Collaboration Forum G20 And G7 Joint Efforts Against Tuberculosis

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hatarto (Photo: Public Relations)

JAKARTA - Around 10 million people fall ill due to tuberculosis (TB), based on data quoted from the World Health Organization website. Most of those who contract TB live in low- and middle-income countries, but the disease is still widespread throughout the world.

Although it is a preventable and curable disease, each year around 1.5 million people die from this disease. Because TB is experienced by people in various countries around the world, collective efforts are needed to fight this disease.

“Two globally recognized forums, the G7 and G20, can work together to provide a stronger response to the health crisis. In this context, Indonesia as the G20 Presidency and Germany as the G7 Chair, must intensify coordination in order to bring together the priorities of these forums," said Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto in a virtual presentation at the Global TB Caucus Discussion with the theme "Recover Together, Recover Stronger: Synergizing G20 and G7 Presidencies for A Stronger Response To Health Crises”, Thursday, January 20.

As the country holding the G20 Presidency this year, Indonesia focuses on three main priorities, namely strengthening the global health architecture, economic transformation through digitalization, and the transition to sustainable energy.

“Indonesia aspires to promote collective action to respond to global health issues and contribute to a stronger global health architecture. Indonesia also hopes that the global community is ready with financial resources that can be mobilized to ensure adequate and sustainable financing for global health problems, especially in terms of prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR)," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga. G20 to be more involved in the Task Force on Finance & Health (TFHF). The TFHF is aimed at increasing global dialogue and cooperation on issues related to PPR, encouraging the exchange of best practice information, developing coordination between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health, assessing and dealing with health emergencies with cross-border impacts, and encouraging resource management. effective for PPR.

“Finally, in synergizing the priorities of the G20 and G7, Indonesia views it as important for the two Presidencies to establish regular communication channels. Therefore, I strongly encourage our embassy in Berlin and the German mission in Jakarta to increase collaboration," concluded Coordinating Minister Airlangga.

The discussion event organized by the Global TB Caucus, The Global Fund, and The G20 Health & Development Partnership aims to bring together Members of Parliament from various countries, Sherpas, community representatives, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Health from Indonesia and Germany to synergize the G20 Presidency and G7 in realizing a stronger response to health crises, especially tuberculosis.

Also attending the discussion were Members of the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission IX, Members of the German Parliament, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership, Director of External Affairs FIND, representatives from Indonesia for Global Justice, and representatives from World Vision.