Global TB Report: “Progress is Possible: We Know What Works, Let’s Scale It”
Statement by Peter Sands Executive Director, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
12 November 2025
WHO’s latest Global Tuberculosis Report confirms what we already know: TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, claiming 1.23 million lives in 2024 alone. But the report also shows that progress is possible – and happening. In 2024, several countries across Africa and Europe achieved key milestones in TB prevention and care. Demonstrating that with the right tools and strategies, we can turn the tide.
We now have shorter, more effective treatment regimens, improved prevention strategies, and cutting-edge diagnostics, including AI-powered tools that can detect TB faster and more accurately than ever before. These innovations are transforming how we fight TB, especially in resource-limited settings.
It took four long years to recover from the disruptions caused by COVID-19. We cannot afford another setback. Any funding shortfall now risks reversing hard-won gains, especially in the most vulnerable communities. The Global Fund remains the largest international financier of TB programs in low- and middle-income countries, but we are facing growing pressure as donor budgets tighten.
Our replenishment summit in Johannesburg next week will be a decisive moment. If we act boldly and invest consistently, we can end TB. But if we falter, the cost – in lives and in lost progress – will be devastating. Our window of opportunity is narrow; now is the moment to bridge the gap between innovation and impact. Let this report be a wake-up call: we must commit, invest, and deliver, together.