Publication of 2023 GTFCC Annual meeting report

The 10th GTFCC Annual Meeting, held on June 26-28, 2023, brought together key stakeholders in person at Les Pensières Centre for Global Health (Veyrier-du-Lac, France) and virtually, reflecting a world where cholera control has become increasingly challenging due to a changing landscape marked by emerging risks. The meeting focused on evaluating progress, challenges, and planning towards achieving the goals set out in the Global Roadmap to ending cholera in 2030.

As the climate emergency worsens, human displacement will intensify, along with droughts and flooding – all conditions that give rise to cholera outbreaks. Unless investments are made for systems that build preparedness and resilience among at-risk populations, the cholera burden will continue to rise. These adverse factors are compounded by the shortages of oral cholera vaccines and other critical supplies. The resurgence has not only introduced cholera in new regions but has also exacerbated it in existing hotspots.

However, the meeting also spotlighted significant successes in cutting-edge response strategies, vaccine deployment, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives, demonstrated through country-specific presentations. Key takeaways include the critical need for improved data quality for more informed decision-making and advocacy purposes, the integration of advanced technological tools in monitoring and surveillance, and a notable shift towards multisectoral approaches integrating health, environmental, and infrastructural responses.

The 2023 annual meeting reinforces our commitment to adapt and respond to the global health challenges of cholera through innovative strategies, resilient health systems, and broad-based partnerships spanning multiple sectors and disciplines. The dynamics of global health security have necessitated an urgent strategic shift towards prevention and rapid response readiness, embedding robustness into our collective pursuit of a cholera-free world.

Halfway through the Roadmap, a midterm review will be held to provide a comprehensive assessment of progress towards the Roadmap goals, offering insights into addressing current challenges and optimizing the likelihood of success by 2030