Micronutrient deficiency represents the most widespread form of global malnutrition and as many as two billion people –nearly a third of the world’s population– have low iodine intakes. Iodine deficiency is one of the most common causes of preventable mental impairment worldwide. The World Bank and the Copenhagen Consensus list providing iodized salt to correct iodine deficiency as one of the best development investments.

The International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) had its Inaugural Meeting in March 1986 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Working closely with partners, including UNICEF, WHO, the Micronutrient Initiative and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), as well as national governments, ICCIDD has spurred the global effort to eliminate iodine deficiency for the past 25 years.

The Network for Sustained Elimination of Iodine Deficiency was formally launched in 2002 at the U.N. Special Session for Children. The network was a global coalition of public, private, international and civic organizations that supported universal salt iodization.

In 2012, the ICCIDD Global Network was formed from these two organizations. This powerful new alliance shares a common commitment to assist countries in reaching the goal of sustained elimination of IDD. The ICCIDD Global Network draws upon the unique strength of over 800 committed members across the world.