The theme of the conference is "Poverty and lung health". This theme is highly relevant for our colleagues who have to deal with the burden of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, asthma, pneumonia, tobacco-related and other lung diseases as well as the health consequences of air pollution. The important medical, social and economic consequences of lung health in high-burden countries will also be discussed.

The World Conference offers an ideal venue for debates on these challenges and thus contributes to better understanding, ensuring more effective, efficient and sustainable services, interventions and programmes. A parallel session in Spanish will also be held each day of the conference for our Spanish-speaking delegates.