The African Media Network for Health and Environment Promotion (REMAPSEN) has announced preparations for the 4th edition of the African Media Forum on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), set to take place from November 25 to 27, 2025, in Abidjan.

The announcement was made during a press conference held in Abidjan, over the weekend, where REMAPSEN revealed that the forum will convene over 70 journalists from 35 African countries, spanning Francophone, Anglophone, Lusophone, Hispanophone, and Arabophone regions.

Held under the theme “Media Contribution to Positioning the Fight Against Neglected Tropical Diseases in Africa,” the forum seeks to equip journalists with the knowledge and tools to amplify awareness around NTDs; diseases that continue to affect millions across the continent but receive limited media attention.

"Organizing this forum is an opportunity to bring NTDs out of their state of neglect and position them as a priority in media coverage across Africa,” said Mr. Bamba Youssouf, Chairman of REMAPSEN’s Board of Directors.

According to Mr. Coulibaly Zié Oumar, Executive Director of REMAPSEN, the initiative is designed to "break the media silence" around these debilitating diseases and empower journalists to drive advocacy and public engagement.

The press launch featured strong support from Côte d’Ivoire’s national NTD program leaders. Dr. Djè Ngoran Norbert, Coordinator of the national program on preventive chemotherapy, and Dr. Dizoé, who heads the national leprosy elimination program, both underscored the media’s crucial role in community sensitization and influencing policy action.

They welcomed the choice of NTDs as the central theme of the upcoming forum and pledged their commitment to ensuring its success.

REMAPSEN’s efforts are backed by long-standing technical and financial partners, including Speak Up Africa and Sightsavers, both of which reaffirmed their support for the 2025 edition. Their statements of endorsement were formally read during the press event.

Another key highlight of the forum will be the 4th REMAPSEN Awards, which celebrate excellence in African journalism on health and environmental issues. The Awards are endowed with the Michel Sidibé Prizes, named after the African Union’s Special Envoy for the African Medicines Agency.

In a video message, Line Renée Batongué, journalist with CRTV Cameroon and Director of the Awards, explained that the prizes not only recognize outstanding journalists but also spotlight countries demonstrating strong engagement in REMAPSEN’s initiatives. The Awards are made possible through continued support from Brands on a Mission, led by public health expert Professor Myriam Sidibé.

This year’s Awards ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025, will be presided over by Mr. Cissé Ibrahima Bacongo, Minister-Governor of the Autonomous District of Abidjan. The choice of Mr. Bacongo was welcomed by Mr. Yao Daniel, Deputy Director of Press at the District, as a sign of strong institutional support.

Closing the event, Mr. Agnéro Alphonse Renaud, representing the Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene and Universal Health Coverage, conveyed the full support of Health Minister Pierre N’Gou Dimba, who will serve as President of the media forum. He noted the Ministry’s pride in hosting the journalists and reaffirmed its commitment to the forum’s objectives.

As REMAPSEN and its partners prepare for this pivotal gathering, the message is clear: the time has come to move neglected tropical diseases from the margins of public discourse to the heart of Africa’s health and development agenda.