The WFN participated in ICNMD 2026, United Nations ECOSOC, WHO African Regional Committee, World Brain Day 2026, and IGAP implementation training.
By Steven L. Lewis, MD
Welcome to the August 2026 issue of World Neurology, the official newsletter of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN). The WFN has been busy since our last issue representing neurologists and brain health on multiple fronts. Here are some of the highlights:
The International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases
The 19th International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases (ICNMD 2026), the now-annual congress from the same-named WFN Specialty Group, took place July 7-11, at the Fortezza da Basso Congress Centre in Florence, Italy. The congress featured state-of-the-art science and clinical updates on diseases related to all aspects of the peripheral nervous system, from anterior horn cell to nerve root, peripheral nerve, neuromuscular junction, and muscle.
The WFN wishes to thank Prof. Antonio Toscano, congress chair, Prof. P. James B. Dyck, ICNMD chair, Prof. Wolfgang Grisold, WFN past president, along with other members of the ICNMD Congress Committee and expert faculty for their remarkable work creating this wonderful congress. See the three articles in this issue highlighting the many facets of this highly successful program.
ICNMD Coverage
United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
The U.N. Headquarters in New York City was the site of the United Nations Economic and Social Council’s 2026 forum on sustainable development.
The WFN, a federation of 126 neurological societies, has the privilege and responsibility of advocating for neurologists and neurological patient care globally. This includes engagement as a so-called nonstate actor (NSA) with the World Health Organization as well as with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Regarding the latter, the WFN had the privilege of attending, by invitation, the U.N. ECOSOC’s 2026 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, held July 13-16, at United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
As stated by the U.N. ECOSOC, “the HLPF is the primary United Nations intergovernmental platform for reviewing progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
This year’s forum highlighted the theme “Transformative, Equitable, Innovative, and Coordinated Actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for a Sustainable Future for All.” It convened ministers and representatives of U.N. Member States and a broad cross-section of participants from the United Nations system and other stakeholders, including representatives from organizations such as the WFN. The forum featured discussions that focused on policies and actions to accelerate implementation of the 2030 agenda and its SDGs.
Prof. Alla Guekht at the U.N. ECOSOC Forum
on July 13, 2026.
Along with my colleague, Prof. Alla Guekht, International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) president and past WFN trustee, I participated in the weeklong ECOSOC event on behalf of the WFN.
We were privileged to present a statement on behalf of the WFN on the general theme of “delivering better: accelerating urgent and transformative action to achieve the SDGs by 2030.” In our oral statement, we affirmed that “the 2030 agenda requires transformative, innovative, and coordinated action to protect brain health at all stages of life.” We also explained that “brain health is the foundation of healthy societies and resilient communities.” We noted that “neurological conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, and dementia remain leading causes of disability globally. Yet, brain health is often overlooked in high-level policy discussions.”
Moreover, we asserted that “health systems, particularly in low-resource settings, require accelerated capacity building, expanding diagnostic capabilities, strengthening data systems, investing in telemedicine, and fostering community-based rehabilitation services” and “sustainable urban planning must integrate accessible, inclusive health care services to support brain health.”
Steven Lewis (left) with Riadh Gouider, WFN first vice president, outside the United Nations Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during the WHO African Regional Committee (RC76) Meeting.
Finally, we concluded that “maintaining effective health care systems requires multisectoral collaboration among policymakers, administrators, and frontline providers. Professional societies like the WFN provide scientific expertise, drive global capacity building and education, and advocate for brain health priorities; the WFN (and its 126 member societies) stand ready to work with ECOSOC and other stakeholders to advance brain health for a sustainable future.”
In addition to Prof. Guekht’s expert in-person work at the U.N., I again remain indebted to the behind-the-scenes work of Dr. Ksenia Pochigaeva, co-chair of the WFN International Affairs/WHO Committee, for her expert drafting and honing of these statements and her availability throughout the session.
World Brain Day 2026
World Brain Day 2026, with the theme of “Brain Health: Access for All,” took place July 22, the anniversary of the WFN’s founding nearly 70 years ago. The WFN is grateful to our 126 member neurologic societies and the support from the six regional neurological associations for their involvement in this global event. The six regional associations are:
- African Academy of Neurology (AFAN)
- Asian Oceanian Association of Neurology (AOAN)
- American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
- European Academy of Neurology (EAN)
- Pan-American Federation of Neurological Societies (PAFNS)
- Pan Arab Union of Neurological Societies (PAUNS)
One of the many highlights of World Brain Day was the World Brain Day webinar, hosted by the WFN, with live involvement by leadership from each of the six regional neurological associations, as well as the WHO. The webinar was watched around the globe and is available online.
This issue of World Neurology features many well-illustrated articles highlighting World Brain Day events from around the globe. We look forward to publishing more World Brain Day articles in the next issue.
The WHO IGAP Implementation Meeting
Participants at the WHO IGAP Implementation Meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The WFN attended the sub-regional WHO workshop, July 29-31, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It was titled “Accelerating Implementation of the Intersectoral Global Action Plan for Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (IGAP) in East Africa-Intercountry Learning Meeting.” This workshop centered on five sub-Saharan African countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda) and was organized by the WHO under the leadership of Dr. Neerja Chowdhari and Tarun Dua from the Brain Health Unit, Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, and Mental Health at WHO Headquarters. It was also supported by the WFN.
This three-day event included regional WHO representatives and Dr. Chowdhari, country health ministry and disease-based organization representatives, and people with lived experience. By the end of the intensive and pioneering workshop, attendees had strengthened skills to help catalyze the integration of IGAP in the region.
The WHO Regional Committee for Africa
The WFN participated in the 76th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC76) Aug. 25-27, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Along with Prof. Riadh Gouider, WFN first vice president, I had the privilege of presenting two statements to the assembly on behalf of the WFN as an NSA of the WHO. One was about the African Health Workforce (Agenda Item 8) and the other was about Polio Transition and Sustainability Measures in the African Region (Agenda Item 13).
WFN President Steven Lewis (center) presenting an oral statement at the WHO African Regional Committee (RC76) Meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
For Agenda Item 8 — the African Health Workforce — we called attention to a shortage of neurologists across most African countries, where the burden of neurological diseases is disproportionately high. We said the WFN is prepared to collaborate with WHO Member States and is committed to strengthening workforce capacity through targeted educational initiatives, such as accredited training centers and neurological education, including for primary caregivers.
For Agenda Item 13 — Polio Transition and Sustainability Measures — we highlighted that health personnel with neurological training are critical for accurately identifying and reporting acute flaccid paralysis, thereby ensuring timely detection of any polio outbreaks, including vaccine-derived cases. The WFN urged all Member States to prioritize efforts in line with the WHO recommendations for the framework for polio transition and sustainability, so that the African region can remain free from polio.
Our takeaway from the WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC76) was that impressive work is being done by the WHO and the 47 Member States in the region. The WFN is privileged to be a part of this work.
World Congress of Neurology and WFN Update Course
The World Congress of Neurology (WCN) Congress and Science Committees are hard at work creating a high-level and diverse program for WCN 2027 to be held Oct. 23-25, 2027, in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. Please mark your calendars, and note that abstract submission is now open!
And don’t forget to register for the WFN Digital Update Course, coming up Oct. 28-29, 2026. Thirteen world-class speakers from around the globe will provide state-of-the-art updates on major fields of neurology.
WFN Council of Delegates and Upcoming Elections
Leadership from the WFN, the six regional neurological associations, and the WHO at the World Brain Day webinar.
A reminder to all WFN delegates that the Annual General Meeting of the Council of Delegates (COD) will occur virtually Oct. 27, 2026. The meeting will be preceded by a three-week e-voting window for the position of secretary general and one elected trustee, and for the host site for WCN 2029. Voting will officially open on Sept. 28, running until mid-October.
To maintain a smooth and fair election, voting credentials will be sent exclusively to the authorized voting delegates submitted by each society, with voting eligibility remaining dependent on up-to-date member dues through the Oct. 9, administrative deadline. This collaborative process ensures our leadership directly reflects the shared vision of our worldwide community.
Please see the previous issue of World Neurology and the Candidates Page on the WFN website for statements from the candidates for secretary general and elected trustee.
Also, see the WFN website for presentations from the four member societies that are the final candidates to be the official host venue for the 30th World Congress of Neurology (WCN 2029), to be held within the Americas. These are: Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Uruguay. The website will also include a review and analysis of the host site options by Kenes, our professional conference organizer.
In closing, thank you to all for your interest in the WFN and World Neurology. We look forward to more articles in upcoming issues from World Brain Day around the globe, as well as seeing the WFN delegates at the upcoming Annual General Meeting of the Council of Delegates in October. •
