WHA78: Member States highlight the crucial role of the GCM/NCD in driving multisectoral and multistakeholder action on NCDs

At the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly (WHA78), Member States acknowledged the independent mid-term evaluation of the WHO Global Coordination Mechanism on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (GCM/NCD) under agenda item 12. The mid-term evaluation was discussed alongside follow-up to the political declaration of the third High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on NCDs.

The mid-term evaluation assessed the GCM’s operating model and its implementation of the 2022–2025 workplan. The evaluation report highlights that the GCM/NCD is well-positioned to address emerging NCD challenges and has made substantial contributions to advancing multisectoral and multistakeholder collaboration towards achieving NCD targets and SDG 3 at global, regional and national levels. Recommendations include, among others, expanding engagement with non-health sectors and the private sector, enhancing regional and national engagement through targeted capacity-building, and improving accessibility and tailoring of GCM/NCD resources for local contexts. 

Knowledge

Mid-term Evaluation of the WHO Global Coordination Mechanism on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases: report

Member States commended the past impact and success of the GCM/NCD, and noted the Mechanism’s continued relevance in advancing multisectoral action, facilitating knowledge collaboration across different stakeholders, and strengthening meaningful engagement of people with lived experience. 

Representatives from several Member States highlighted their countries’ continued commitment to addressing the growing burden of NCDs and mental health conditions through whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches.They also reaffirmed the GCM/NCDs unique position as a WHO-platform enabling multistakeholder dialogue and collaboration, connecting civil society, academia, and people with lived experience, the private sector, and other partners.  

Key priorities from Member States interventions included:

• Continued and sustained multisectoral action through guidance for systematic engagement with sectors beyond health, including labour, finance, education, and environment, particularly in view of addressing the commercial, social, and environmental determinants of NCD;
• Scaling implementation at country-level, through translation and adaptation of GCM/NCD guidance and technical tools, such as the tool for informed decision-making on engaging with private sector entities, or WHO lived experience framework;
• Enhancing knowledge collaboration, showcasing country experience, and amplifying the voices of communities most affected by NCDs particularly though the Knowledge Action Portal on NCDs; and
• Strengthening accountability and alignment, through improved monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and stronger coordination across WHO departments and existing platforms to ensure coherent and accountable delivery;

The WHO Secretariat has issued a management response to the mid-Term evaluation of the GCM/NCD.

Findings from the evaluation and Member State feedback will form the basis for developing the GCM/NCDS 2026–2030 workplan, which will be guided further by the outcomes of the Fourth High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on the prevention and control of NCDs and the promotion of mental health and wellbeing (HLM4).