Anniversary of landmark UN High-level Meeting on NCDs

Exactly two years ago today, world leaders, policymakers, and civil society representatives gathered at United Nations Headquarters in New York for the High-level Meeting (HLM) on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). 

Under the leadership of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and with the support of the NCD Alliance and our network, the HLM was a watershed moment in the history of global health and development. With the adoption of the Political Declaration on the Prevention and Control of NCDs, for the first time Member States and the UN recognised the impact of the global NCD epidemic and made unprecedented commitments for action.

Click here to read more about the HLM, including statements, outcomes, and commitments made.

Celebrating Progress to Date 

To mark this second anniversary, the NCD Alliance has sent an open letter to the President of the 68th UN General Assembly, His Excellency John Ashe. In the letter, we remark on the significant progress made at the global level in implementing the Political Declaration, and highlight our priorities for the year ahead – particularly the UN Review and Assessment for NCDs in 2014.

Click here to read the letter to H.E. John Ashe, President of the 68th UN General Assembly.

In two short years, through our united efforts, we have secured the adoption of the first set of global NCD targets, a Global NCD Action Plan 2013-2020, a UN Task Force on NCDs, and agreement to establish aGlobal Coordination Mechanism for NCDs. We have also witnessed increased recognition for NCDs as a priority for the post-2015 development agenda.

These achievements should be celebrated by the global NCD community, and by no means underestimated. They demonstrate that the HLM was the tipping point we were hoping for, generating political awareness and momentum for this neglected epidemic.

Together these global targets, plans and mechanisms form the global architecture for NCDs. Now we must redouble our efforts to ensure they are translated into action and change for the millions of people at risk or living with NCDs worldwide.

Looking Ahead - UN Review for NCDs, 2014

Our main focus for the second anniversary, however, is to outline our priorities for 2014. The UN Political Declaration includes a mandate for a comprehensive UN review and assessment for NCDs in 2014. This 2014 Review is a significant opportunity.

The Review will be the first time Member States return to UNHQ to discuss the global NCD response. It will be an opportunity for stock-taking on progress, sharing lessons learned, and agreeing recommendations to guide the NCD response beyond 2014.

The arrangements and ultimate success of the 2014 NCD Review will be determined by a modalities resolution, to be negotiated by the General Assembly early in 2014. In our letter to H.E. John Ashe, the NCD Alliance therefore outlines six priorities for the modalities resolution:

• A high-level review: This will encourage participation of Heads of State/Government;
• September 2014: Held during the opening of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly;
• Two days in length: To provide adequate time for discussion and debate;
• Establish a Civil Society Task Force: To assist in preparations for an informal interactive civil society hearing ahead of the meeting, and maximise civil society input to the review itself;
•  Formal inclusion of civil society: In the review itself and in all preparatory consultations;
• Concise and action-oriented political declaration: That reaffirms and builds on the 2011 Political Declaration to guide and monitor the NCD response beyond 2014.

These six priorities will provide the basis for our advocacy efforts over the next six months, in the lead up to and during the modalities resolution negotiations. We will be providing more detailed information to our network on the process and action points shortly.

In the meantime, please share with us how your organisation is marking the anniversary. We encourage you to promote the NCD Alliance open letter within your networks, and draw from the content for your own letter to your government to mark the second anniversary of the HLM.

Join us in celebrating this second HLM anniversary, and reflecting upon our collective achievements to create a healthy future for all.

Social Media

Follow these hashtags for updates on the HLM anniversary:

• #NCDmomentum

• #NCDs