Honourable Chair,
Distinguished Delegates,

NCDs – including cancers, cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension, kidney disease, diabetes, and other circulatory conditions – remain the leading cause of death globally. The unequal distribution of NCD incidence, prevalence, and outcomes reflects deep and persistent inequities shaped by income, education, gender, geography, and exposure to harmful environments, both within and across countries, with a disproportionate impact on disadvantaged populations. Key risk factors – such as air pollution, tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, loneliness, and social isolation – are strongly influenced by social, commercial, and environmental conditions.

The widespread availability, affordability, and marketing of harmful commodities contribute to poorer well-being, especially in LMICs and among youth. Commercial influence and vested interests continue to delay, weaken, and impede the effective implementation of evidence-based, life-saving public health policies. Measures that protect public policy from conflicts of interest and prioritize public health over short-term profits are essential components of public health governance.

To achieve population well-being, we urge Member States to take urgent, sustained action to address the social, commercial, and environmental determinants of health across the life course. We commend WHO for its focus on whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches and on optimizing health co-benefits to promote healthy environments and reduce exposure to risk factors.

We encourage WHO and Member States to strengthen alignment between the well-being framework and the upcoming WHO’s strategy on economics of health for all, as well as existing commitments on NCD prevention and control, UHC, action on the social and commercial determinants of health, and emergency preparedness and response efforts, with particular attention to vulnerable populations.