The Global TB Summit, an inaugural meeting bringing together elected parliamentarians from across the world, is taking place today (27 October) in Barcelona in advance of the opening of the 45th Union World Conference on Lung Health.
Co-organised by The Union and the UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Global TB, the Summit aims to galvanise political will to tackle tuberculosis and create a clear vision for the role of parliamentarians in combatting the epidemic.
MPs from sevendifferent countries drawn from both developed and developing countries, who share a particular interest in TB, are working together to identify shared priorities for addressing current TB challenges and for pursuing the research and development of new medicines, diagnostics and vaccines needed to eliminate the disease.
Organisers hope that the Summit will lead to the foundation of a Global TB Caucus, a globe-spanning network of parliamentarians working in unison to drive the necessary political will to fight the disease.
The Summit will be opened by José Luis Castro, Executive Director of The Union, and the Honourable Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health for South Africa.
Photo eft to right: Victor Ramathesele (Aide to Minister Motsoaledi), Tony Harries, Paula Fujiwara, Jane Hardy, Lucica Ditiu, Hon. Stephen Mule, Jane Carter, Dr James Murgor, Jean-Louis Neichel, Dr Robert Pukose, Dr Faustine Ndugulile, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Mario Raviglione, Jose Castro, Nick Herbert, Dalbir Singh, Joanne Carter, Kalikesh Singh Deo