Leading and Linking: Bold actions to tackle NCDs for Sustainable Development
Following the third United Nations (UN) High-Level Meeting (HLM) on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) in 2018, Heads of State and Government will meet again in September 2025 forthe fourth UN HLM on NCDs. The 2025 meeting will offer an opportunity to take stock, address the evolving global landscape, recommit to NCDs as a priority at the highest political level, and outline critical steps to build and pursue a collective vision and course of action for the next decades on NCD prevention and care.
NCDs – such as diabetes, cancers, heart and lung diseases, and mental health and neurological conditions – remain the main drivers of death and disability worldwide, causing nearly three-quarters of global mortality. Many NCDs are preventable or can be delayed, detected earlier, and better managed through health-promoting policies and stronger health systems, underpinned by a comprehensive universal health coverage (UHC) strategy. However, around 14 million NCD deaths occur in the prime of life – before the age of 70. Moreover, 85% of these premature deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, affecting these countries and those living with a lower socioeconomic status disproportionately, showing NCDs remain a barrier to eradicating poverty and gender inequality, accessing education and decent work, and economic prosperity more broadly, hindering countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Despite some progress following the adoption of the 2018 Political Declaration of the UN HLM on NCDs, action on NCDs is still lagging, and many countries are off track to meet the SDG target 3.4 to reduce premature NCD mortality by a third by 2030. However, we know what works, such as Appendix 3 of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global NCD action plan 2013-2030 (also known as the NCD ‘best buys’), – but implementation must be supported by leadership and commitment at the highest political level. Achieving health for all requires strengthening health systems while also aiming for a whole-of-government and
whole-of-society response to address the wider determinants of health, which lie outside health systems, and have a serious impact on people’s exposure to NCD risk factors, their ability to seek care, and their health outcomes.
Organized by the NCD Alliance (NCDA) and the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly and the 2024 Summit of the Future, this high-level event will aim to convene world leaders to discuss why it’s Time to Lead and act on NCDs for sustainable development ahead of the 2025 UN HLM on NCDs. In line with NCD Alliance’s Advocacy Priorities for this UN HLM and WHO’s Global NCD Compact 2020-2030, the conversation will focus on the need to break down silos between other global health and development priorities to ensure integrated NCD action; to mobilize investment in adequate, predictable, and sustained resources for NCDs; to accelerate national implementation of NCD strategies; deliver accountability for the implementation of NCD commitments; and to engage communities to respond to population needs.