Second Global NCD Alliance Forum to be Held in Sharjah, UAE in December 2017

The NCD Alliance yesterday evening announced that the second Global NCD Alliance Forum will take place on 9-11 December 2017 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

The announcement was made at a high-level dinner taking place on the side lines of the 71st UN General Assembly in New York, entitled “Looking Ahead to 2018: Continued Momentum on NCDs to Drive Progress”. 

The Forum will be held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and Founder and Patron of Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), and co-hosted by the NCD Alliance and Friends of Cancer Patients in Sharjah, UAE. 

The first Global NCD Alliance Forum took place in November 2015 in Sharjah, convening NCD civil society from across the world for the first time, resulting in increased knowledge and advocacy skills, new networks and connections, as well as the landmark Sharjah Declaration on NCDs. Notably, Sharjah government is committed to championing this important health and development issue. 

“Non-communicable diseases – such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases – are responsible for 68% of deaths globally. They caused enormous economic challenges for people, their families and societies, and undermine economic productivity of countries”, said Her Excellency Ameera Binkaram, President of the Board of Directors, Friends of Cancer Patients. 

Mr Jose Luis Castro, Chair of the NCD Alliance said, “Given the success of the 2015 Forum and the need for continued strengthening of national and regional action in NCD, the NCD Alliance has embedded capacity development in its Strategic Plan 2016-2020. 

The 2015 Forum convened NCD civil society at a pivotal moment – two months after world leaders adopted the UN Sustainable Development Goals. “The timing of the next Forum will be equally important”, said Johana Ralston, CEO of World Heart Federation and Vice-Chair of the NCD Alliance. “The Forum will provide an opportunity to mobilise the NCD community ahead of the 2018 UN High Level review on NCDs. We will unite around priorities for this next important global milestone, and strategize to ensure we achieve meaningful outcomes for ND prevention and control”. 

Katie Dain, Executive Director of the NCD alliance said, “It is our belief that a vibrant and strong NCD civil society movement capable of delivering its four primary roles - awareness, advocacy, accountability, and improving access to essential services-is essential to accelerate sustained progress on NCDs. The 2017 Forum provides us with the necessary platform to focus and equip the NCD civil society movement to deliver on its main roles and apply pressure to meet ambitious global targets and deliver national progress”.