The interactive Multistakeholder Hearing on TB was held on May 8, as part of the preparatory process for the second UN High-Level meeting on the fight against TB. Over 600 registrants including representatives of civil society, parliamentarians, non-governmental organizations, academia, medical associations and the private sector, as well as people affected by TB and broader communities attended the event. The participants provided their vision and recommendations to members of the UN General Assembly for the high-level meeting, with a focus on the current state of efforts and top needs to accelerate response.
The Hearing was organized by the Office of the President of the General Assembly, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Stop TB Partnership. Civil society including WHO’s Civil Society Taskforce on TB and other stakeholders contributed to preparation for an impactful high-level meeting.
Objective: The hearing provided an opportunity for all relevant stakeholders to contribute to the ongoing preparatory process for the High-level meeting, with a focus on the current state of efforts and top needs to accelerate the TB response. Participants were encouraged to exchange views on key priorities for the High-level meeting, while underscoring experiences and best practices on the ground, highlighting the special challenges faced by civil society and other relevant stakeholders working in the field and the need for stronger accountability at all levels. The hearing was meant to contribute to the creation of a common knowledge base among Member States and stakeholders that can inform science-driven decision making by the General Assembly.
Format: The hearing was divided into an opening segment, two interactive panel discussions and a closing segment. Each panel was opened by a member of the affected community sharing their story, underpinning the theme of the specific session.
Panel 1 "Fast-tracking multisectoral and multistakeholder action to ensure universal access to equitable, high-quality, people-centered TB services".
Panel 2 "Mobilizing adequate and sustainable financing to ramp up the TB response, and advance research and innovation”.
Participants: The hearing brought together representatives of the Member States, observers of the General Assembly, parliamentarians, representative of local government, relevant UN entities, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, academia, professional associations and the private sector and broader communities. This includes ensuring the participation and voices of women, children, youth and indigenous leadership.
Watch the video webcast of the hearing here.
Download the UN High Level Meeting flyer here.
Meeting Summary by the President of the General Assembly of the Multistakeholder Hearing in preparation of the United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting on the Fight against Tuberculosis. New York: United Nations; 2023 (accessed 22 September 2023).
Written statements - Fight against tuberculosis Multi-Stakeholder Hearing