More than 200 civil society organisations sign the Sharjah Declaration committing to call on governments, the United Nations and the business sector to do all that they can to reverse the NCD epidemic.
Today, on the final day of the inaugural Global NCD Alliance Forum, more than 200 civil society organisations from 40 nations signed the Sharjah Declaration. They committed to work together to continue their impactful advocacy - and to accelerate action, increase accountability, and monitor progress in their fight against non-communicable diseases.
José Luis Castro, The Union’s Executive Director and Chair of the NCD Alliance, said:
“Over the last two days we recognised the indispensable, central role that the entire NCD civil society movement will now play in maximising the inclusion of NCDs in the sustainable development goals.
“We recognised that building alliances among ourselves will make us infinitely stronger and more effective. And we have deepened and broadened those alliances.
“We have charted our Alliance’s direction as we move towards our vision for the world’s future - a healthy, sustainable future free from the preventable suffering, disability and death of NCDs.
“And we leave the Forum with something to build and grow upon even further - something to guide us through the rigors and challenges that surely lie ahead - the Sharjah Declaration.
“This Declaration is our roadmap for advocacy, our inspiration to be as effective and energetic as humanly possible.
“We call on governments, the United Nations and the business sector to do all that they can and must. Because no one sector alone will reverse the NCD epidemic.
“And we declare, that by ‘working together we have the tremendous opportunity to chart a new course toward health and sustainable human development, for a more equitable and healthier future for all.’”
The Forum was attended by more than 200 delegates, including national and regional NCD Alliance representatives, global health experts and recognised NCD champions, patient advocates, international NGOs, government representatives, NCD Alliance Steering Group members and supporters.
Her Highness, Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, and Founder and Patron of Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), is Patron of the Global NCD Alliance Forum.
Learn more about the NCD Alliance.