Honourable Chair,
Distinguished Delegates,

The World Heart Federation urges bold political action to address cardiovascular disease – the world’s leading, yet most preventable, health threat.

WHF calls on Member States to prioritize cardiovascular disease within national NCD strategies and pursue targeted action to:

- Treat 500 million more people with hypertension by 2030;
- Aim for 50% global hypertension control by 2030;
- Implement fiscal policies with at least 50% excise tax on tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages;
- Adopt the WHO Air Quality Guidelines (2021); and
- Reduce premature NCD-related deaths and disabilities by 50% globally by 2050.

Our global response must prioritize low- and middle-income countries, which bear the highest burden of NCDs.

We urge the adoption of measurable targets and dedicated cardiovascular health action plans with clearly defined indicators and accountability mechanisms.

WHF also endorses the Call to Lead on NCDs. The time for half-measures has passed. Let us act decisively – and save lives now.