Turning Political Commitments into Measurable Action: Advancing the New Global Targets on NCDs

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) remain the leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for an estimated 43 million deaths each year and around 75% of all global deaths. While proven and cost-effective solutions exist, progress to prevent and control NCDs remains uneven and too slow in many countries.

The 2025 United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs marked a renewed opportunity for governments to strengthen their commitment to tackling NCDs through a new Political Declaration. The meeting followed sustained advocacy from civil society and the global health community, including the NCD Alliance’s “Call to Lead on NCDs”, which urged governments to mobilise investment, accelerate implementation and deliver accountability – and the World Heart Federation’s five key asks, asking governments to treat 500 million more people with hypertension by 2030, strengthen fiscal policies, address air pollution, tackle health inequities, and accelerate reductions in NCD mortality.

The Declaration emphasises the importance of moving beyond global commitments to accelerated action, and sets out key priorities and fast-track targets, reaching 150 million people with hypertension treatment and reducing tobacco use among 150 million people worldwide. At the same time, some areas saw reduced ambition during the negotiations. For example, measures on fiscal policies such as health taxes on unhealthy products were scaled back compared with earlier proposals in the zero draft.

As countries move from global commitments to national implementation, the focus must now shift to accountability, investment, and measurable results. This closing plenary of the World Heart Summit will explore the next phase of the global NCD response: how countries and partners, including governments, civil society and other stakeholders, can translate the 2025 Political Declaration into concrete national action to save and improve the lives of people living with NCDs.