23 January 2014: Pursuant to UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 66/2 on the ‘Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases’ (NCDs), which mandates that the body review global progress on NCDs in its 68th session, informal consultations have begun on the modalities for a comprehensive review and assessment of the progress achieved in the prevention and control of NCDs.

The informal consultations, taking place at UN Headquarters in New York, US, will be led by Co-Chairs Benedicte Frankinet, Permanent Representative of Belgium, and Courtenay Rattray, Permanent Representative of Jamaica, according to a letter from UNGA President John Ashe to Member States. The consultations will involve Member States and relevant stakeholders in a discussion on the modalities for reviewing progress.

Questions for discussion during the informal consultations include: on which date to hold the review; at which level should governments participate; how to structure the format and duration of the meeting; the suitable scope and substance of the review; and what outcome documents should be produced from the review.

The Co-Chairs hope to have modalities for the NCDs review agreed upon by March 2014. [Letters from PGA, Co-Chairs] [IISD RS Sources]