High-level representatives meet in Riga to consolidate united front against tuberculosis

On 30-31 March an international high-level conference organised within the framework of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU will bring together high-level health representatives to discuss and strengthen intergovernmental and multi-sectoral collaboration in the fight against tuberculosis and its multi-drug resistance.

The key objectives of the conference are to strengthen political cooperation on eliminating tuberculosis and its multi-drug resistance in the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) and the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries through sustained action by health systems. The conference participants will also discuss multi-sectoral and cross-regional approaches and strategies in tuberculosis prevention and care, with a focus on vulnerable communities and the cross-border dimension. Research and innovation regarding new tools to fight tuberculosis and its multi-drug resistance will also be discussed.

The conference will be attended by ministers and high-level representatives from the Health, Social Affairs and Finance Ministries in the European Union, European Economic Area and Eastern Partnership countries as well as high representatives from the European Commission and the World Health Organization, Members of the European Parliament, representatives from international institutions and NGOs, and representatives from communities and people affected by tuberculosis. The aim is to boost commitment and ultimately improve tuberculosis prevention and care.

The Eastern Partnership Ministerial Conference on Tuberculosis and its multi-drug resistanceis organised by the Latvian Ministry of Health in co-operation with the Regional Office for Europe at the World Health Organization, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the Stop TB Partnership, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the European Commission.