The World Health Organization’s 2021 Global Tuberculosis Report presents key facts, global findings, commitments, strategies and targets on tuberculosis (TB). The report demonstrates an overall drop in performance and reversal of gains in both diagnosis and treatment of TB achieved over the years leading to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in most of the six WHO regions. There are some national and regional success stories, but global TB targets are mostly off-track. Actions to mitigate and reverse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TB are urgently needed with immediate priority being the restoration of access to and provision of essential TB services. This report is invaluable to TB programs, implementing mechanisms, front line workers, academic institutions and other partners.