– As delivered –

[translated from Spanish]

Statement by H.E. Mrs. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly

27 September 2018

Closing of the High Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases

Heads of State and Government,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you, again, for participating in this High-Level Meeting on the need to collectively address non-communicable diseases.

We had a rich discussion, which I believe reinforces the Political Declaration we approved earlier today.

The compelling takeaways include the following:

–           According to a recent study in the Lancet, more than half of all countries are not on track to meet SDG 3.4 on NCD mortality.

–           However, on a more encouraging note: WHO has put together a set of 16 practical interventions that are cost-effective and feasible for all countries. These address tobacco and alcohol use, reducing salt, sugar and fat in our diets, increased vaccinations for girls, and treating hypertension and diabetes, amongst other things.

–           My friends, as stated by Dr. Tedros, these measures could not only prevent nearly 10 million deaths by 2025, but also could generate $350 billion in economic gains.

Excellencies,

We have heard much today that should stir us into action. The shocking fact that NCDs are responsible for 71% of all deaths worldwide should compel us to act with resolve.

In my capacity as President, I will work with the General Assembly to draw attention to the actions that Member States must take to implement the goals and targets in the Declaration. I will also lead the General Assembly, along with the UN System, the private sector, research institutions, civil society and health groups, to mobilize international cooperation and support countries to meet their goals.

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Excellencies,

And we all have our part to play. It is my hope that when we meet again to review progress in achieving the goals we have set ourselves, we can say that we did everything we could to tackle “one of the major challenges for development in the 21st century”, to quote the Declaration.

After two days of intense and fruitful work on health issues, with the two consecutive high-level meetings, I am sure that we will move forward in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal on Health and Wellbeing as well as the whole 2030 Agenda.

I am counting on the active participation of all of you in the preparations for the General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage to take place  next year.

I thank you.

Read original speech in Spanish