Implementing the 2025 Political Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health in an Era of Global Health Reform

The Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health in 2025 marked a pivotal moment for governments to renew their commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.4, reducing premature mortality from NCDs, and advancing mental health and well-being by 2030, alongside progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Held on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA79), this high-level panel event will explore how recent global commitments can be translated into concrete action in a rapidly evolving health landscape. Bringing together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across sectors, the event will examine key opportunities to accelerate progress on NCDs, including mental health and neurological conditions, in 2026 and beyond.

Discussions will highlight critical policy pathways, including sustainable financing, integrated and people-centred primary health care (PHC), and multisectoral action to strengthen the NCD positioning in the evolving global health architecture. The panel will also consider how the 2025 Political Declaration and other global health commitments can serve as catalysts for progress, and how upcoming processes—such as the Global Financing Dialogue on NCDs and Mental Health and the UN High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS—can be leveraged to advance these priorities.

This event offers a unique opportunity to engage with leading voices and decision-makers on how we translate commitments into meaningful progress for both NCD response and achieving UHC.

The event is taking place on 18 May, at 18:30-19:30 CEST and is followed by a reception. 

You can find below the list of speakers confirmed so far.