International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union)

26/11/2025

Ending tuberculosis demands action.

📢 Dr Kavindhran Velen, Chief Scientific Officer at The Union: "The problem is no longer a lack of solutions, but a lack of political will, investment and recognition that the current trajectory will not achieve the goal of ending TB by 2030 or 2035."

As part of the AMR and Infectious Diseases campaign, led by Mediaplanet and The Guardian, The Union calls for the urgent adoption of evidence-based policies that break the chain of transmission in high-burden settings.

📖 Read Kavi's piece: https://www.globalcause.co.uk/antibiotic-resistance/break-the-chain-of-transmission-to-end-tuberculosis/

Ending tuberculosis in high-burden settings requires us to adopt evidence-based interventions. No one should be at risk of this deadly, but curable, disease.

21/11/2025

👏🏻 The Union World Conference on Lung Health 2025 has officially concluded.

We deeply appreciate your participation. Let’s continue working together towards a healthier future free of TB and lung disease.

Watch the highlights here:
https://youtu.be/-NyKfAM7ioQ?si=ZldGaHEb5OF2m0Li

View the highlights from the last day of The Union World Conference on Lung Health 2025 - Copenhagen!

21/11/2025

The Union is thrilled to share that the next Union World Conference on Lung Health will take place in Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷

We look forward to gathering once again with the global lung health community bringing science, policy, and lived experience together in one of the world’s most vibrant and inspiring cities.

See you in Rio! 🌍

21/11/2025

🏆 Congratulations to the Karen Styblo Award winner former USAID accepted by Cheri Vincent.

This award is presented by Keren Middlekoop, Union Board member, at the closing session of the Union World Conference on Lung Health in Copenhagen.

21/11/2025

🏆 Congratulations to the Karen Styblo Award winner Desmond Tutu Centre, accepted by Susan Purchase.

This award is presented by Keren Middlekoop, Union Board member, at the closing session of the Union World Conference on Lung Health in Copenhagen.

21/11/2025

Congratulations to the Princess Chichibu Award 2025 winner Keertan Dheda.

This award is presented by Seiya Kato, Director, RIT/JATA at the closing session of the Union World Conference on Lung Health in Copenhagen.

21/11/2025

Scientific Reflections of the Conference
Today’s panel brought together science, policy, and lived experience to reflect on the path forward.

Panel Discussion:
Katharina Kranzer, Chair, Conference Scientific Committee
Hon. Stephan Albani, Global TB Caucus
Professor Anete Trajman, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Ashna Ashesh, Survivors Against TB

Ashna highlighted the essential role of communities: “Going forward, community engagement needs to be more substantial and elaborate, we need to work together as partners - across service delivery, implementation and more”

21/11/2025

Cassandra Kelly Cirino addresses the delegation at the closing session of .

“Thank you all for prioritising your attendance. It is clear demonstration of your commitment to our collective fight against TB and lung disease. Over 3,300 delegates joined us from 120 countries in Copenhagen and online, which is incredible.

“The last four days have validated that we are right. What we are doing is important, it does matter and we must not give up.”

21/11/2025

The winners of The Union signed book bundle giveaway are:

Chhavi Garg
Melody Schmid

Congratulations! 🎉
Please collect your prize from The Union booth.

21/11/2025

Welcome to the FINAL day of

We hope you have a productive and inspiring day ahead as we close this week of impactful discussions.

20/11/2025

👥 Day 3 of has concluded. Thank you all for your participation and enthusiasm.

See you tomorrow for the final day.

Watch the highlights here: https://tinyurl.com/2wscn66f

View the highlights from the third day of The Union World Conference on Lung Health 2025 - Copenhagen!

20/11/2025

TB has killed millions over the centuries and in 2025, it is still the #1 infectious killer of humankind. We know how to cure and control this disease, but as the panel reminded us, the world continues to choose not to.

Today’s special session ‘Tuberculosis: New warriors take on an old enemy’ spotlighted four powerful books that are bringing renewed attention to this ancient disease.

📘 Stigmatized by Handaa Enkh-Amgalan
📙 Phantom Plague by Vidya Krishnan
📗 The Black Angels by Maria Smilios
📕 Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green
The authors shared what drove them to write about TB, the core messages behind their work and their reflections on the current global health crisis.

Two quotes from the session captured the urgency in the room:
💬 Vidya Krishnan: “It is in literature I find everything that is missing in our policies.”
💬 John Green: “Microbacteria is not the cause of tuberculosis. The real cause of tuberculosis in the 21st century, is us.”