Healthy Western Pacific Alliance launches, commits to strengthen collaboration and accelerate action on NCDs

Manila, Philippines — Civil society organisations (CSOs) from across the Western Pacific officially launched the Healthy Western Pacific Alliance (HWPA), a regional platform aimed at strengthening collaboration to accelerate collective action on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions in the Western Pacific.

The Alliance fortified their commitments during the regional forum, “From Knowledge to Action: Strengthening Civil Society Initiatives on NCDs in the Western Pacific,” held at The Bayleaf Intramuros in Manila last Friday, October 23.

The HWPA, with the Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA) as lead convenor, brought together its founding members namely, NCD Alliance Cambodia, NCD Alliance Indonesia, NCD Alliance Malaysia, International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations Western Pacific (IAPO), and Asia Pacific Alcohol Policy Alliance (APAPA) to discuss the growing burden of NCDs and mental health conditions and identify opportunities for stronger regional cooperation.

Former Philippine Secretary of Health and lead convenor of the HWPA, Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan said, “The challenges posed by noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions do not stop at national borders,” he said. “Neither should our response. Through the Healthy Western Pacific Alliance, we are bringing together civil society organizations, advocates and communities to turn shared knowledge into collective action. This is about ensuring that regional commitments translate into meaningful changes in people’s lives.”

Dato’ Dr. Saunthari Somasundaram, President-elect of the NCD Alliance and President of the National Cancer Society Malaysia, congratulated the HWPA, and expressed, “In a time when civic space is shrinking in many parts of the world, the emergence of HWPA is particularly encouraging. Civil society and people living with NCDs must have a meaningful role in decisions that affect their health and lives — not simply as stakeholders to be consulted, but as partners who help shape policies, advocate for change and hold decision-makers accountable.”

Dato’ Dr. Somasundaram led the discussion on civil society perspectives, emphasising the role of community organisations in influencing health policies, promoting accountability and advancing equitable access to prevention and care.

A key highlight of the launch was the HWPA commitment-signing ceremony, during which Alliance members affirmed their shared commitment to strengthening regional collaboration and advancing coordinated action on NCDs and mental health conditions.

Participating civil society organisations, policymakers and other stakeholders also signed a wall of commitment on NCD and mental health action, demonstrating their support for sustained advocacy and cooperation across the region. Among those who expressed their support was Dr. Grace Fe Buquiran-Nericua, Officer-in-charge and Director of the Bureau of International Health Cooperation of the Philippine Department of Health. In addition to signing the wall of commitment, she delivered a solidarity message affirming the Department’s support.

Among those who expressed their support was Dr. Grace Fe Buquiran-Nericua, Officer-in-charge and Director of the Bureau of International Health Cooperation of the Philippine Department of Health. In addition to signing the wall of commitment, she delivered a solidarity message affirming the Department’s support.

“It is through [civil society organizations’] advocacy, community engagement, and lived experiences [that] you help ensure that health policies and programs remain responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people we serve,” Dr. Buquiran-Nericua said. “[The Department of Health] welcomes the launch of the Healthy Western Pacific Alliance as a timely opportunity to strengthen regional cooperation, amplify the voices of communities, and foster greater collaboration in addressing NCDs and mental health challenges.”

A panel discussion featuring HWPA core group members highlighted civil society initiatives and experiences from across the Western Pacific, including approaches to advocacy, community engagement, regional alliance-building and mobilising the youth.

“As diverse as our region is and our countries are, we face common public health challenges. We might not agree on every little detail, but we have common issues. We are fighting back against the same power and influence exerted by commercial actors and we are experiencing that across borders. So should our efforts,” said Atty. Ma-Anne Rosales, Interim Chairperson of APAPA.

“Doing the advocacy with one message that resonates with others with the same message, can shift the ideas in the region, then maybe [people realize] this is important. It doesn’t mean that majority will agree but we can use that [to our advantage],” said Nanda Fauziyana, program manager of NCD Alliance Indonesia.

Tim Vora, chair of NCD Alliance Cambodia, added, “We can connect, share experiences, especially results [of research] from each country. We feel confident that we can support each other [to identify] what the priority issues or agenda are. Each country can provide technical support, research support and monitoring of the regional situation.”

Wan Thung Chan, Assistant Secretary General of NCD Alliance Malaysia said, “It is very important for us to involve the young people. They are now very creative and can share all the [advocacy] messages across. We have screening programs and awareness programs because we want the young people to be our spokespersons.”

Meanwhile, Ms. Xi Yin, Coordinator for Health Promotion and Policy at the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, also presented an overview of the regional NCD situation, highlighting pressing public health challenges and opportunities to strengthen collective action across the Western Pacific. She also affirmed the unique perspective of CSOs working with NCDs.

“Your work will become part of your life because you think and live with it every single day because you see people suffering in our communities. You see the inequality [caused by] NCDs and the risk factor behaviour—the whole pathway— from screening to treatment and management,” Yin stated, addressing the members of the HWPA.

She added, “We have to do something about this because we represent the people in our communities. We are in this together. WHO cannot do it alone. Governments cannot do it alone. We need civil society. We need the people who understand what they are facing and why people are suffering.”

The forum concluded with a discussion on the Alliance’s next steps, including strengthening partnerships, sustaining regional engagement and identifying opportunities for joint advocacy.

Home to approximately 1.9 billion people, the Western Pacific faces significant public health challenges, with NCDs accounting for nearly 90 percent of deaths in the region. Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases continue to place enormous pressure on health systems, while mental health conditions remain a growing concern.

Strengthening civil society leadership across the region

The launch builds on momentum surrounding the 77th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific and the growing recognition of civil society as an essential partner in advancing commitments on NCDs and mental health.

Central to the Alliance’s mission is the meaningful participation of people living with NCDs and mental health conditions, recognising that their lived experiences are essential to developing inclusive, responsive and effective health policies. HWPA envisions a healthy and thriving Western Pacific where communities are meaningfully engaged, free from stigma and the burdens of NCDs and mental health conditions, and able to enjoy safe and nurturing environments. Through unified voices, stronger partnerships and collective leadership, the Alliance aims to accelerate progress toward healthier and more equitable societies across the region.

If you wish to learn more about the alliance, you can visit their website available here.