20 July 2025
Ahead of the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health, efforts are intensifying to transform global dialogue into actionable financing strategies. The meeting, scheduled for September 25, 2025, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, will bring together Heads of State, civil society, academia, philanthropies, and private sector representatives to commit to accelerated action on NCDs and mental health. The registration deadline for participation is August 8, 2025, underscoring the urgency for stakeholders to engage early in preparations.
Key Themes and Goals
Financing Integration:
Central to the meeting's agenda is identifying and implementing sustainable financing mechanisms for both NCDs and mental health. The focus is on moving beyond discussion to securing concrete financial commitments that support long-term action.
Country-Led Initiatives:
Success stories from nations such as Barbados, Norway, and Spain highlight effective national strategies for financing NCD care. These examples serve as replicable models demonstrating practical pathways for other countries.
Strengthening Health Systems:
There is a concerted push to integrate NCD and mental health services into broader health system designs, particularly through primary care. This approach ensures comprehensive and coordinated care rather than fragmented, siloed interventions.
Addressing Critical Gaps:
The dialogues aim to confront challenges including the commercial determinants of health, the climate crisis, gaps in accountability, and the expansion of care in humanitarian and conflict-affected settings.
Youth and Vulnerable Groups:
Special attention is being paid to low investment in youth mental health and the need to scale up community-based and human rights-focused services to better support vulnerable populations.
Key Events and Initiatives
Side Events and Dialogues:
Multiple side events and official dialogue sessions, such as the "Equity and Integration" event at the World Health Assembly and WHO-led financing discussions, are fostering cross-sectoral learning and accelerating momentum.
Focus on Policy and Data:
New data and insights are being shared to inform policy development and facilitate the scaling-up of successful country initiatives.
Advocacy by Key Stakeholders:
Organisations including the NCD Alliance and United for Global Mental Health are at the forefront of advocacy, pushing for progress on key resolutions and thematic discussions ahead of the meeting.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting
The 2025 meeting on September 25 represents a landmark opportunity to secure increased political commitment and investment in the prevention and care of NCDs and mental health worldwide. The goal is to translate preparatory dialogues and evidence into a strong political declaration that will guide global health policy through 2030 and beyond. With the registration deadline on August 8, stakeholders are encouraged to engage promptly to help shape this pivotal moment for global health equity and integrated care.
This meeting signals a critical juncture for fostering more inclusive, sustainable, and impactful responses to NCDs and mental health challenges globally, emphasizing equity, integration, and leadership.
