Arena and Convention Centre (ACC) Liverpool in Liverpool, UK, has been chosen to host the 47th Union World Conference on Lung Health in 2016.
The event is the annual international conference for researchers, health program 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 Oct. 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 program 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.
