15 October 2023 · Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy

Structural changes in GPZL

During its recent in-person meeting in India, the GPZL Leadership Team made a number of decisions about the future structure of the organization.

As signalled in a news posting in May, the former GPZL Secretariat, hosted by the Task Force for Global Health, closed at the end of June 2023. The GPZL Leadership Team expresses gratitude and appreciation to the Task Force for its leadership, governance and stewardship during the five years since GPZL was formed.

It was understood that much of 2023 would be a transition period during which GPZL’s strategy, structure, governance and leadership all needed to be rethought. The transition is being overseen by the GPZL Steering Committee, and a transitional business plan and much reduced budget were adopted for the second half of 2023.

The Leadership Team confirmed that the current governance structure, with a few modifications, should continue. This consists of a Leadership Team of around 20 people, a Steering Committee of 6 people, and Pillar Groups corresponding to the three strategic pillars. The Leadership Team has established a Search Committee and given the green light to the recruitment of an Executive Director. The role will have a strong focus on global advocacy and resource mobilisation. Decisions on other Secretariat roles will be made after this appointment has been confirmed.