Building Forward Better: Catalysing Investments for NCDs

Date: Wednesday 3rd November 2021, 9:30 – 11:00 EDT / 14:30 – 16:00 CET   

In light of the syndemic of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and COVID-19 – both exacerbated by social factors like poverty, bridging the investment gap for NCDs has become imperative to build back better and fairer. Funding for NCDs has been at the forefront of international policy discussions since the first UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs in 2011, where leaders committed to exploring the provision of adequate and sustained resources for NCDs, a commitment that has been reiterated over time. Yet, the lack of attention to funding NCDs occurs at all levels: international, regional, and national, which is why both governments and international donors should accord a significantly higher value to the investment case for public health and NCD policies.

This virtual event will:

• Share lessons of the challenges and opportunities brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic on global, regional, and national finances and NCD responses. 
• Discuss current and upcoming health financing mechanisms to address the gaps in NCDs, support the strengthening of health systems and increase preparedness for future epidemics in a challenging economic context. 
• Explore pertinent strategies for linking NCDs with other critical health and development agendas and fostering strong collaboration between all the relevant stakeholders including donors, multilaterals and civil society organisations.

Recording:

Moderator:
•    Dr. Douglas Webb, Manager, HIV, Health and Development Practice, UNDP

Opening remarks:
•    Dr. Cary Adams, CEO, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), Board Member of NCD Alliance

Keynote speaker:
•    Dr. Anders Nordström, Global Health Ambassador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden

Panellists:
•    Dr. Bente Mikkelsen, Director NCD Department, WHO
•    Prof. Thomas J. Bollyky, Director of the Global Health program and senior fellow, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
•    Mr. Joshua Makubu, Minister of Oti Region, Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled and Ghana NCD Alliance
•    Dr. Andreas Seiter, Lead Private Sector, World Bank
•    Ms. Fiona Olivier, Ms. Fiona Olivier, Global Head Corporate Affairs, Sanofi General Medicines
•    Dr. Andrea Feigl, CEO, Health Finance Institute   

Closing Remarks:
•    Ms. Katie Dain, CEO, NCD Alliance