The main World Vitiligo Day 2023 event held in Kazakhstan has been an extraordinary triumph, surpassing all expectations and leaving an indelible impact on the vitiligo community. Over the course of three days, we rallied across six vibrant cities in the heart of Central Asia: Almaty, Astana, Kyzulorda, Semei, Shymkent and Uralsk. The energy and enthusiasm displayed by all participants were truly awe-inspiring.

We must recognize and celebrate the unsung heroes who made this remarkable achievement possible - the activists and volunteers whose unwavering dedication and tireless efforts lit the path to success. Your passion and commitment have shone brightly, and we extend our deepest appreciation to each and every one of you.

At the helm of the WVD 2023 organizational committee, we were privileged to have the esteemed leadership of Honorary President Dr. Aliya Kassumkhanova and Vice-President Dr. Anar Abdrakhmanova. They were supported by a dedicated team of individuals who worked tirelessly behind the scenes: • Dr. Zhangarasheva Gulnara Kasenovna (Жангарашева Гульнара Касеновна) • Dr. Ospanova Saniya Almeshevna (Оспанова Сания Альмешевна) • Dr. Sukhanberdieva Zarina Maratovna (Суханбердиева Зарина Маратовна) • Zheptisaev Aidar (Жетписпаев Айдар).

We must recognize the profound influence of those who sparked the initial flame that ignited our movement. Ogo Maduewesi and Yan Valle have played pivotal roles, their passion and creativity infusing life into our cause. Their unwavering commitment has been a driving force behind our success.

Guiding us on this transformative journey was the remarkable Prof. Torello Lotti, whose wisdom and expertise have enlightened our path. Prof. Lotti's recent appointment as an Academician of the Italian Republic stands as a testament to his remarkable contributions to dermatology.

Additionally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the leaders of national and regional support groups who worked tirelessly to organize WVD2023 in their respective countries. James Laban, Natalie Ambersley, Gaone Matewa, Valarie Molyneaux, Slobodanka Mijatovi, Vivian Najjuka, and others have demonstrated remarkable dedication in fostering unity and support within our community.

We cannot forget the incomparable contribution of Prof. Xing-Hua Gao, who orchestrated a powerful online WVD-2015 event in China, drawing a record-breaking participation of nearly 1.5 million individuals. Prof. Gao's continued efforts, including organizing the "Together Against Vitiligo You and I Together" event at the Dermatology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, have made a lasting impact on vitiligo patients and their mental health.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the Aksenov family, whose unwavering support and belief in our cause have been instrumental in our achievements. We also extend heartfelt thanks to our Platinum Sponsor, INCYTE, for their invaluable support, especially during these challenging and unpredictable times.

Today, we stand united as a testament to the indomitable spirit and resilience of the vitiligo community. We have made World Vitiligo Day 2023 a resounding success, but our journey does not end here. Let us continue to inspire, educate, and advocate for vitiligo awareness, acceptance, and empowerment!

We are #VitiligoStrong. #WVD2023