Representatives of Ministries of health, Ministries of Science and Technology, academia, funders, civil society and partners met on 26 October to brainstorm on the potential elements of a global strategy for TB research. Member States at the World Health Assembly (Resolution WHA71.3) requested WHO to develop and finalize this strategy in 2018-19.
During this meeting, participants reflected on how the key needs, knowledge gaps, primary challenges and strategic goals in the fields of TB prevention, diagnostics, vaccines, treatment and implementation research can be articulated in the strategy. Participants also discussed potential enablers of TB research, including financing, data openness, transparency and sharing, and leveraging of existing initiatives, particularly the antimicrobial resistance agenda, as well as WHO’s development of a roadmap on access to medicines and vaccines.
The forum was successful in promoting mutual understanding among funders, high TB burden countries, partners and civil society on the needs and enablers of TB research for the new global strategy.