From July 23 to 24, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Yohei Sasakawa visited Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and met with Dr. Ergogie Tesfaye, Minister of Women and Social Affairs; Dr. Mekdes Daba, Minister of Health; and Dr. Owen Laws Kaluwa, WHO Representative to Ethiopia. The Goodwill Ambassador revealed plans to hold a conference in Ethiopia in March 2025 called the “Africa Zero Leprosy Conference.” He expressed hope that the conference would revitalize the continent’s efforts against leprosy, which stalled worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic, and formally requested cooperation from Ethiopia’s government and WHO Country Office.

July 23 — Ministry of Women and Social Affairs — Minister Ergogie Tesfaye gave her support to the Africa Zero Leprosy Conference, expressing her hope that it will contribute to leprosy control and the elimination of stigma and discrimination. She noted overlap with the “leave no one behind” principle of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and pledged her full cooperation.

July 24 — Ministry of Health — The Goodwill Ambassador requested the cooperation of Minister of Health Mekdes Daba in organizing the Africa Zero Leprosy Conference. Minister Mekdes recognized the importance of the African continent uniting to eliminate leprosy and said that her ministry would be pleased to play a central role in assisting preparations for the conference.

July 24 — WHO Country Office for Ethiopia — WHO Representative to Ethiopia, Dr. Owen Laws Kaluwa, confirmed that the Country Office for Ethiopia will help to organize the Africa Zero Leprosy Conference. The Goodwill Ambassador thanked the Representative for WHO’s enthusiastic support.

In 2022, the Ethiopian National Association of Persons Affected by Leprosy (ENAPAL) completed construction of a six-story building. Rental income from the building gives the organization financial independence and stability. While in Addis Ababa, the Goodwill Ambassador stopped by to hear an update from ENAPAL’s members.