Civil society organizations (CSOs) are indispensable to translating high-level commitments into people-centred change across food and physical-activity environments. They make policy processes more transparent through watchdogging and public reporting; mobilize constituencies and elevate affected communities; co-design and stress-test measures with policymakers to ensure equity and feasibility; and sustain accountability by monitoring implementation and, where needed, supporting legal defence or strategic litigation. Across regions, CSO coalitions have collaborated with governments, researchers and professional bodies to build enabling legal and policy frameworks—leading or supporting excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, front-of-pack nutrition labelling, and restrictions on unhealthy food marketing to children.

This side event will highlight how civil society, governments, and other sectors can work together to turn proven NCDs solutions—such as nutrition labelling, marketing restrictions, and sugary drink taxes—into lasting policy. Drawing on global best practices, it will present practical ways to embed rights-based, multisectoral governance to ensure evidence moves from paper to real, enforceable change.