NCD Alliance CEO Katie Dain has been named co-chair of the civil society working group for the third High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on NCDs, in 2018.

According to the WHO, the working group’s aim is to “advise the Director-General on bold and practical recommendations on mobilising civil society in a meaningful manner to advocate for a highly successful high-level meeting, one which proves to be a tipping point for the NCD and mental health response.”

The other co-chair is Svetlana Axelrod, WHO assistant director-general for NCDs and Mental Health.

“I am pleased to join Svetlana Axelrod as co-chair of the working group,” said Dain. “Civil society engagement throughout this process is crucial for a successful outcome that includes the voices of people living with NCDs and to hold governments to account.”

“Civil society engagement throughout this process is crucial for a successful outcome that includes the voices of people living with NCDs and to hold governments to account." - NCDA CEO Katie Dain

“We will continue to call for a high-level meeting in September 2018 and an inclusive preparatory process that includes a civil society hearing prior to the HLM,” she said.

NCDs kill 15 million people between the ages of 30 and 69 each year. NCDs particularly affect low- and lower-middle income countries, where almost 50% of premature deaths from these conditions occur.

In 2015, world leaders committed to reduce premature deaths from NCDs by one-third by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Recent WHO reports indicate that the world will struggle to meet that target based on the current rate of change and action.

Read the WHO announcement

Working Group Terms of Reference

List of Working Group members