Introduction
From 13 to 15 December 2022, a significant gathering of global and regional stakeholders and experts took place in Cairo, Egypt. The purpose of the meeting was to address the integration of noncommunicable disease (NCD) care in emergency preparedness and response. This event marked the first in a series of meetings leading up to the 4th High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of NCDs in 2025. The purpose of this upcoming meeting is to adopt a new, ambitious and evidence-based Political Declaration on NCDs, which would serve as a roadmap for global NCD response between 2025 and 2030. Organized by the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health at the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean and WHO headquarters, in collaboration with the Departments of Health Systems and Health Emergencies, the meeting addressed critical issues and fostered international cooperation.
Day 1: High-Level Global Meeting
The 3-day meeting began with a high-level global meeting on 13 December 2022. Participants engaged in strategic discussions on strengthening the integration of NCD care in emergency preparedness, response and recovery. The aim was to lay the foundation for the subsequent regional meeting and set the tone for the discussions to follow.
Days 2 and 3: Regional Meeting
The regional meeting, held on 14 and 15 December 2022, focused on regional challenges and opportunities. Key topics included prioritizing interventions for strengthening NCD care in emergency preparedness, response and recovery; lessons learned from COVID-19 and other pandemics; and sharing country experiences. The discussions aimed to identify challenges, explore opportunities and recommend action steps to enhance the integration of NCD care in emergency situations.
Purpose
The meeting aimed to draw on the recommendations adopted during the 75th session of the World Health Assembly, which focused on strengthening policies for treating people living with NCDs and controlling their risk factors in humanitarian emergencies. By contributing to the NCD implementation roadmap 2023–2030, the meeting aimed to build political momentum and develop a comprehensive approach to integrating NCDs into emergency preparedness and response plans.
Objectives
- Strengthening integration. Present WHO efforts to enhance the integration of NCDs in emergency preparedness and response.
- Reviewing responses. Assess current NCD-related responses in countries during the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies.
- Strategic approach. Recommend a strategic approach to improve WHO technical assistance to countries across preparedness, response and recovery phases.
- Global kick-off. Serve as a global kick-off to regional technical meetings leading up to a global high-level meeting in 2023.
Outcomes
The meeting produced tailored recommendations to countries, WHO and international partners. These recommendations aimed to be included in country COVID-19 response plans as well as other humanitarian response and recovery plans. The goal was to strengthen policies, programmes and services for the treatment, prevention and control of NCDs and their related risk factors for people living with NCDs.
Format
The meeting offered both virtual participation and in-person attendance in Cairo. The event spanned three days, with a global segment on 13 December 2022, followed by the regional meeting from 14 to 15 December 2022. Participants had the flexibility to choose their preferred mode of engagement.
Language
English was the working language of the meeting, with Arabic interpretation provided during the plenary sessions to ensure inclusivity and effective communication among attendees.
Conclusion
The WHO Global and Regional Technical Meeting on Addressing NCDs in Emergencies held in Cairo, Egypt marked a significant milestone in integrating NCD care into emergency preparedness and response efforts. It served as the first step towards the 4th High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on NCDs in 2025. The meeting successfully addressed critical issues, fostered international cooperation and laid the groundwork for discussions on strengthening the integration of NCD care in emergencies. Participants explored regional challenges, prioritized interventions and shared experiences to enhance the integration of NCD care. Aligned with World Health Assembly recommendations, the meeting aimed to develop a comprehensive approach for integrating NCDs into emergency plans. It presented WHO efforts, reviewed NCD responses during the COVID-19 pandemic, recommended a strategic approach and acted as a global kick-off for regional meetings. The meeting generated tailored recommendations to strengthen policies, programmes and services for treating NCDs. With its flexible format and inclusive language interpretation, the meeting fostered broad engagement and contributed to the global mission of improving NCD care and emergency responses.