The eleventh meeting of the United Nations Interagency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) was hosted by WIPO, Geneva on the 8-9 November 2018. The meeting chaired by WHO and WIPO was attended by 24 UN agencies, programmes, funds and intergovernmental organizations.
The meeting reviewed the strategic directions of the work and future financing for the Task Force. Members agreed to finalize the Task Force’s Strategy 2019-2021 by the end of 2018 that will focus on three priorities: scaling up the Task Force’s country level operations, mobilizing resources and developing partnerships.
The Task Force reviewed progress in its work at country level, including joint follow-up support to countries in implementing recommendations of the UNIATF programming missions and, in particular, developing country-specific NCD investment cases. The Task Force welcomed plans to develop the methodology for mental health and air pollution investment cases.
Task Force members reviewed Task Force’s joint programmes and thematic working groups. Task Force welcomed SAFER – the recently launched new global initiative to support governments in taking practical steps to accelerate progress on health through addressing the harmful use of alcohol jointly developed by WHO, UNDP and several civil society organisations. The Task Force also welcomed the Defeat NCDs Partnership hosted by UNOPS.
Members recognized the success of the 2018 Task Force awards that have been presented to a number of individuals and organizations in recognition of outstanding contribution towards the NCD-related SDGs. It was agreed that a further call for awards would be made in 2019.
The next meeting of the Task Force will be hosted by UNDP in March 2019.