World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (World NTD Day) was first observed on January 30, 2020, an initiative of the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases with the backing of the World Health Organization. On May 31, 2021, the World Health Assembly formally recognized the date through decision WHA74(18), establishing January 30 as an annual global day dedicated to the issue. The date commemorates the launch of the first UN roadmap on neglected tropical diseases in 2012, known as the London Declaration on NTDs. Neglected tropical diseases are a group of roughly twenty infectious and chronic conditions, including lymphatic filariasis, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, scabies, and intestinal worms, that affect more than one billion people worldwide, overwhelmingly in poor communities and remote areas lacking clean water and basic healthcare. Despite their wide reach and devastating impact on health and economic development, these diseases receive far less attention and funding than other global health priorities, hence the term 'neglected.' The day is marked with awareness campaigns and field events in the most affected countries, along with scientific conferences reviewing progress toward the UN roadmap's 2030 targets, and calls for increased funding and research to accelerate the elimination of these diseases.