Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly Strategic Roundtable
This roundtable will focus on the challenges and opportunities to end tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, by building on equitable universal access to TB prevention and care, and in alignment with the agendas of universal health coverage, antimicrobial resistance, and pandemic preparedness.
Tuberculosis remains among the world's top infectious killers. In 2021, 1.6 million people lost their lives to TB. In 2018, world leaders at the UN High-Level Meeting on TB adopted a historic declaration (A/RES/73/3), with ambitious targets. The declaration catalyzed progress towards ending TB, saving lives. However, disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with other ongoing global crises have reversed years of progress.
Getting back on track requires increased and sustained funding for universal access to tuberculosis services. TB services must be delivered free of stigma and discrimination; tackle antimicrobial resistance, advance multisectoral actions to address the drivers of the epidemic; and better tools including vaccines and innovative strategies. The second UN High-Level Meeting on TB in September can provide the political incentive to turn the tide in the fight against tuberculosis.
In this roundtable, WHO will present the Flagship Initiative for 2023-2027, featuring new targets and a focus on enabling universal access to services and advancing research including through the TB Vaccine Accelerator Council. Ministers and other leaders, tuberculosis survivors, civil society, donors and partners will share experiences of leadership, innovation and action towards ending TB.
The session takes place in UN Palais de Nations, Room XVIII on Thursday 25 May 2023 between 13:00–14:15 CEST.
Moderator
Blessina Kumar, WHO Civil Society Taskforce on TB and Head of Global Coalition TB Advocates
Panelists
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Sylvia Masebo, Minister of Health, Zambia
Dr Ethel Leonor Noia Maciel, Secretary of Health, Brazil
Mr Setiaji, Deputy Minister for Health Technology, Indonesia
Ambassador Z. Czech, Permanent Representative of Poland to UN Office in Geneva
Dr Atul Gawande, Deputy Administrator, USAID
Dr Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director, Stop TB Partnership
Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe
Dr Tereza Kasaeva, WHO Global TB Programme