newest ILDS Member organisations:
To find ILDS Members from around the world, click here to view the ILDS Member Directory.
ILDS in the News
We continue to develop relationships with dermatological news outlets around the world to promote global skin health on behalf of ILDS Members and the wider dermatology community. See the recent highlights:
Featured on The Dermatologist Digest, the ILDS in Motion Collection showcases the global work of the International League of Dermatological Societies through a series of powerful short films. Highlighting key initiatives and collaborations from around the world, the collection brings the impact of ILDS projects to life.
Dermatology Times
Prof Henry W. Lim, MD, FAAD, President of the ILDS and recent AAD Gold Medal recipient, reflects on a career defined by mentorship, innovation, and global impact. From pioneering research in photodermatology to advancing equity in dermatologic care worldwide, Prof Lim highlights ILDS’ ongoing commitment to collaboration, inclusion, and improving access to skin health for all.
Practical Dermatology
Esther Freeman, MD, talks about the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) and its new contributions to The Lancet’s new Commission focusing exclusively on skin health.
It’s the first time the publication has devoted one of its highly regarded Commissions on skin health.
International Foundation of Dermatology
The World Forum on Skin Cancer Prevention and Management in Persons with Albinism, held in Cape Town, South Africa, brought together dermatologists, researchers, public health experts, advocates, policymakers and people with lived experience. Hosted by the ILDS, the Global Albinism Alliance and Standing Voice, the forum provided a platform to share expertise, showcase successful models of care and identify priorities for future action. We invite our members, partners and wider community to read the full post-meeting report and help raise awareness of this important issue.
The DermImpact Grant Programme is currently open for applications. The programme supports initiatives that improve skin health and strengthen dermatology services in underserved communities around the world. Through two-year grants of US $20,000 (US $10,000 per year), the programme supports projects that prioritise capacity building, training and education, community outreach and awareness raising, multi-disciplinary stakeholder engagement and sustainable local impact. Applications must be submitted by Friday, 17 July, at 5:00 PM GMT.
We are proud to announce the 21 DermLink Grant recipients for 2026 - the highest number of projects supported since the programme was launched. Totalling approximately US$100,000, this year's grants will fund initiatives across 18 countries in Africa, South America and Asia. The projects will support a wide range of activities, including education and training, service development, community outreach, and capacity building, helping to improve access to dermatological care and strengthen skin health where it is needed most.
In March 2026, the IFD, through its Migrant Health Working Group, conducted a one-week medical outreach to Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya, in collaboration with UNHCR Kenya and the World Health Organization. The team provided clinical consultations to more than 2,300 refugees, while assessing the burden of skin disease in the camp. The most commonly diagnosed conditions were dermatophytosis, atopic dermatitis, scabies and lichen simplex chronicus, helping to inform future skin health interventions in humanitarian settings.
The inaugural Pacific Islands Dermatology Conference was held in Suva, Fiji, on 18–19 June 2026, bringing together dermatology and public health leaders from across the region. Hosted by PDTC, PIDS, Pacific Dermatology Limited, Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services, and ILDS, the conference focused on regional priorities including training, neglected tropical diseases, leprosy, public health and access to care. The meeting strengthened partnerships and reinforced a shared commitment to improving skin health across the Pacific.
The 2nd Pacific Islands Stakeholder Meeting, held in Suva, Fiji, on 17 June 2026, brought together regional and international partners to strengthen skin health across the Pacific. Discussions focused on regional priorities, workforce development, service strengthening and the implementation of the World Health Assembly resolution on skin disease. The meeting also explored opportunities for greater collaboration, including the development of a Pacific Regional Dermatology Plan to improve equitable access to skin health care.
Dermatology Conference & Skin Camp in Kenya (24-25 July) | The ILDS is pleased to highlight an upcoming initiative in Siaya County, Kenya, taking place on 24–25 July 2026. Combining a dermatology conference with a large-scale medical skin camp, the two-day programme aims to expand access to care while strengthening local capacity. Led by a network of partners, the initiative includes contributions from Sonja Ständer (ILDS External Advisor), José Antonio Ruiz Postigo (WHO), Kenyan health authorities, and international dermatology experts.
Focused on collaboration, training, and community empowerment, the programme will address critical dermatological needs in the region. The medical skin camp is expected to serve at least 1,000 patients through consultations, diagnosis, treatment, and education, while helping build sustainable local expertise. Find out more.
Updates from GLODERM
As part of the ILDS in Motion: A Visual Journey of Global Skin Health project and GLODERM, this documentary highlights emerging leaders advancing global skin health through education, advocacy, and community-based care. The film follows Dr Yared Getachew Mekonnen, a past GLODERM Mentee (Class 1: 2022–2023), as he showcases the work of dermatologists, residents, and frontline healthcare workers in eastern Ethiopia. Together, they are expanding access to care, strengthening training, tackling stigma around neglected tropical skin diseases such as leprosy, and launching the region’s first dermatology residency programme. It demonstrates how education, mentorship, and local leadership are building sustainable dermatologic care in resource-limited settings. We are grateful to CeraVe Care for All for their generous support of this project.
Advancing Vitiligo Awareness in Mexico | Dr Karen Ferez Blando’s Story. Dr Karen Ferez Blando, a GLODERM mentee (2024–2025), is raising vitiligo awareness in Mexico through the Mexican Vitiligo Foundation. Drawing on both her professional expertise and personal experience living with vitiligo, she works to support patients, challenge misconceptions and promote more inclusive, community-led care.
Watch the video to learn how locally led initiatives, supported by GLODERM, are strengthening dermatology leadership and improving skin health worldwide.
HS Awareness Week 2026 Webinar Series | To mark HS Awareness Week 2026, GLODERM hosted a three-part webinar series featuring international experts discussing the diagnosis, treatment and impact of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), as well as patient support and access to care. The sessions concluded with a live panel discussion on global challenges and opportunities in HS care. Missed the event? Recordings of all sessions are now available on the GLODERM YouTube channel.
Lessons from HIV Programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa: July Educational Webinar | Join our next educational webinar on 15 July 2026 at 12:00 UTC, featuring Dr Anisa Mosam and Dr Julio Ribeiro, who will share insights from HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment programmes across Sub-Saharan Africa. The free session includes a live Q&A and offers valuable learning for healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers and others interested in global health. Register now to secure your place.
World Congress of Dermatology
Follow the World Congress of Dermatology 2027 (WCD2027) on social media and sign up to the newsletter! Be the first to know about the programme, special rates for ILDS Members and more!
The official WCD2027 Congress app is now available, allowing delegates to register via mobile and access key information on Guadalajara, the venue, and exhibitors. Programme and speaker details will be added over time, so users are encouraged to download and keep the app updated.
Are you on the Dermathon Leaderboard? The Dermathon is a friendly global digital challenge where ILDS Member Societies earn points by sharing activities, running campaigns, joining quizzes, and engaging their communities in the run up to WCD2027 in Guadalajara, Mexico in June 2027. Get involved, climb the leaderboard, and help raise awareness of skin health around the world. Every activity counts - join the challenge today and see where your society ranks!
Join the global dermatology community at WCD2027 in Guadalajara, 21–26 June 2027. Register to access a world‑class scientific programme, connect with international experts, and take advantage of inclusive registration options, with discounts available for ILDS Members. Earlybird rates available until 31 October 2026!
Abstract submissions and scholarship applications for WCD2027 are now open, offering a valuable opportunity to contribute to and participate in the global scientific programme. Submit your original research for oral or poster presentation, or apply for a scholarship to support your attendance - available for trainees, rising dermatology professionals, and those from low- and middle-income countries. Deadline: 14 September 2026
Events
Upcoming ILDS and Member events can be found below. Visit our events page for more information.
*Terms and conditions apply (see form for more details). Any request received may be considered by the ILDS before publication.
Important dates
8 July 2026
World Skin Health Day
2 September 2026
ILDS Annual General Meeting 2026
2 September 2026
ILDS Member Forum
2 October 2026
5th Multi-Stakeholder Summit on Occupational Skin Cancer
Follow @ILDSDerm to stay up to date with all the latest news, activities and opportunities or scan the QR code below.
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