The eleventh annual World Vitiligo Day (WVD) took place on June 25th, 2021, with Jakarta, Indonesia serving as the virtual host city. This year's event, themed "Embracing Life with Vitiligo," united researchers, doctors, and patients worldwide to raise awareness and celebrate the diversity and determination of the nearly 100 million people affected by vitiligo.

Dr. Srie Prihianti Gondokaryono led the event as honorary captain, supported by a team from the Indonesian Society of Dermatology & Venereology. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the traditionally large-scale, in-person activities were replaced with an online format, broadcast from the dermatological society's offices.

The virtual symposium featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including:

1. Prof. Torello Lotti, MD, PhD (Italy) - President of the World Health Academy
2. Prof. Yan Valle (Canada) - CEO of Vitiligo Research Foundation
3. Prof. Xing Hua Gao, MD, PhD (China) - Professor at the First Hospital of China Medical University
4. Prof. Davinder Parsad, MD (India) - Professor at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research
5. Dr. Alain Taieb, MD, PhD (France) - Professor at the University of Bordeaux
6. Dr. Pearl E. Grimes, MD (USA) - Director of The Grimes Center for Medical and Aesthetic Dermatology
7. Dr. John E. Harris, MD, PhD (USA) - Director of the Vitiligo Clinic and Research Center at UMass Medical School
8. Dr. Iltefat Hamzavi, MD (USA) - Senior Staff Physician at Henry Ford Hospital
9. Dr. Nanja van Geel, MD, PhD (Belgium) - Professor at Ghent University Hospital
10. Dr. Viktoria Eleftheriadou, MD, PhD (UK) - Consultant Dermatologist at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

The event highlighted significant progress in vitiligo research and advocacy over the past decade. Ten years ago, only two or three companies were developing vitiligo drugs; today, that number exceeds 30. In a landmark move, the U.S. FDA held its first-ever public meeting on vitiligo this year, allowing the community to directly address key stakeholders in drug development.

WVD's impact was further evidenced by 18 U.S. state governors and numerous city mayors declaring June as "Vitiligo Awareness Month." However, organizers emphasized that more work remains, particularly in persuading major organizations like the UN and WHO to prioritize vitiligo and influence national healthcare policies.

The virtual format allowed for global participation, with discussions covering various topics, including the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for vitiligo patients. Experts reassured attendees that individuals with vitiligo face no increased risks related to COVID-19 or its vaccines.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, this year's World Vitiligo Day demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of the global vitiligo community, continuing to drive awareness and support for those affected by this autoimmune skin condition.