Attachments
Message from the UCN Director
Dear Colleagues and Partners,
I am pleased to share the second newsletter of 2025 with you. Let me start by extending a very warm welcome to Dr Mohamed Yakub Janabi, our new Regional Director. I assure Dr Janabi of our unwavering support as he takes on this critical role.
I must also thank Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu for his excellent guidance and commitment to the Region, during his time in the African Region as our acting Regional Director.
This issue of our newsletter showcases the cluster’s continued focus on the control, elimination and eradication of communicable and noncommunicable diseases across our region, through the support provided to our Member States. Leading the regional response to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), the WHO Regional Office, in partnership with The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust and the NCDI Poverty Network, will be hosting the second International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa, in Abuja, Nigeria from 8-10 July. This gathering will maintain the momentum gained in the response to NCDs by the first ICPPA, held in the United Republic of Tanzania last year. I am grateful to the government of Nigeria for hosting this conference, showing once again, the country’s commitment to this important group of diseases.
The African Region’s response to neglected tropical diseases is one our greatest success stories. This continued commitment was exemplified earlier this year, with the NTD Programme Manager’s meeting, held in Lomé, Togo, 15-17 April. At this meeting, discussions highlighted collaborations aimed at driving bold and strategic approaches to going the last mile to end NTDs in Africa.
These initiatives show the importance of high-level leadership and collaboration in the Region’s stated aim of ending disease in Africa.
I look forward to continuing to work with our Member States, our partners, donors and other stakeholders as we continue the journey towards realization of the 2030 SDG targets and goals.
Dr Benido Impouma
Director, UCN Cluster