Liverpool to host the 47th Union World Conference on Lung Health

Attracting more than 3,000 delegates from 125 countries

The event is the premier annual international conference for researchers, health programme managers, policy experts, advocates and other leaders working to address tuberculosis, lung health and other global health issues primarily affecting people living in poverty.

The conference, taking place at the waterfront venue from October 25 - 29 2016, is expected to draw more than 3,000 speakers, researchers and delegates from 125 countries.

The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) based in Paris, draws from the best scientific evidence and expertise to advance health solutions to public health challenges affecting people living in low and middle-income countries. It has a powerful global network of 500 experts based in 13 offices and 17,000 Union members/subscribers, whose work in 156 countries has been supported by US$ 540 million in grants and donations. The World Conference is one key element of its work.

Professor Bertie Squire, past president and board member of The Union and professor at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), said: “The Union’s decision to host its World Conference in Liverpool is not only a recognition of our outstanding conference host city but also an acknowledgement of the leading research being conducted here in the field of TB and wider lung health.”

The World Conference’s five-day scientific programme will present the latest developments in the inter-related fights against tuberculosis, HIV, lung disease and non-communicable diseases.

José Luis Castro, executive director of The Union, said: “One and a half million people died from TB in 2013, yet it is a treatable and curable disease. It is a disease that affects all parts of the world, and is in fact still a public health problem even in the UK and similar countries.

“The World Conference is a critical opportunity for all those working on TB and other lung health issues to come together. I am delighted that the conference will be in Liverpool, where we have received such a warm welcome and where such great work in our field is taking place.”

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “It is a huge coup for Liverpool to secure this international conference. It puts the city in the spotlight as a global leader in this field and will also provide a welcome economic boost due to the large number of delegates coming to the city.”

Kerrin MacPhie, director of sales at ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre, Echo Arena and Exhibition Centre Liverpool, added: “Professor Squire, supported by the team, has driven this successful bid. This is a great example of Team Liverpool’s winning formula - from the academic expertise within the city, to destination support and world-class conference facilities.”

The five day conference is expected to generate around £7.8m in economic benefit for Liverpool.

About ACC Liverpool

• ACC Liverpool currently comprises BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena
• Twitter: @ACCLiverpool
• Since opening in 2008, ACC Liverpool has contributed £860m to the local economy
• Construction is underway on Exhibition Centre Liverpool and integrated Pullman hotel.  Opening is due autumn 2015 with bookings being taken for the hotel from January 2016
• BT Convention Centre has held 785 conferences and hosted over 471,000 delegates
• Awards include Winner of Best UK Conference Centre at the M & IT Awards 2013, 2014, 2015
• It has hosted events including the Liberal Democrats and Labour Party Conferences, NHS Confederation and BBC Worldwide Showcase
• Echo Arena has a capacity of 11,000 and has hosted a range of high profile events including the MOBO Awards 2010 and 2012, the European MTV awards, BBC Sports Personality of the Year, the Davis Cup and Sir Paul McCartney
• Echo Arena has hosted more than 820 performances and has welcomed 3.9 million visitors.

About The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union)

For nearly 100 years, The Union has drawn from the best scientific evidence and the skills, expertise and reach of its staff, consultants and membership in order to advance solutions to the most pressing public health challenges affecting people living in poverty around the world. With nearly 17,000 members and subscribers from 156 countries, The Union has its headquarters in Paris and regional offices in Africa, the Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, North America and South-East Asia. The Union’s scientific departments focus on tuberculosis and HIV, lung health and non-communicable diseases, tobacco control and operational research. For more information, please visit www.theunion.org.

Source: The Union