15 April 2015 - Paris, France - The 26th Stop TB Partnership Coordinating Board has approved the first draft of the Global Plan to Stop TB 2016-2020 following a period of review by the Task Force and members of the Board. Over the next four months, online and regional consultations will seek input from anyone working with or affected by TB.
Other discussions at the Board resulted in the approval of the 2015 workplan, the 2015-2016 advocacy strategy, agreement on implementing the joint UNOPS/Stop TB Partnership standard operating procedures, and the endorsement to develop the 2016-2020 Stop TB Partnership Operational Strategy.
The second day concluded with the Board recognizing the historical role France has played in leading the fight against TB, and commitment to the disease as demonstrated through their contributions to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria and UNITAID.
The Board meeting was attended by senior figures including the French Minister for Health, Social Welfare and Women's Rights Marisol Touraine, and Brazil's Vice Minister for Health Surveillance Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr. Minister Touraine, in her opening address yesterday said that the commitment of France is concentrated on answers to the big challenges of TB including drug-resistance TB where France has adopted the "one health" approach, and in the investment of research and development. The Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Coordinating Board and Minister of Health for South Africa Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Vice Chair and Executive Director of RESULTS USA Dr Joanne Carter led on the key discussions that were held.
Briefing documents for the Coordinating Board meeting are available on the Stop TB Partnership website. Decision points are now available here.
The next Stop TB Partnership Coordinating Board Meeting will be held on 29 November 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa ahead of The Union Conference in December.