The WHO EMRO Regional Committee Meeting concluded on 21 October in Tunis, Tunisia. In his opening address, Dr Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, focussed attention on links between climate change and NCDs, with rising levels of air pollution and environmental neglect across the Region contributing to increased risk of NCDs.

Indeed, NCDs had a high profile throughout the meeting with a dedicated ministerial panel discussion on NCDs in addition to the agenda item on implementation of the UN Political Declaration, and follow-up on the UN Review Meeting. During the panel discussion, Dr Alwan announced a new WHO initiative to address the unopposed marketing of tobacco and unhealthy products in the region. 

Much needed advances for NCDs are being made in the EMRO Region, with WHO extending technical and financial support to four countries to develop multisectoral NCD national action plans, and 19 countries now having directorates or units for NCDs within the Ministry of Health, or equivalent.

Click here for more information on the panel discussion and here to read the paper on Implementation of the UN Political Declaration & follow-up on the UN Review.

Photo courtesy: WHO