From Commitment to Action: Why the 2025 UNHLM on NCDs is Important for the Eastern Mediterranean Region
By Ibtihal Fadhil | Founder & Chair, Eastern Mediterranean NCD Alliance
The Regional Conference on “Integrating NCD Care in Humanitarian Responses in the Middle East”
Middle East” took place in Amman, Jordan, on May 3-4, 2025. The event was organised through a collaborative partnership between RAHS, the Ministries of Health of Jordan and Lebanon, the American University of Beirut, WHO/EMRO, the Eastern Mediterranean NCD Alliance (EM-NCDA), UNHCR, and UNRWA. WDF and the Novo Nordisk Foundation supported the conference as part of national advocacy initiatives in both Jordan and Lebanon.
As the region prepares for the 4th United Nations High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) in September 2025, this gathering offered a timely opportunity for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) to review its progress, recognise persistent challenges of NCD care, share regional examples and case studies, intersecting barriers to effective NCD care during crises.
Dr. Ibtihal Fadhil, Chair of EM-NCDA, moderated the opening panel on the first day of the conference and presented the latest NCD country progress and accountability data for the region. In her presentation, she discussed regional priorities for the upcoming UNHLM as a pivotal platform for advancing global health diplomacy, reshaping governance structures, and strengthening regional and national NCD priorities.
Further details are outlined below.
Where Do We Stand?
The recently released 2024 NCD Progress Indicators Report paints a mixed picture for the region. While several countries have developed comprehensive NCD strategies, strengthened surveillance systems, and advanced tobacco control, others continue to face difficulties in reducing the rising incidence, delivering quality NCD care services, and enforcing critical public health legislation to reduce NCD risk factors ..
To address these gaps, the Eastern Mediterranean NCD Alliance developed EMR Country Scorecards — practical tools designed to:
- Identify national and regional disparities
- Evaluate actions against evidence-based benchmarks
- Improve funding allocation
- Enhance transparency and accountability
- Accelerate implementation, especially in tobacco control and healthy nutrition.
Because meaningful change is driven by data-informed action, these scorecards have become essential instruments for policymakers and advocates alike.
Emerging Regional Priorities for the 2025 UNHLM
Through extensive consultations, three overarching regional priorities have been identified:
1️. NCD Care in Humanitarian Settings
Conflict-affected areas such as Gaza, Syria, Sudan, and Yemen face heightened challenges in maintaining essential NCD services. Priorities include:
- Integrating NCD care into humanitarian health responses
- Reinforcing fragile health systems
- Ensuring continuity of screening, treatment, and palliative services during crises
2️. Strengthening Health Systems
To deliver effective and equitable NCD care, countries must:
- Address national and sub-national financing gaps
- Leverage telemedicine and digital health technologies
- Expand infrastructure and health workforce capacity
3️. Scaling Up Prevention Efforts
Prevention remains our most powerful tool. Regional governments must:
- Enact stronger tobacco control legislation, including bans on smokeless tobacco products
- Promote healthy diets and responsible nutrition policies
- Foster environments that support active lifestyles
Turning Advocacy into Action
The 2025 UNHLM is not merely a diplomatic gathering — it is an opportunity to secure new political, financial, and operational commitments for NCD prevention and control rooted in accountability and inclusivity.
By uniting governments, civil society, academia, and affected communities, we can transform declarations into measurable actions, improving health outcomes and strengthening resilience across the region.
Now is the time to raise our voices, share evidence, and hold decision-makers accountable. The health and future of our region depend on it.
Interested in joining our advocacy efforts for the 2025 UNHLM?
Connect with the Eastern Mediterranean NCD Alliance to learn how your voice and expertise can shape a healthier, more equitable future for all.
Links
https://www.emrncda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Em_NCDA___Policy_Brief__1750251018.pdf