It is truly regretful that a couple of governments did not join the majority who chose to endorse the UN’s Political Declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, particularly on critical issues like gender and taxation, which is one of the most effective measures to curb NCDs.
At the same time, we are encouraged by the resounding support from major groups and most Member States, including the Group of 77, the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council. This support is particularly crucial as the Declaration includes firm and actionable targets. We commend countries such as Portugal and Angola for implementing taxation on harmful commodities and deciding to earmark this additional revenue to strengthen their health systems, as well as the actions being taken by others to reduce emissions and call out harmful commercial practices.
“The global commitment to addressing NCDs is marking a milestone with majority support and the World Heart Federation is committed to supporting Member States in developing effective policies to manage and reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease. WHF will continue to work with partners and stakeholders to apply knowledge and research and implement tools that stop heart disease from claiming the most lives so unnecessarily” – Finn Jarle Rode, CEO of the World Heart Federation
