In January 2021, the World Health Organization launched a new global road map for neglected tropical diseases. The road map, which was endorsed by World Health Assembly Member States in November 2020, provides a blueprint for tackling all 20 NTDs, including a target to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem by 2030. 

Trachoma specific targets include: 10 countries validated for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem by 2020, 28 countries validated by 2023, 43 countries validated by 2025 and 66 countries validated by 2030. 

The road map highlights three critical actions for trachoma:

1. Improve access to high-quality surgery, tracking of outcomes and management of post-surgery trachomatous trichiasis; initiate management of people with trachomatous trichiasis as soon as possible.

2. Increase knowledge through research, and extend partnerships to increase work, specifically on facial cleanliness and environmental improvement to reduce transmission.

3. Develop an efficient, cost–effective way to detect and monitor recrudescence of infection, which could be important for post-validation.

The road map also includes a range of cross cutting targets including 100% access to at least basic water supply, sanitation and hygiene in areas endemic for NTDs, which is aligned with targets 6.1 and 6.2 of Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.