TB Alliance applauds G20 Communiqué

July 10, 2017

HAMBURG, July 10 2017 - TB Alliance joins a coalition of 35 worldwide health advocates as well as numerous individuals from research institutes, NGOs, and members of national parliaments in welcoming the important progress made on the G20 communiqué, particularly the references made to global health in strengthening health systems and fostering international research through a stronger global collaboration for combatting pandemics and emerging and infectious diseases like tuberculosis, as well as for reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

“It is of historical importance that Heads of State of the G20 made Global Health a political priority and pledged to fuel the fight against AMR and drug-resistant tuberculosis through increased research and product development," said Willo Brock, Senior Vice President for External Affairs, TB Alliance. "This is a key issue for the wellbeing and economic development of all G20 countries.”

The coalition especially welcomes that the G20 is committed to keep global health high on the political agenda within the frameworks of the United Nations, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The commitment by G20 Leaders to foster R&D preparedness through globally coordinated models as guided by the WHO R&D Blueprint, such as the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) highlights the need to foster R&D in global health and in particular for diseases at risk of AMR. This will also pave the way for countries to promote affordable access to antimicrobials, vaccines and diagnostics.

This global health coalition further agrees with the G20’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda as the reference point for sustainable development, health and economic growth, including the German G20 Presidency’s Marshall Plan for boosting economic growth in Africa.

Alan Donnelly, Executive Chairman of Sovereign Strategy and initiator of the G20 Global Health Coalition welcomes that G20 nations clearly committed to tackling AMR and to combatting infectious diseases such as Tuberculosis, Malaria and HIV/AIDS that present a growing health, economic and security threat across borders. “We are pleased to see that our recommendations have been considered by the G20 Leaders and Sherpas,” said Mr Donnelly by making references to an Open Letter that the coalition submitted ahead of the Hamburg summit and discussed in a G20 Global Health Innovation Event in Berlin which has held in Berlin earlier this year.

As the G20 affirms its role in strengthening the political support for long-established and recent initiatives, the Global Health Coalition stands by the commitment of G20 Leaders and Health Ministers to continue this dialogue on global health and prioritise health in, and by, the G20 under the forthcoming Argentinian Presidency of the G20.

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TB Alliance (Global Alliance for TB Drug Development)

TB Alliance is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding faster-acting and affordable drug regimens to fight tuberculosis (TB). Through innovative science and with partners around the globe, we aim to ensure equitable access to faster, better TB cures that will advance global health and prosperity. TB Alliance operates with support from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research through KfW, Global Health Innovative Technology Fund, Irish Aid, Indonesia Health Fund, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNITAID, United Kingdom Department for International Development, United States Agency for International Development, and the United States Food and Drug Administration. For more information, please visit: www.tballiance.org