Political Declaration Silence Procedure Broken a Second Time
With only three weeks to go until the UN High-Level Meeting (HLM) on TB, the silence procedure for the Political Declaration on TB was broken for a second time earlier this week on the 25th August version of the Declaration, which can be viewed here.
The silence procedure provides UN Member States with a period to raise objections on draft UN resolutions and allows for explanations of their positions. Since the Political Declaration on TB can only pass with the full consensus of all member states, it requires full agreement on all text.
The Stop TB Partnership and partners are calling on all member states to accelerate negotiations to ensure they reach consensus on a strong Political Declaration prior to the High-Level Meeting on 22nd September, without weakening any of the current targets or key commitments in the latest version. It would be an unprecedented failure if there is no outcome document agreed at the HLM on TB in three weeks' time.
Concerns Regarding the HLM on TB Registration Process
The Stop TB Partnership is concerned that many of our partners have not had their registration to the HLM approved in the online registration system, which is required to proceed with securing a travel visa.
Given that there are only three weeks remaining until the meeting, this jeopardizes many partners ability to secure their travel visas in time to attend. This is of particular concern for members of the civil society and communities - including from the TB High Burden Countries - whose presence is critical to a successful meeting.
We in Stop TB partnership were able to support many participants who received registrations with visa application letters and we are sending a letter to UN leadership to request them to take all possible measures to ensure participants registrations are approved as quickly as possible.
Key Upcoming Deadlines - National Delegations and HLM Speaker List
The Stop TB Partnership is reiterating our call for member states to include TB partners, especially civil society, TB communities, TB Programme managers and other key stakeholders, in national delegations to the HLM. The deadline for member states to register their delegations is Friday, 8 September 2023.
In addition, we understand the deadline for member states to register to speak in the HLM Plenary Session is Tuesday, 5 September. Please join us in calling on all member states to ensure they not only register to speak at the highest possible political level, but also prepare to bring ambitious new commitments to the HLM to ensure the meeting becomes a turning point in advancing the fight against TB.
This Logistics Note on the Three Health HLMs contains additional important details on the above and can be viewed here.
Please don’t hesitant to contact us if we can provide any additional information at unhlm@stoptb.org