Global MS Leaders Declare MS is a Preventable Disease to Mark World MS Day

Leading MS organizations, including MS Canada, sign the Nice Declaration, representing an unprecedented commitment to make MS prevention a global priority 

[TORONTO, ON, May 30, 2026] – MS Canada, a global leader advancing multiple sclerosis (MS) research, is marking World MS Day with an historic milestone as a founding signatory of the Nice Declaration.  Born out of the Global MS Prevention Workshop in Nice, France, held in April 2026, the declaration is a unified, global commitment from leading MS organizations around the world, including MS Australia, MS International Federation, Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla (Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society), MS Society UK and National MS Society (US),  to advance MS prevention as a global priority. The Nice Declaration unites global MS organizations under a worldwide MS prevention initiative, established to enable the next decade of prevention-focused research.

Together, MS Canada and MS Australia are collaboratively leading the Global MS Prevention Initiative (GMSPI), representing a pivotal step toward a coordinated global strategy with the potential to fundamentally change the trajectory of MS worldwide. The GMSPI stems from a landmark international workshop which brought together over 60 global MS experts, resulting in recommendations published in the MS Journal, providing the first globally coordinated strategy to prevent MS. 

By harnessing collective expertise, networks, and diverse perspectives, MS Canada aims to contribute meaningfully to the international effort to prevent MS, moving the global community closer to the shared vision of a world free of MS.  

Read the Nice Declaration here. 

“The Nice Declaration marks a defining moment in the history of multiple sclerosis, signaling a pivotal shift from managing symptoms to actively halting the disease before it even starts,” says Dr. Pamela Valentine, President and CEO of MS Canada. “Preventing MS is no longer a distant aspiration. It is a realistic, achievable global goal. By uniting with our international partners under the Global MS Prevention Initiative, we are establishing a clear scientific framework to align our resources, drive early detection, and elevate prevention as an urgent global priority.” 

The Link Between Diagnosis and Prevention 

The announcement of the Nice Declaration marks World MS Day, a global day of solidarity that aims to raise awareness of MS. This year’s campaign, My MS Diagnosis, advocates for early and accurate diagnosis for everyone living with MS and highlights that early intervention is the most effective way to manage the disease. However, barriers to timely diagnosis exist in 83% of countries.  A clear scientific pathway to prevention is emerging. A globally aligned research agenda is taking shape, focused on: 

  • Early detection of disease processes 

  • Identification of high-risk individuals 

  • Interventions to reduce risk and prevent onset  

With an average of 12 Canadians diagnosed with MS every day, the urgency for this initiative is clear. As a founding member of the International Progressive MS Alliance and a leading voice in the MS International Federation (MSIF), MS Canada’s commitment through the Nice Declaration ensures that Canadians living with MS remain at the forefront of global breakthroughs. 
 

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About the Global MS Prevention Initiative 
The Global MS Prevention Initiative is a new international effort to prevent multiple sclerosis (MS). Over a five-year period, MS Canada is contributing $5m and MS Australia, a further $2.5m to support this global initiative. Together, they will work with international collaborators and the Global MS Research Strategy Group to fund research focused on the window of risk and preclinical stages of MS.  

The global prevention initiative builds on the strong foundations of existing international research initiatives and partnerships and comes in response to the latest iteration of the Pathways to Cures Roadmap, which outlines research areas with the greatest potential to stop MS, restore function and repair damage from the disease, and end MS through prevention.  
  

About MS Canada 
At MS Canada, we are inspired by the vision of a world free of multiple sclerosis. We focus on support, advocacy and research that will positively impact the lives of people living with, and affected by MS. For over 75 years, we have been a trusted connection for the MS community to valuable resources and programs needed on their unique MS journey. We advocate for policy change that removes barriers and improves the well-being of persons affected by MS in Canada. We invest in life-changing research that will advance treatment and care, enhance well-being, help to understand and halt disease progression, and ultimately prevent MS.   

For more information visit mscanada.ca