On May 2, 2025, the United Nations Headquarters in New York hosted the Multistakeholder Hearing (MSH) in preparation for the Fourth United Nations High-Level Meeting (HLM4) on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health. The hearing brought together national governments, UN agencies, civil society, people living with NCDs, youth representatives, and experts from various sectors for dialogue and exchange.

This hearing was part of the preparatory process leading up to HLM4, scheduled for September 2025, and aimed to provide recommendations to UN Member States and other stakeholders for shaping the agenda and forthcoming political declaration.

Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), as a member of the third cycle of the WHO Civil Society Working Group on NCDs (CSWG), participated as part of an international civil society platform on NCDs and mental health. The CSWG, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a consultative body contributing to international policy discourse by advancing civil society advocacy and policy recommendations to strengthen the response to NCDs and mental health challenges.

At the hearing, a consensus statement jointly developed by around 30 CSWG member organizations, including HGPI, was presented. The statement outlines five key pillars for advancing global policy on NCDs and mental health:

1. Enhancing Governance: Ensure inclusive participation of people living with NCDs and mental health conditions in governance and decision-making, while eliminating undue influence from industries harmful to health.
2. Strengthening Health Systems: Advance integrated care based on primary health care principles and embed NCDs and mental health in essential service packages under Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
3. Creating Health-Promoting Environments: Tackle environmental and commercial determinants, including air pollution and unhealthy products, while promoting public health education and reducing stigma.
4. Building Sustainable Financing: Secure sustainable resources through fiscal measures such as taxing harmful products, ensuring alignment with UHC goals.
5. Strengthening Data and Surveillance: Enhance health information systems and accountability mechanisms, ensuring meaningful civil society engagement in monitoring and evaluation.

HGPI’s contribution to the statement included perspectives gained through its work on individual NCDs—such as dementia, mental health, kidney disease, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer—as well as its emphasis on planetary health.

The full consensus statement is available here.

HGPI will continue its collaboration with stakeholders in Japan and globally to support the adoption of a new political declaration at HLM4, reinforcing international commitment and accountability for action on NCDs and mental health.