Dear GlobalSkin Members,
It’s been a very busy first half of 2026 for GlobalSkin with many examples of our commitment to improving the lives of people living with skin conditions. I am incredibly grateful and impressed by how active the GlobalSkin members are worldwide in advancing patient-centered healthcare through research, advocacy and collaboration.
Of course, there is no bigger example of this in the Championing of the Patient Voice being done on the Global Action Plan on Skin Diseases (GAP-SKIN) - a key framework that will guide how countries address skin health. Thanks to all those that participated in the The World Health Organization (WHO) public consultation on its draft and for those who shared valuable insights at the GlobalSkin Regional Engagement Series. Your contributions make a difference! Our collective effort culminated with an official side event at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, “From Resolution to Action: Implementing the Skin Diseases Resolution” that was held on Thursday, 21 May 2026. The high-level event included senior government representatives, WHO leadership, key stakeholders, and GlobalSkin staff and board members, to advance coordinated implementation of the resolution and the draft WHO Global Action Plan on Skin Diseases. Going forward, GlobalSkin will continue to advocate for adoption of the Global Action Plan and implementation of the resolution at the country level.
GlobalSkin’s dedication to Elevate our Members was on display at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) that took place on Wednesday, June 23, 2026. I would like to thank Ravi Ram, co-chair of the WHO Civil Society Commission for being our guest speaker and to thank all our Members for attending and being so active in your participation. I would like to thank all those who put your names forward for the election as you truly make GlobalSkin a better organisation. Congratulations to the newly elected Board Directors Kelly Barta, Melanie Funk, Julio Garcia, and Tina Mesarič, and a very special thank you to outgoing Board Directors David McMahon, Murray Turner, and Maya Tulpule as your service has been so greatly appreciated.
All of YOU, our members are bringing about transformative change for patients with skin conditions and I can’t wait to Unite Together at the GlobalSkin Conference 2027, taking place June 3–5, 2027 at the Westin Hotel in Montreal, Canada. The conference is designed to inspire, connect, and unite our Member Community. Registration for the GlobalSkin Conference 2027 will open later this year, but in the meantime please mark your calendars and plan to join us in Montreal for another fantastic event. We very much look forward to offering travel bursaries and I look forward to welcoming GlobalSkin Members to Canada.
Gratefully,
Marc Yale
GlobalSkin Board President
