19 June 2014: Participants at an informal interactive hearing on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) discussed best practices and ways to prioritize NCDs in global and national agendas, ahead of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on NCDs, which will convene on 10-11 July 2014.

The one-day hearing at UN Headquarters in New York, US, on 19 June 2014, focused on the theme of ‘Global Progress, National Action: Moving from commitment to implementation.’ It provided opportunity for civil society, the private sector and academia to give their views on the draft outcome document to be adopted at the High-Level Meeting on the Comprehensive Review and Assessment of the Progress Achieved in the Prevention and Control of NCDs.

UNGA President John Ashe welcomed recent action on the prevention and control of NCDs, such as better labeling of food products, reduction of salt content in packaged foods, and more responsible marketing of food and beverages to children. He stressed the value of broad, community-based engagement on the issue of NCDs, noting that the World Health Organization (WHO) has put in place a clear road map for action through its Global Action Plan and Comprehensive Global Monitoring Framework.

The High-Level Meeting on NCDs will review and assess progress made since the previous High-Level Meeting in 2011, which resulted in a Political Declaration outlining a range of commitments on treatment, prevention, international cooperation and research on NCDs. [UN Press Release] [Statement by UNGA President] [Hearing Programme] [Website for Hearing and High-level Meeting] [2011 Political Declaration on NCDs]