First Meeting of UN Funds, Programmes and Agencies on the Implementation of the Political Declaration of the High level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of NCDs (New York, 8 December 2011) DISCUSSION PAPER Recommendations for a common UN System wide agenda on NCDs 1. This discussion paper proposes recommended actions that could be included in a coordinated common UN System wide agenda on NCDs. Suggested actions include: Integrate NCDs into UNDAF processes Develop joint programmes Include NCDs in discussions on the post 2015 UN development agenda Contribute to the development of policy options for strengthening multisectoral action through effective partnerships Contribute to the development of an updated/follow up global Action Plan of the Global Strategy on the Prevention and Control of NCDs (2013 2018) Contribute to the development of a comprehensive global monitoring framework and targets for NCDs, building on the work under way at WHO Integrate NCDs into UNDAF programming process and roll outs 2. Following on from the adoption of the Political Declaration on NCDs, partner countries increasingly expect WHO and other UN agencies to provide them with worldclass policy advice and capacity development assistance, tailored to local circumstances, to integrate NCDs into the health planning processes and the national development agenda. The Political Declaration on NCDs commits governments to "strengthen and integrate, as appropriate, NCD policies and programmes into health planning processes and the national development agenda of each [developing] Member State" (paragraph 45(a)). 3. The opportunities to include NCDs in UNDAF programming are also increasingly being recognized at international fora. For example, the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control during its fourth session in Punta del Este, Uruguay (15 20 November 2010), decided to "encourage country Parties and Parties with economies in transition to utilize the opportunities for assistance under the UNDAFs" to strengthen implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in developing countries. 4. To meet these expectations, UN Country Teams will need to review their current capacity mix, match it with these new expectations, and make changes were needed, as Page 1 of 7
part of UNDG's wider drive to improving the quality of the 90 UNDAFs being rolled out between 2010 and 2012. WHO Country Representatives stand ready to provide guidance to UN Country Teams to develop high quality UNDAFs in support of national priorities that include NCDs. Recommendations for next steps include: In depth review of existing and planned UNDAFs High level Meeting with UNDG Regional Teams, WHO and other UN agencies to develop guidance on including NCDs in the UNDAF programming process Training of UN Country Teams where UNDAFs are scheduled to be developed in 2012 and 2013 on the developmental aspects of NCDs Collaboration with the UN System Staff College to include training on the developmental aspects of NCDs in the curriculum for UN Resident Coordinators WHO Network of Experienced NCD Professionals made available to UN Country Teams Develop joint programmes 5. The Political Declaration on NCDs reaffirms the leadership and coordination role of WHO in promoting global action against NCDs in relation to the work of other UN agencies, development banks, and other international organizations in addressing NCDs in a coordinated manner (paragraph 13). It calls on UN agencies to work together in a coordinated manner to support national efforts to prevent and control NCDs and mitigate their impacts (51), and urges UN agencies to provide technical assistance and capacity building to developing countries, especially the least developed countries, in the areas of NCD prevention and control (52). 6. To scale up technical assistance and capacity building to developing countries, WHO is suggesting to explore the possibilities of developing joint programmes as a next step in areas where there are clear gains in effectiveness and efficiency from combining efforts in a common work plan and budget. The following table includes examples of areas for potential joint programmes. which may be discussed and prioritized during the inter agency meeting on 8 December 2011. UN agency UNDP UNDESA Possible area of collaboration (for discussion) Including NCDs in poverty reduction strategies Including NCDs in UNDAF programming and roll outs Including NCDs in discussions on the post 2015 UN development agenda Growing national capacities to address NCDs Including NCDs in discussions on the post 2015 UN development agenda Participation of UNDESA's Population Division and Statistics Division in the development of the global monitoring framework Page 2 of 7
UNFPA UN HABITAT UNICEF UNRWA WFP World Bank UNAIDS UN Regional Commissions IAEA ILO ITU FAO WTO and targets Strengthen national capacities to include NCDs in reproductive health programmes and prevention of breast and cervical cancers Rapid urbanization as an underlying driver to the rapidly increasing NCD epidemic Strengthen national capacities to reduce risk factors among children and adolescents Strengthen national capacities to address malnutrition Health services for Palestine refugees School meals Food for assets Include NCDs in discussions on health, nutrition and population Increase the support given to NCDs in World Bank's project portfolio, including health systems strengthening Strengthen chronic care for NCDs and HIV as part of health systems strengthening Learning from experiences in access to medicines Include NCDs in statistical reports Conduct national and regional studies on the socio ecnomic impact of NCDs Scale up technical assistance to strengthen national cancer control strategies in developing countries Including NCDs in labour standards and wellness in the workplace Promote the use of ICTs to improve programme implementation in the field of NCDs Align agricultural, trade and health policies Strenghten national capacities to address obesity and malnutrition Trade policies and NCDs Include NCDs in discussions on the post 2015 UN development agenda 7. The Secretary General has initiated steps within the UN system to launch the substantive process that will lead to the definition of a UN development agenda post 2015. The Secretary General has requested that a UN Task Team be appointed in January 2012, composed of substantive staff from DESA and UNDP, supported by the full system, to propose a unified vision and a road map for the definition of a UN development agenda post 2015, in consultation with all stakeholders, by the end of March 2012. 8. In March 2012, the Secretary General will appoint a High level Panel of Eminent Persons to advise on practical measures to overcome the global development challenges Page 3 of 7
hindering the achievement of the MDGs and other development objectives. The Panel would be expected to deliver their report by February 2013. 9. The meeting on 8 December 2011 aims to expolore views on how the NCD development agenda can be integrated into these discussions. Contribute to the development of policy options for strengthening multisectoral action through effective partnerships 10. The Political Declaration on NCDs request the Secretary General, in close collaboration with the Director General of WHO, and in consultations with Member States, United Nations funds and programmes and other relevant international organizations, to submit by the end of 2012 to the General Assembly, at its sixty seventh session, for consideration by Member States, options for strengthening and facilitating multisectoral action for the prevention and control of NCDs through effective partnership (paragraph 64) 11. In planning to implement this operative paragraph, it is important to review and analyse the current knowledge and experience in relation to: Effective approaches for strengthening multisectoral action for NCDs; Lessons learned from existing multisectoral partnerships at all levels. 12. Based on the outcomes of the review, WHO will develop criteria and options for strengthening multisectoral action for NCDs through effective partnership, in close consultation with UN funds, programmes and agencies, as well as Member States. These criteria and options will serve as an input to the report of the Secretary General to the General Assembly. 13. Accordingly, WHO is proposing the following indicative timeframe: January 2012: WHO will develop two discussion papers available: Strengthening and facilitating multisectoral action for the prevention and control of NCDs. Evidence and outcomes of existing partnerships to promote multisectoral action. February 2012: Meeting of the NCDnet International Advisory Council to review a work plan to revitalize NCDnet and to establish a working group to provide advice on policy options for strengthening and facilitating multisectoral action for the prevention and control of NCDs through effective partnership. 29 February 2 March 2012: Global Consultation with Member States and UN funds, programmes and agencies on the implementation of the Political Declaration of the High level Meeting on NCDs (which will include consultations on options for strengthening and facilitating multisectoral action for the prevention and control of NCDs through effective partnership, based on a discussion paper). Page 4 of 7
April/July 2012: Informal consultations with Member States, UN funds and programmes and other relevant international organizations, as appropriate. August 2012: WHO will submit a final report to the Office of the Secretary General, which will serve as an input to the UN Secretary General's paper on options for strengthening and facilitating multisectoral action for the prevention and control of NCDs through effective partnership, to be submitted by the end of 2012 to the General Assembly for consideration by Member States. 14. UN funds, programmes and agencies are invited to engage in the consultations. Advice on the process and suggestions on existing sources of experience and guidance will be explored on 8 December 2011. Contribute to the development of an updated/follow up global Action Plan of the Global Strategy on the Prevention and Control of NCDs (2013 2018), based on the Political Declaration on NCDs. 15. The cornerstone of the global response to NCDs is the Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of NCDs, which was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in May 2000. In 2008, the Action Plan for the Global Strategy covering the period 2008 2013 was endorsed by the World Health Assembly. A first report providing an overview of implementing the Action Plan between 2008 2009 was submitted to the World Health Assembly in May 2010. A second progress report covering 2010 2011 will be submitted to the Executive Board in January 2012. 16. In May 2011, the World Health Assembly requested the Secretariat to develop, together with Member States and UN funds, programmes and agencies, an implementation and follow up plan for the outcomes of the HLM, including its financial implications, for submission to the Executive Board in January 2012. 17. In this regard, WHO will develop the corresponding Action Plan covering the period 2013 2018 during the first half of 2012. The Action Plan will be based on the latest scientific knowledge, available evidence and a review of international experience and progress in Member States, using the 2010 WHO Global Survey on Assessment of National Capacity for NCD Prevention and Control and in depth regional consultations. In this regard, the GPG approved the following indicative timeframe: February June 2012: Six regional consultations (dates to be determined by the WHO Regional Offices); June 2012: WHO will publish a (first) draft follow up action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs for a web based consultation with Member States; June 2012: Web based consultation of above mentioned discussion paper; July 2012 (Geneva): Informal dialogue with NGOs on a draft follow up action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs; Page 5 of 7
July 2012 (Geneva): Informal dialogue with the private sector on a draft follow up action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs; July 2012 (Geneva): Consultation with UN funds, programmes and agencies on a draft follow up action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs; July 2012 (Geneva): Global Informal Consultation of WHO Member States on a draft follow up action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs; October 2012: WHO will finalize the draft Action Plan; January 2013: Discussions at the Executive Board on the follow up action plan; May 2013: Discussions at the World Health Assembly on the follow up action plan. Because of the multisectoral nature of the Global Action Plan and the emphasis on the socioeconomic challenges of NCDs, UN agencies and programmes will be actively involved in the process. Contribute to the development of a comprehensive global monitoring framework and targets for NCDs, building on the work under way at WHO 18. The Political Declaration calls on WHO, and in collaboration with United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, building on continuing efforts, to develop before the end of 2012, (i) a comprehensive global monitoring framework to monitor trends and to assess progress made in the implementation of national strategies and plans on NCDs (paragraph 61); and (ii) recommendations for a set of voluntary global targets for the prevention and control of NCDs (paragraph 62) 19. According to the Political Declaration, the global monitoring framework and the recommended set of voluntary global targets: Will have to be developed with full participation of Member States and in collaboration with other parts of the UN System and relevant international organizations; Should build on existing WHO work; Should be applicable across regional and country settings; Should be submitted to the WHO Governing Bodies in 2012. 20. The following indicative timeframe has been established: November/December 2011: Meetings of the WHO Technical Working Group on NCD Targets to further review and address the comments received from Member States during the web based consultation in July 2011 on the recommendations for targets to monitor progress in reducing the burden of NCDs. 15 December 2011: Informal dialogue with relevant NGOs on a global monitoring framework and recommendations on a set of voluntary global targets for NCDs. January 2012: WHO will publish the following discussion paper(s) for a web based consultation with Member States: Page 6 of 7
Comprehensive global monitoring framework, including a set of indicators, capable of application across regional and country settings, including through multisectoral approaches, to monitor trends and to assess progress made in the implementation of national strategies and plans on NCDs Recommendations for a set of voluntary global targets for the prevention and control of NCDs 9 10 January 2012: Global Consultation with Member States and UN funds, programmes and agencies on a global monitoring framework and recommendations for a set of voluntary targets for NCDs. 29 February 2 March 2012: Global Consultation with Member States and UN funds, programmes and agencies on the implementation of the Political Declaration of the High level Meeting on NCDs (which will include consultations on a global monitoring framework and recommendations for a set of voluntary global targets, based on updated discussion papers). 21 26 May 2012: Discussions at the 65 th World Health Assembly and possible endorsement. 21. Based on the Political Declaration, UN funds, programmes and agencies are invited to engage in the consultations. ooo000ooo Page 7 of 7