APPG on Global TB holds 2021 AGM

Earlier this week, the APPG on Global Tuberculosis held its Annual General Meeting. Minutes can be found below:

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TB AGM – 8 June 2021

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Virendra Sharma MP and Lord Herbert were re-elected as Chair and Co-Chair of the APPG. The other officers of the APPG were also re-elected unanimously.

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The officership of the APPG remains as follows:

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Virendra Sharma MP, Chair

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Lord Herbert, Co-Chair

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Baroness Sheehan, Vice-Chair

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Baroness Masham, Vice-Chair

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Baroness Suttie, Vice-Chair

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Pauline Latham MP, Vice-Chair

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RESULTS UK were re-appointed as the secretariat of the APPG.

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General Discussion:

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  • Lord Herbert suggested that one of the primary aims of the coming year is to get more parliamentarians involved in the work of the APPG

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  • These cannot just be ‘mail-merge’ approaches, and require more bespoke engagement might lead to greater numbers of MPs and peers becoming involved with the APPG

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  • It was agreed that the APPG would have a special session to look at gaps in its work to determine what’re the best inquiries/projects to take forward.

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  • Parliamentarians agree that APPG on Global TB’s inquiries and the reports produced are one of the APPG’s most impactful activities with Government ministers. Lord Herbert suggests these inquiries are also key to the APPG building strong ties to experts in the research community.

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UK ODA Cuts:

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  • Lord Herbert highlighted how the cuts to UK ODA would impact research and development that is already being undertaken

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  • Parliamentarians expressed serious concern about the impact of ODA cuts on TB and its diagnostics and treatment.

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  • The APPG agreed to draw up a letter to the PM to call for more TB funding and prioritisation as part of the UK’s global pandemic response, and post-pandemic strategy

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Potential areas of work highlighted for the APPG to look at over the coming year:

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  • G7 and G20

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  • Indian, Nepal and South Asia – the dual-impacts of COVID-19 and TB

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  • The impact of COVID-19 on TB

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  • ODA cuts and the impact on TB

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  • Global Fund replenishment preparations

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  • A research-focused inquiry which looks at research and development and new TB diagnostics.

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