The WHO Regional Committees are an important forum for Member States to discuss elements of the global NCD Framework and contribute to the on-going post-2015 discussions. With significant milestones achieved at the 67th World Health Assembly, including adoption of the action plan indicators for NCDs, and resolutions spanning health in post-2015, palliative care and disability.

The Regional Committees will be the opportunity to discuss the adaption of these key decisions to the regional and national levels. A summary of agenda items relating to NCDs and enagement with non-state actors is available here.

During the Regional Committee meetings, The NCD Alliance is coordinating representation to ensure a strong civil society voice is present on any discussions on NCDs, and is producing statements to be delivered. The NCD Alliance briefing paper on NCDs is available here.

 

Regional Committee Meeting Dates

SEARO Regional Meeting, Dhaka, Bangladesh | 10-12 September | More information

EURO Regional Meeting, Copenhagen, Denmark | 15-18 September | More information

PAHO Regional Meeting, Washington, DC | 29 September - 3 October | More information

WPRO Regional Meeting, Manila, Philippines | 13-17 October | More information

EMRO Regional Meeting, Tunis, Tunisia | 19-22 October | More information

AFRO Regional Meeting, Cotonou, Republic of Benin | 3-7 November | More information

 

Highlights of each meeting are listed below, and a detailed summary can be found in the documents box on the left of this page.

 

SEARO Regional Meeting Updates

The meeting opened with the SEARO Regional Director referencing the growing threat of NCDs to people, health systems and economy. In addition, Dr Margaret Chan re-emphasised the necessity for collaboration with government health ministries beyond the health sector; the UNICEF representative noted the importance of addressing NCDs in early life, and the ILO representative referred to the connections between a healthy workforce and a healthy economy. 

There was a number of key NCD related outcomes:

• The Progress Report on the Regional Action Plan and Targets for Prevention and Control of NCDs (2013–2020) was noted
• SEARO Action Plan to implement Global Strategy to Reduce Harmful Use of Alcohol (2014-2025) was endorsed
• A resolution passed to strengthen health force education and training
• Regional Strategy to Strengthen Role of the Health Sector in Improving Civil Registration and Vital Statistics was endorsed, offering improved data for NCD advocacy
• With regard to WHO engagement with non-state actors, a chief concern of the committee was that the integrity and neutrality of WHO should not be compromised.

The NCD Alliance delivered a joint statement with UICC at the meeting, which is available here. Press releases and photographs from the meeting are available here.

 

EURO Regional Meeting Updates

In her opening speech, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark specifically noted NCDs as a key health priority for the post-2015 development agenda

In addition,

• The European Food and Nutrition Plan 2015-2020 was adopted
• The Ashgabat Declaration on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases in the Context of Health 2020 was endorsed
• More generally it was noted that there is a need to address inequality – not only between countries, but within both developing and affluent Member States.

The NCD Alliance submitted a statement on NCDs, which was supported and delivered by the International Federation of Medical Student Associations, and can be viewed here. The Statement made by Alzheimer's Disease International can be viewed here.

 

PAHO Regional Meeting Updates

The following outcomes resulted from the PAHO Regional Meeting:

• Strategy for Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage was adopted
• Plan of Action for the Prevention of Obesity in Children and Adolescents was endorsed
• Plan of Action on Disabilities and Rehabilitation was approved
• Regional Plan of Action on Mental Health was adopted

A statement on behalf of the NCD Alliance was delivered by Alzheimer's Disease International.

 

WPRO Regional Meeting Updates

• The Regional Action Plan for the Tobacco Free Initiative in the Western Pacific (2015–2019) was endorsed
• The Regional Agenda for Implementing the Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2020 was endorsed (Annexe 1 of the linked document)

The International Diabetes Federation delivered a statement on behalf of the NCD Alliance.

 

EMRO Regional Meeting Updates

In his opening address, Regional Director Dr Ala Alwan 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. 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 commitments made at the UN High Level Meetings in September 2011 and July 2014.  

• During the panel discussion, Dr Alwan announced a new WHO initiative to address the unopposed marketing of tobacco and unhealthy products in the region

A statement by the World Heart Federation on behalf of the NCD Alliance was circulated at the meeting.

 

AFRO Regional Meeting Updates

• Dr Matshidiso Moeti of Botswana was nominated new Regional Director for Africa
• There was no NCD specific agenda item, however NCDs were covered in the Biennial Report of the Regional Director on the Work of WHO in the Region

Photo: Dr Margaret Chan speaking at WHO SEARO Meeting. Credit: WHO