WHO Collaborating Centre Innovation and Global Cooperation for Tuberculosis Elimination Officially Established in Beijing

On the morning of August 28, 2026, the establishment ceremony of the WHO Collaborating Centre Innovation and Global Cooperation for Tuberculosis Elimination was held at the Changping Campus of China CDC.

Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO Department of Global Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections; Martin Taylor, WHO Representative in China; Shi Ying, Director of the Department of Science, Education and International Cooperation at the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration; and Zhang Guoxin, Secretary of the Party Committee of China CDC, were among the attendees. The event was presided over by Zhao Yanlin, Director of the Centre for Tuberculosis Control and Prevention at China CDC.

In her address, Director Tereza Kasaeva first extended warm congratulations to the China CDC on behalf of the World Health Organization and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. She expressed the hope that the newly established collaborating centre would serve as an important platform for global innovation, research, technical exchange and capacity building, bringing innovative achievements and effective solutions to more affected populations and communities.

WHO Representative Martin Taylor noted in his address that to end tuberculosis, it is essential to expand access to services and promote innovative initiatives. He expressed the hope that the newly established collaborating centre would better integrate policy and research with national and local practices, while promoting the wider dissemination of China's experience.

In her address, Director Shi Ying expressed the hope that the newly appointed WHO collaborating centre would focus on research and innovation, play an active role in regional and global tuberculosis prevention and control efforts, and contribute to accelerating progress toward the global goal of ending the tuberculosis epidemic by 2030.

Secretary Zhang Guoxin noted in his address that the establishment of the global collaborating centre at the China CDC fully recognizes China's comprehensive capacity for tuberculosis prevention and control and the achievements of its years of practice. He expressed gratitude to international organizations, institutions at all levels, and all TB control professionals for their years of dedicated efforts. He expressed the hope that the Collaborating Centre Innovation and Global Cooperation for Tuberculosis Elimination would focus on key priority areas, continuously deepen multilateral exchanges and cooperation, help countries improve their comprehensive capacity for tuberculosis prevention and control, and promote joint efforts and shared progress in global tuberculosis prevention and control.

Zhao Yanlin, Director of the Centre for Tuberculosis Control and Prevention, delivered a report on the work mandate and plans of the global collaborating centre.

In the presence of all those in attendance, the guests unveiled the plaque for the global collaborating centre

Nearly 100 leaders and expert representatives from the WHO headquarters and the WHO Representative Office in China, the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Fondation Mérieux, China CDC, the first batch of 13 tuberculosis prevention and control practical training bases of the global collaborating centre, as well as tuberculosis prevention and control institutions from some provinces and cities attended the event.