Earlier this year, many of us faced some concern over the potential date of the United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB. Prior discussions had the date uncertain, and likely to be outside of the UN General Assembly in September. It is of the utmost importance that the HLM be held during the UNGA High-Level week, in order to secure the highest possible level of political participation and enable stakeholders to drive focus and commitment to working against TB.
A formal letter spearheaded by the Stop TB Partnership and addressed to UN GA President H.E. Mr. Csaba Kőrösi, managed to gather 1,044 signatures across 650 organisations in 91 countries. As such, member states agreed that the HLM on TB will take place on the 22nd of September, 2023, at the UN Headquarters in New York, during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week. In preparation for this, the UN Multi-stakeholder Hearing on TB will take place no later than June 2023. To contribute to the Joint Letter, the Global TB Caucus mobilised 53 Members of Parliament to sign alongside Stop TB Partnership and other key stakeholders, requesting support to hold the High Level Meeting on TB on the 22nd of September, 2023.
This is an important step for the UN HLM on TB: the UN GA has formally adopted the Modalities Resolution for this meeting, which sets dates, agenda, logistics, and other key details.
The TB community applauds this decision, and recognizes the work that all involved parties have done in order to ensure the HLM on TB happens alongside the HLMs on Pandemic Prevention Preparedness Response (PPPR) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This is key to getting the world back on track to make meaningful progress against TB, and secure political will.
The HLM’s theme is: "Advancing science, finance and innovation, and their benefits, to urgently end the global tuberculosis epidemic, in particular, by ensuring equitable access to prevention, testing, treatment and care.” In the spirit of this theme, the UN “encourages all member states and members of UN specialised agencies to participate in this meeting at the highest possible level.” The HLM aims to “approve a concise and action-oriented political declaration, agreed in advance by consensus through intergovernmental negotiations, to be submitted by the President of the GA for adoption by the Assembly.”
This is truly a victory for all in the TB sphere: it merits celebration and due consideration, as the UN HLM is but one of the first significant steps we can take to recoup efforts in the fight against TB, as well as to see how adequately commitments have been followed. From here, we must remain united to ensure a successful meeting in September, and secure an ambitious Political Declaration with grounded, person-centred, measurable, and time-bound commitments. This will only benefit from the backing and funding needed to ensure the world gets back on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and end TB by 2030.
MPs, stakeholders, and CSOs all displayed clear dedication during this call to action: a reminder of the value in uniting towards common goals, and the kind of spirit we should maintain when working to aid those affected by TB. Our thanks go to the MPs who signed the joint letter, as well as everyone else who voiced their support for this request. Below are the Caucus MPs who signed the joint letter: Lord Nick Herbert
Hon. Abubakar Dahiru Sarki
Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu
Senator Dr. Pierre Flambeau Ngayap
Hon. Alexander Roosevelt Hottordze
Hon. Aminata Gueye
Hon. Jamshed Murtazakulov
Hon. Luis Enrique Gallo Cantera
Hon. Pastor Vera Bejarano
Deputé Ahmat Taha Abdoulaye
Hon. Simo Joséphine
Hon. Mariam GONI
Hon. NGO ISSI epse Rolande Adèle
Hon. Nguenkam Epouse Tchouaga Marie Louisse
Hon. Tabouli Célestin
Hon. Ebanga Johanna Epouse Aborntui
Senator Aboui Georziane Marlyse
Senator His Majesty Mama Jean Marie
Hon. Macford Sibandze
Hon. Mephato Reatile
Hon. Dr Christopher Kalila
Hon. GodHard Kasuto
Hon. Dr Ruth Labode
Hon. Elma Dienda
Hon. Lindiwe Maphosa
Hon. Emmanual Tembo
Hon. Susan Matsunga
Hon. Daniel Molokele
Hon. Senator Edith Baipai
Hon. Josephine Shava
Hon. Lazwi Sibanda
Hon. Precious Chinhamo- Masango
Hon. Musa Ngcobo
Hon. Fakudze Keneth
Hon. Lorraine Nxumalo
Hon. Mavimbela
Hon. Big Boy Mamba
Hon. Tapera Saizi
Hon. Esther Nyathi
Hon. Memory Munochinzwa
Hon. Putih Sari
Hon. Warren Entsch
Hon. Léon Mondolé
Hon. Fonge Julius
Hon. Noufe Sansan
Hon. Morgan Komichi
Hon. Catherine Laa
Hon. Jean Patrice France Quirin
Hon. Memory Munochinwa
Senator Eleven Kambizi
Hon. Nhari Vairet
Hon. Rainatou Mongwat
Hon. Sicelesile Mahlangu
You may peruse the letter (and view all signatories) here.