The G20

Introduction - G20 and Tuberculosis

Since its inception in 1999, the G20 has always prioritized health as a core priority. Representing more than 80 percent of the world GDP, 75 percent of international trade, and 60 percent of the world population, G20 is a strategic multilateral platform that connects the world’s major developed and emerging economies.

Global health, with a focus on Tuberculosis, One Health, and Anti-Microbial Resistance, came under the spotlight with the establishment of the Health Working Group (HWG) under the G20 Presidency of Germany. 

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of death among infectious diseases, claiming more than 4,100 lives a day. It remains the leading killer of people with HIV and a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance-related deaths. Half of the global burden of TB is in G20 countries. An estimated 10.56 million people develop TB every year in the world, about half (5.33 million) are from G20 countries. Of these estimated numbers of people with TB, in 2021 only 60% of the people were diagnosed and placed on treatment. Of the missing 4 million people with TB in the world, half of them were from G20 countries.

G20 members have consistently committed to addressing tuberculosis, particularly multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB), as part of the global AMR response, in addition to several other efforts at the international level. However, TB remains to be severely underfunded and neglected. 

Stop TB Partnership and the G20

Over the years, the Stop TB Partnership has strengthened its advocacy efforts to ensure TB is placed and discussed along with other health priorities during the G20 health tracks.

In 2021, the Stop TB Partnership drafted and sent letters advocating for increased TB R&D Funding to G20 ministers of science, finance and health as part of the BCG 100-Year Anniversary campaign.

In May 2022, during the 34th Board Meeting of the Stop TB Partnership, the Board unanimously agreed to support various health-related events and activities of the G20 presidency which focused on strengthing TB's position in the broader health agenda.  During the Indonesia Presidency of the G20, the Stop TB Partnership supported in organizing a side event during the first Health Working Group meeting.

For the first time ever, a document titled Call to Action on Financing for TB Response was developed by the Indonesian G20 Presidency in consultation with G20 members, in collaboration with World Health Organization, Stop TB Partnership, Global TB Caucus, Global Fund, USAID, World Bank, and Stop TB Partnership Indonesia. This document was published as an annex to the G20 Health Ministers Chair Summary and the Bali Summit Leaders Declaration.

The next three G20 presidencies will be held by high TB-burden countries namely, India (2023), Brazil (2024), and South Africa (2025). These are great opportunities for the global TB community to position TB high on the political agenda of world leaders.