In recognition of the need for greater attention to tuberculosis, the International AIDS Society is hosting TB2016 – a two-day global conference dedicated to TB ̶ immediately prior to AIDS 2016 in Durban, South Africa. The conference, which opens on 16 July, will bring together TB and HIV scientists, researchers, policy makers and advocates, to galvanize political leadership and commitment to end TB by 2030. Ending the global TB epidemic is the goal of WHO’s End TB Strategy and it is a target of the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
Conference participants will share their knowledge and innovations about TB and HIV-associated TB. They will also have the opportunity to share best practices to expand the global TB response and address the global threat of multidrug-resistant TB.
With the theme “Science + Solidarity”, the conference will focus on the science and operational issues related to TB. Topics will include TB vaccinology; the biology of TB and its impact on drug discovery, and diagnosis of HIV-associated TB. Operational issues, such as community engagement, human rights and activism, and ensuring access to services to those most vulnerable to TB will also be addressed.
“This conference couldn’t come at a better time. As countries strive to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, we need to come more together and continuously evaluate our approaches to advance the science from research bench to bedside,” said Dr Haileyesus Getahun, Coordinator of WHO’s Global TB Programme and co-chair for TB2016. “Only then can we end TB. TB2016 is also a unique opportunity to bring together the TB and HIV communities and ensure HIV-associated TB remains on the agenda.” AIDS 2016 promises to have a high number of sessions on tuberculosis, including report back sessions from TB2016.