Organizers: The UN NCD Task Force Nutrition Working Group: WHO, IDLO, UNDP, and UN-Nutrition. 

Background: 

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for over 43 million deaths annually, with 18 million of these occurring prematurely before the age of 70. Unhealthy diets are a leading risk factor for many of these diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Obesity has reached alarming levels worldwide, affecting more than 1 in 8 people.

Given the multisectoral nature of both NCDs and unhealthy diets, a coordinated and unified response across the UN system is essential. The UN Inter-Agency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of NCDs brings together 46 UN entities to support governments in implementing actions aligned with the NCD-related Sustainable Development Goals. In 2017, the Task Force established the UN Interagency Working Group on Nutrition and NCDs as a platform for fostering dialogue, policy alignment, and coherence across the UN system.  

This session will showcase joint UN efforts to reduce the global burden of NCDs through healthier diets and improved nutrition, highlighting concrete country examples and collaborative action.

Expected results: 

• Greater awareness on the growing burden of obesity and diet-related NCDs and the need for coordinated multisectoral efforts to ensure impactful and sustainable progress on healthy diets and nutrition.  
• Enhanced visibility of joint UN support to countries in implementing diet-related NCD strategies, featuring examples of interagency collaboration.
• Insights and recommendations from country representatives, UN Agencies, and other stakeholders to strengthen joint UN support tailored to country needs, and to enhance the integration of nutrition in national NCD responses.

Event language: English

Tentative agenda: 

11:00 Welcome address by the Moderator, Anna Horner, UN-Nutrition Senior Coordinator

11:05 Opening remarks by Scott Chiossi, UN NCD Task Force Secretariat

11:10 Setting the scene: the need to stop obesity by Luz Maria de Regil, WHO Director of Nutrition and Food Safety

11:25 Enabling environments for policy and regulations by Giulia Zevi (IDLO) and Kathryn Robertson (WHO) 

11:40 The nutrition investment case by Emily Roberts, UNDP

12:05. Video message from the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, offering insights on rights-based approaches to tacking diet-related NCDs.  

12:10. Closing remarks by UN-Nutrition Chair, IAEA Deputy Director General, Najat Mokhtar.