Message from the WFN President

Prof. Dr Wolfgang Grisold

May 2025

Dear Visitors of the WFN Website,
Dear Member Societies,

I welcome you to the WFN website. I hope you find it informative and useful, not only for learning about the activities of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN), but also for staying updated on broader neurological developments. For the latest news and insights, I encourage you to explore our World Neurology newsletter and the Journal of the Neurological Sciences (JNS) service pages.

World Brain Day 2025: “Brain Health for All Ages”

This year’s World Brain Day (WBD) will be held on July 22,  As in previous years, we have included a subtopic to help focus our message. While past sub-themes have emphasised disability and prevention, this year we turn our attention to "brain health for all ages", emphasising that brain health is essential at every stage of life as well as reflecting regional differences and the unique challenges faced by various age groups worldwide.

We are pleased that this year’s WBD aligns closely with initiatives by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is also supported by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC). Their endorsement underscores the growing recognition of brain health as a global health priority.

We invite you to join us in spreading awareness and advancing brain health for all.

XXVII World Congress of Neurology - Seoul 2025

🔗 wcn-neurology.com ⧉

We are eagerly anticipating the XXVII World Congress of Neurology (WCN) in Seoul, South Korea. This major event promises a rich and dynamic program held in a world-class venue, featuring plenary sessions, a wide range of scientific topics, poster presentations, and several interactive events. Among the highlights are the Tournament of the Minds and a dedicated series of Brain Health sessions focusing on the intersection of neurology and international health policy.

We are pleased to report that over 2,100 abstracts have already been submitted—an encouraging sign of the global enthusiasm for this congress. We also look forward to additional submissions during the late-breaking abstract period.

Recognizing that not all colleagues can attend in person, WCN 2025 will include a hybrid component, especially designed to support participation from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) with reduced registration fees. Visa access to Seoul appears favorable for most participants.

At the recent AAN meeting in San Diego, the WFN hosted a raffle for free WCN 2025 registration, with Nicolette Cohen (USA) and Ranintha Surbakti (Indonesia) emerging as the winners. We will host a similar raffle at the EAN Congress in Helsinki this year. Be sure to visit our booth for your chance to participate!

Looking ahead:

• In 2026, we will hold the second World Neurology Update, continuing our mission to provide timely knowledge between congresses. More information here.

• In 2027, we look forward to the WCN in Cape Town, marking the second time the congress will be held in Africa.

• Starting in 2028, the WCN will become an annual event, rotating through three global regions. This change is designed to enhance the congress’s accessibility, visibility, and regional engagement.

The first WCN under the new cycle will take place in Europe, with four European cities currently in the running. Proposal materials will be available on our website, and the vote will be conducted electronically, with the results to be announced at the Council of Delegates (COD) meeting in Seoul.

ICNMD News: Upcoming Virtual and In-Person Events

The WFN Specialty Group on Neuromuscular Diseases (ICNMD) is pleased to announce the second edition of ICNMD Virtual, which will take place on November 21–22, 2025. This online congress will continue to offer high-quality, accessible content for the global neuromuscular community.

🔗 More about ICNMD

Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to bring the in-person ICNMD Congress to Florence, Italy—a city renowned for both its beauty and its tradition of excellence in medical science.

Starting in 2027, the ICNMD will become an annual event, expanding its global reach and impact. For the 2027 congress, we have already received applications from four countries across three regions, reflecting the strong international interest in hosting this prestigious meeting.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to advance the field of neuromuscular medicine through collaboration, education, and global engagement.

Education: Expanding Global Neurological Training Opportunities

We encourage all readers to regularly check the WFN website for updates on our growing list of educational programs and training opportunities.

We are pleased to soon announce two new fellowships:

• A Neuromuscular Training Fellowship in Rabat
• A One-Year Epilepsy Fellowship in Dakar

These programs reflect our commitment to supporting specialized training in key neurological fields across diverse regions.

Additionally, we are excited to share that we have received 30 applications for our department visit program in Germany. This unique opportunity allows neurologists to experience cutting-edge clinical neurology in one of Europe’s leading medical environments.

Looking ahead, we will soon launch a new type of educational exchange. This summer, a neurologist from our German member society will travel to our Training Center in Cape Town, where they will gain first-hand insight into the neurological challenges and healthcare context in Africa, while also collaborating on a local health project.

We are also proud to continue our partnership with the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) through the Continuum program, which provides vital educational resources to neurologists in low- and middle-income countries. A special lecture on Continuum will be featured at the upcoming WCN, with Professor Lyle Jones, Chair of AAN Continuum, delivering the session.

These initiatives underscore the WFN’s mission to build neurological capacity worldwide through education, exchange, and collaboration.

Advocacy: Advancing Neurology on the Global Stage

Advocacy for neurology remains one of the core missions of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN). Through our close collaborations with key global institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations ECOSOC, we continue to elevate the importance of brain health worldwide.

🔗 See our ongoing advocacy activities

In this context, the WFN strongly supports the Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP) on epilepsy and other neurological disorders—an unprecedented opportunity to shape the future of neurological care and improve the lives of people living with neurological conditions.

We are also proud to partner with the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) on the Global Advocacy Leadership Program (GALP). This initiative trains 20 emerging leaders from low- and low-middle-income countries to become effective advocates for neurology in their home regions.

GALP Press Training Session – A snapshot from the media workshop Click to enlarge.

The first in-person GALP meeting took place in San Diego, with a focus on:

• Media and press training
• Cross-cultural communication
• Governmental advocacy strategies

The energy and insight brought by the participants were exceptional, and the faculty equally benefited from their perspectives and engagement. The GALP course will continue virtually throughout the year and culminate with a graduation ceremony at the WCN in Seoul.

We are particularly proud that several individuals closely affiliated with the WFN and African neurology have been selected by the GALP committee:

• Dr Mundhli Njohjam, a WFN trainee from Senegal
• Professor Imen Kacem, WFN Co-opted Trustee
• Professor Gams Massi, representing AFAN

All three are already accomplished advocates in their own right and will greatly benefit from this transformative program.

Together, these efforts mark meaningful steps toward a more informed, empowered, and equitable neurological future.

GALP Group Photo, San Diego – Featuring participants and faculty of the inaugural AAN/WFN GALP meeting

WFN Elections 2025: Key Decisions Ahead

This year, the World Federation of Neurology will hold two major elections, both critical to shaping the future of our global neurological community.

1. Elected Trustee Positions

Three important leadership roles will be filled:

• President
• First Vice President
• One Elected Trustee
  
  

The WFN Nominations Committee has reviewed the candidates and provided its recommendations. Statements from all seven candidates are now available on the WFN website and in World Neurology.

In accordance with the WFN bylaws, any neurologist affiliated with a WFN member society may still apply for one of the open positions until 1 August 2025. To be considered, the nomination must be supported by five member societies.

We encourage member societies to take an active role in this important process.

2. Selection of the WCN 2028 Host City (Europe)

Delegates will also vote to determine the host city for the 2028 World Congress of Neurology, which will take place in Europe. Currently, four European cities are under consideration. Each candidate city will undergo site visits and evaluations conducted by the Professional Congress Organizer (PCO) and the WCN Congress Committee.

The call for proposals for WCN 2029 will be launched next year, opening another opportunity for global participation.

These decisions reflect the ongoing evolution of the WFN and our shared mission to strengthen neurology worldwide.

News in a Nutshell

These were the key updates from the World Federation of Neurology. We thank you for your continued support and engagement. Brain Health and the Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP) remain central to our mission of promoting neurology worldwide.

We always welcome feedback and input from our member societies , and we are pleased to offer interactive time slots for engagement with the WFN office and leadership .

The WFN continues to condemn all armed conflicts worldwide. We extend our sympathy to all victims of war, recognizing the profound toll that violence takes not only on those directly involved but also on civilian populations, including refugees, migrants, and stateless individuals.

Neurological care must remain accessible to all. According to recent data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, 43% of the world’s population is affected by neurological conditions—a figure that includes those displaced by conflict and crisis. With an estimated 40 to 120 million refugees and over 4.4 million stateless persons globally, it is vital that our efforts in neurology prioritise inclusivity and humanitarian responsibility.

Let us continue working together to ensure neurological care and support reaches every person in need, no matter their circumstances.