The key decisions in the resolution are:
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- To endorse the WHO global action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs 2013–2020;
- To adopt the global monitoring framework on NCDs, including the 9 global targets and 25 indicators;
- To develop a global coordination mechanism by the end of 2013 to coordinate activities and promote engagement of all actors in the global NCD response.
The importance of these three decisions should not be underestimated. As WHO Assistant-Director General, Dr Oleg Chestnov stated at WHA, "the adoption of the global action plan moves the process from the political to the practical realm". With the adoption of the global monitoring framework and the ambitious 9 global targets and 25 indicators, for the first time all governments are accountable for progress on NCDs. And the global coordination mechanism will provide a vehicle to convene and mobilise relevant actors (including multilateral and bilateral agencies, governments, NGOs, and the private sector where appropriate) to accelerate progress on NCDs.
It was thanks to the initiative of Australia, Canada, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Russian Federation, Singapore and the USA that these landmark decisions for NCDs were secured this week. After an intense week of negotiations, the resolution was co-sponsored by an impressive 41 countries and unanimously adopted by all countries, reinforcing the growing political commitment on NCDs across all regions.
These achievements are the outcome of lengthy and complex consultations, many of which were initiated in 2011 as follow-up the UN Summit on NCDs. With the NCD Alliance and its global network, The Union has been engaged every step of the way. These efforts, especially in the lead up to WHA, helped make the way for these bold decisions, and the undaunted efforts of the NCD advocates in Geneva this week to keep pushing right to the last moment played a critical part.
In addition, the resolution encompasses additional notable recommendations and outlines a number of follow-up processes mandated to WHO, including:
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- to develop the terms of reference for the global coordination mechanism through informal consultations with Member States, UN agencies, NGOs and relevant private sector, followed by a formal Member State consultation in November 2013;
- to develop action plan indicators to inform progress reporting on NCDs and are capable of application across the six objectives of the action plan, to be submitted to WHA in 2014, through the Executive Board for approval;
- to update Appendix 3 of the global action plan in light of new scientific evidence, to be considered by the World Health Assembly through the Executive Board;
- to report on progress in implementing the action plan in 2016, 2018 and 2021, and on progress achieved in attaining the 9 global targets in 2016, 2021. 2026;
- to provide technical support to Member States to implement the global action plan, establish or strengthen national surveillance, and engage/cooperate with non-health government sectors and non-state actors;
- to recommend the formalisation of a United Nations Task Force on NCDs in July 2013 to intensify a joint UN response and to galvanise global support for NCDs.
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This is still an unfolding story, but it is a great victory for public health and sets the foundation for accelerated global and national action to reduce preventable NCD deaths and save millions of lives.
For the complete documents and latest updates, please go to http://www.ncdalliance.org/wha66