The World Health Organization held a Member State briefing on the fourth UN High-Level Meeting of NCDs and Mental Health (HLM4) and its resulting Political Declaration on Friday 28 November in Geneva. The briefing reflected on the outcomes and lessons learned of HLM4, next steps for the adoption of the Political Declaration, and implementation and monitoring of its commitments and targets.

The NCD Alliance, represented by Policy and Advocacy Director Alison Cox, was invited to share its perspective at the briefing. She highlighted the strong support shown by governments for the Political Declaration and applauded the important gains achieved through months of consultation and collaboration, namely the inclusion of important targets, the integration of mental health, and strong language on access to affordable medicines, technologies, and financial protection.

“Having set targets for accelerated action, we are clear that what matters now is implementation, investment, and accountability at the national level. The Political Declaration should be viewed as a floor, not a ceiling for ambition.”

– Alison Cox, Policy & Advocacy Director, NCD Alliance

The Political Declaration is expected to be tabled for adoption by the UN General Assembly in upcoming weeks, where it would likely to go to vote and have majority support.

“The High-level Meeting saw governments from all regions reaffirm their shared commitment to tackling the world’s leading causes of death and disability. Statement after statement from heads of state and ministers underscored strong support for faster, bolder action—showing that the vast majority of countries stand firmly behind the Political Declaration.”

– Alison Cox, Policy & Advocacy Director, NCD Alliance

The NCD Alliance encourages governments to continue voicing their support and to advance the declaration's adoption at the UN General Assembly. All stakeholders can build on the declaration to drive progress ahead of 2030—advancing SDG 3.4 on NCDs and mental health and SDG 3.8 on achieving Universal Health Coverage. These goals can only be met by integrating NCD prevention and care and addressing the root causes of NCDs and inequity, protecting people from health-harming industries, and fostering environments that support health for all.