23 April, Geneva - A large group of Members of Parliament (MPs) from over 30 countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, India, Bangladesh, Japan, Italy, Moldova, Ukraine and the United Kingdom among others are gathering in New York from 24-27 April to discuss country level engagements ahead of the UN HLM on TB in September and the Interactive Civil Society Hearing on TB in June.
These consultations will serve as a significant opportunity for the MPs group to share and discuss the key activities that their respective countries and governments are undertaking towards engaging people affected by TB and the civil society in their fight to end TB. This diverse group ofMPsare expected to pledge ambitious targets and commit to reaching out to their Heads of State for attendance at the HLM including seeking the support of their Parliaments in the fight to end TB.
These consultations with the parliamentarians are led by the Global TB Caucus and are part of the intensive efforts by other partners including the Stop TB Partnership to engage, mobilize and gather civil society as well as the high-level political support towards a successful HLM in September. The Global TB Caucus is a unique international network of political representatives with support in more than 130 countries.
Mr. Miroslav Lajcák, President of the General Assembly, will formally open the parliamentary consultation on Thursday, April 26, followed by responses from H.E. Mr. Koro Bessho, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations andDr Aubrey Webson, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations. Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership, and Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director, WHO Global TB Programme, will also address the opening session.
The parliamentary consultation will also include a UN Missions briefing focused on the human face of TB featuring people affected by TB and civil society representatives who will share their experiences with MPs and representatives of the UN Missions. This briefing will bring the human experience to the fore, including parliamentarians discussing the impact of the disease on their constituent and people with first-hand knowledge of the disease from Texas to the Philippines.