Today NCD Alliance released its Activity Report for 2015. During 2015 NCD Alliance drove forward an ambitious programme of work to maintain momentum on NCDs at global, regional and national levels. We celebrated achievements, convened NCD civil society representatives, and set solid foundations for supporting progress on NCD prevention and control in the post-2015 era.

In 2015 NCD Alliance celebrated an advocacy milestone with NCDs recognised as a sustainable development priority.

Thanks to the joint and concerted advocacy of our global network, NCDs were recognised as a priority in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This was a long-term advocacy goal that NCD Alliance set out to achieve when formed in 2009. It has been a long journey, but in September 2015 it became a reality. This is a milestone that should not be underestimated. It has the potential to transform the NCD response in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), as well as to unlock new partnerships, capabilities and funding across the sustainable development community. However, the work starts now in ensuring these global commitments are translated into national action and implementation. 

In 2015 NCD Alliance changed gears, increasing local capacity strengthening activities to fast-track the response to NCDs

For this reason, 2015 was also the year in which we initiated an important gear change in our strategic focus. In parallel to coordinating global advocacy, we scaled up our efforts to support national and regional action on NCDs, with a particular focus on strengthening civil society’s capacity to demand action, influence the policy environment and monitor progress. This is a hallmark of our new NCDA Strategic Plan 2016-2020. It is our belief that a vibrant and united NCD civil society movement capable of delivering on its three primary roles - advocacy, accountability, and direct provision of NCD services - is a fundamental strategy for fast-tracking progress at national and regional levels. 

In 2015 NCD Alliance listened to understand NCD civil society needs, challenges and priorities to better support local action

In the space of 12 months, we organised a series of five regional NCD civil society meetings, conducted a comprehensive analysis of existing national and regional NCD alliances, inspired the creation of over 10 newly forming NCD alliances, and convened the Global NCD Alliance Forum in Sharjah which brought together this unique and growing network for the first time. Through these activities, we have established a wealth of data and analysis on NCD civil society needs, challenges, and priorities, which will inform our civil society capacity development work going forward. 

In 2015 NCD Alliance convened global NCD civil society leaders for the first time to facilitate knowledge exchange & capitalise on momentum

A highlight of 2015 was undoubtedly the inaugural Global NCD Alliance Forum on 13-15 November in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was a privilege to see 200 NCD civil society leaders and over 40 national and regional NCD alliances from around the world come together to share experiences and good practices, build partnerships, and agree advocacy priorities for the new era of sustainable development. There is no doubt the Forum will have a lasting legacy, and the announcement by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and Patron of the Forum, that it will be repeated in 2017 is all the more exciting. We are extremely grateful to Her Highness for her leadership and commitment to NCDs. 

As always, these achievements are only possible with the steadfast dedication of our global network, our supporters and advisers, our federations, and the NCDA team. The challenge ahead of us remains immense. But together, we are making a difference for people at risk of, or living with NCDs worldwide.

About the Author

Katie Dain is Executive Director of NCD Alliance.

Katie has worked with the NCD Alliance since its founding in 2009; her experience has included organisational and strategic development; global advocacy and policy-making; and programme design and capacity-building in low- and middle-income countries (read more).