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Remarks by the President of the UN General Assembly,

H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang

Interactive multistakeholder hearing as part of the preparatory process for the fourth high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the prevention and control of
noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and the promotion of mental health and well-being

2 May 2025, Trusteeship Council

[As Delivered]

 

 

Excellencies,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

I welcome you all to today’s multistakeholder hearing on the control and prevention of non-communicable diseases, and the promotion of mental health.

 

This is a timely and topical discussion.

 

Let us recall that every two seconds, someone under the age of 70 dies from a non-communicable disease.

 

Over 43 million people perished in 2021 alone.

 

Indeed, non-communicable diseases accounted for 75 per cent of the non-pandemic-related deaths that year.

 

While progress has been made since the General Assembly adopted the last political declaration in 2018, we are nonetheless lagging behind.

 

As of 2023, only 54 per cent of Member States had set national targets.

 

Only 40 per cent of Member States had both targets and an operational policy to deliver action.

 

Clearly, we must reverse these trends.

 

Non-communicable diseases are entirely preventable – and controllable – through strong policies, action and the right investments.

 

This is especially important for addressing risk factors such as tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and air pollution.

 

Excellencies,

 

Today’s discussion should build on the momentum generated by the Pact for the Future.

 

Indeed, the Pact for the Future reaffirms the right of every individual to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

 

It calls for strengthened and resilient health systems in all countries of the world.

 

And it champions efforts to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being of present and future generations.

 

Now is the time to deliver on these objectives.

 

To succeed, we need the engagement of all stakeholders, but most importantly from individuals at risk of, and affected by, non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions.  

 

I urge all participants here today to make full use of this important hearing.

 

It is a prime opportunity to identify challenges.

 

And to propose bold solutions.

 

As we look ahead to deliberations of the political declaration, it is imperative that we scale up sustainable financing from all sources.

 

 That we ensure adequate investments to strengthen health systems and primary healthcare.

 

And that we tackle the social, economic, environmental and commercial determinants of health.

 

We must ensure the highest standard of health for all people – not as a luxury for some, but a right for everyone, everywhere.

 

Excellencies,

 

And I thank you, the stakeholders, for sharing your important perspectives today.

 

Your perspectives will be critical as we prepare for the fourth high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being, on 25th September 2025.

 

Together, we must stop the march of these silent killers.

 

I look forward to your valuable contributions and wish you all fruitful deliberations.

 

Thank you.

 

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Media Contacts

 

Sharon Birch, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, Tel: +1 212 963 0564, M: +1 646 342 5873, Email: birchs@un.org

Dr. Mariam Shaikh, Adviser/ Social and Digital Media/Media Relations, M: +1 917 3614990, Email: mariam.shaikh@un.org