Ending TB in the Spotlight in Landmark BRICS Health Ministers’ Declaration
18 June 2025
18 June 2025 | GENEVA — The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes the strong political commitment to ending tuberculosis (TB) among global health priorities in the Declaration of the XV BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting, held on 17 June 2025 under Brazil’s chairship. In a notable acknowledgment, the declaration recognized the leadership of WHO’s Global Programme on Tuberculosis & Lung Health (GTB) in guiding the global effort to end TB.
This milestone declaration reflects the growing momentum of BRICS health cooperation and a shared determination to address major global health challenges, particularly among nations of the Global South. One of the key highlights in the declaration is the recognition of TB as a critical global health challenge and the reaffirmation of BRICS’ resolve to accelerate the development, deployment, and equitable access to TB-related innovations.
“WHO commends the bold and decisive commitments made by BRICS health ministers to accelerate the fight against TB,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Global Programme on TB & Lung Health. “Political will and investment are essential to ending TB and addressing the broader social inequalities that continue to fuel TB and other devastating diseases. BRICS is setting a powerful example for global action.”
The Declaration calls for deeper international cooperation, sustainable financing and alignment of regulatory frameworks to support the goal of ending TB. It highlights the urgent need of addressing chronic underinvestment in TB research and development, with a focus on novel TB vaccines, urging the mobilization of financially robust institutions—including multilateral bodies and the private sector—to support long-term investment strategies and financing mechanisms. The declaration recognizes the strategic role of the BRICS TB Research Network in advancing shared research priorities and guiding the development of harmonized approaches among BRICS countries.
Health ministers also underscored the need for comprehensive, multisectoral responses to socially determined diseases—such as TB—which are closely linked to structural inequalities and the broader social determinants of health. To address this, the declaration announced the forthcoming launch of the BRICS Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases at the 2025 BRICS Leaders’ Summit, aimed at driving coordinated, cross-sectoral action.
The meeting brought together representatives from BRICS members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and the newly joined Republic of Indonesia—alongside partner countries including Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus delivered a message at the meeting.
Source: WHO
