GENEVA: In an attempt to eradicate Tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, delegates from 114 countries have agreed to take urgent action to end the world's deadliest disease.
The announcement came at the first WHO global ministerial conference in Moscow on ending tuberculosis.
"Today marks a critical landmark in the fight to end TB," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
"It signals a long overdue global commitment to stop the death and suffering caused by this ancient killer," Ghebreyesus said.
Global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 53 million lives since 2000 and reduced the TB mortality rate by 37 per cent.
However, progress in many countries has stalled, global targets are off-track, and persistent gaps remain in TB care and prevention.
As a result, TB still kills more people than any other infectious disease. There are major problems associated with antimicrobial resistance, and it is the leading killer of people with HIV.
"One of the main problems has been a lack of political will and inadequate investment in fighting TB," Ghebreyesus said.
"Today's declaration must go hand-in-hand with increased investment," he added.