Welcome Message
A message from the Organizing Committee
Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of the Organizing Committee, it is our great pleasure to invite you to participate in the 8th International Congress on Leishmaniasis (WorldLeish8), which will be held in Antalya, Türkiye, between 6 and 10 April 2027.
Since the inception of this congress series in Istanbul in 1997, we have traveled across continents to share knowledge, foster collaborations, and advance our collective fight against one of the world's most challenging neglected tropical diseases. This event marks a significant opportunity for the leishmaniasis community at the global level to gather together and advance science for fighting leishmaniasis in a changing climate.
This edition of the congress will hold special significance as it will be organized in memory of Prof. M. Ali Özcel, the founder of the WorldLeish congress series, whose pioneering contributions to medical parasitology and leishmaniasis research have inspired generations of scientists and practitioners worldwide. We are honored to dedicate this meeting to his legacy.
The challenges we face are no longer confined to specific fields. The intersection of human health, animal health, and our common environment together with the fluctuations of climate has never been more evident. Our common field of study, leishmaniasis disease, is related to all these factors and is affected by them more like other vector-borne diseases. Building Global Resistance is about the resilience of our global community. It's about strengthening healthcare systems, fostering cross-border collaboration, and ensuring that innovation reaches those who need it most.
Under the theme "Leishmania Across Continents: Building Global Strength Against Leishmaniasis through a One Health Approach in a Changing Climate", WL8 will showcase the latest breakthroughs, foster meaningful collaborations, and address critical issues such as improvements in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention in the field of leishmaniasis. This congress will serve as a tool for innovation. Whether you are a researcher uncovering molecular secrets, a clinician on the front lines, a policymaker shaping health equity, or a student representing the future of the field, your voice is essential.
The scientific program will include keynote lectures, symposia, oral and poster presentations, as well as opportunities for networking and collaboration. Antalya, with its rich historical heritage and unique Mediterranean setting, offers an ideal venue for both scientific exchange and cultural experience. We warmly invite you to contribute to the congress by submitting your research and participating in discussions that will shape the future of leishmaniasis research and control.
We are excited to host this vibrant community of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. Together, we will build a more resilient future, fostering the scientific synergy needed to overcome the complexities of leishmaniasis in a changing world.
We look forward to welcoming you to Antalya, Türkiye for a memorable and impactful WL8. Together, let's shape the future of leishmaniasis control in a changing climate!
Welcome to WL8. Let's build that resistance, together.
Sincerely yours,