Statement by Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership
Dear Colleagues, Partners and Friends,
It’s been four years since countries and TB stakeholders gathered in New York for the first United Nations High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) on TB. Four years ago today we were celebrating the outcomes of the meeting with optimism and hope that the Political Declaration endorsed by world leaders would be a game changer in the fight against TB, led by the promise to double funding for TB care, prevention and R&D to $15 billion a year. With one year until the next UN High-Level Meeting on TB expected to take place in September 2023, this is an important moment to reflect on progress.
Based on the latest available data, progress towards meeting the 2022 UNHLM targets is dire. We are on track to meet only one of the numeric sub-targets - the target to ensure 6 million people living with HIV receive TB preventive treatment. We are not on track to reach the other targets and we are less than 50% towards reaching the $15 billion promised in annual funding.
The already low funding for the TB implementation response dropped by $500 million from 2019 to 2020, and funding for R&D remained nearly unchanged at $915 million. Meanwhile the Global Plan to end TB 2023-2030 showed that despite setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is possible to end TB by 2030 but the funding needs have now gone up substantially from the 2018 UNHLM target.
High-level meetings must lead to action and accountability at all levels. Since 2018, people affected by TB and TB communities have played a pivotal role in monitoring the implementation of the Political Declaration. In 2020 civil society and community leaders released the report ‘A Deadly Divide: TB Commitments versus TB Realities', which outlines the urgent need for a TB response that is equitable, community-led, right-based, and people-centered.
The first step towards the 2023 UN-High-Level Meeting will be the appointment of two co-facilitators who will chair key UNHLM discussions and negotiations in New York though their UN Ambassadors.
We are calling for their appointment as soon as possible so that the critical work towards a successful meeting can begin. At least eight countries have already expressed their interest in taking on this role, especially Indonesia who publicly announced their interest in this role in New York, on the margins of the UNGA and the Global Fund replenishment meeting.
In May 2021, the Stop TB Partnership Board outlined priorities for our engagement in 2023 UNHLM in their decision points: that the 2023 UNHLM on TB be held on the second day of the 2023 UNGA General Debate (Tuesday 26th September 2023); ensure that the preparatory work for the UNHLM starts early, including the development of the modalities document and the nomination of two countries to act as co-facilitators; contribute to the development of a set of ‘key asks’ following an inclusive process of consultations with all stakeholders; support civil society and community networks to develop, launch and advocate around the second version of “A Deadly Divide: TB Commitments vs TB Realities” (2018-2022); building on the experience of 2018 UNHLM, support the establishment and operation of the civil society advisory panel to promote active, informed and meaningful engagement of TB affected communities and broader civil society in the 2023 UNHLM on TB and the interactive multi-sectoral Civil Society Hearing process and outcomes; and partner with WHO to prepare for a multi-stakeholder hearing at the UN to inform the outcome document of the UNHLM 2023.
The Stop TB Partnership is actively following up on these steps, including last week’s launch of a Call for Proposals for a Civil Society and Affected Communities Platform to coordinate and support their engagement leading up the 2023 UNHLM on TB. In 2022 a global TB affected community accountability report will be developed. Building upon A Deadly Divide: TB Commitments vs TB Realities, this report will take stock of progress, identify TB affected community priorities, and articulate key targets and commitments for the 2023 UNHLM on TB. Be sure to watch out for opportunities to engage in its development and dissemination.
With one year to go, we encourage everyone to begin raising awareness in your country on the 2023 UNHLM on TB and we will soon be in touch with materials, briefings, and talking points to support this process. It’s time for leaders to step up and provide the resources to get the TB response on track to end TB by 2030. The 2023 UNHLM on TB is our best opportunity to accelerate the TB response in countries, secure the resources to match the scale of the challenge, and ensure TB is at the top of the global political agenda.
This is a call to all partners, colleagues and friends active in the TB response to leave aside any separate agendas and stand in solidarity, shoulder to shoulder, united for a UNHLM on TB that can push further progress towards ending this disease by 2030.
Source: Stop TB Partnership