Watch the video recording of the event
New York, 27 September 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) successfully hosted a high-level dialogue bringing together health ministers, UN agencies, and civil society to share experiences and strategies for advancing investment in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health. The event was co-sponsored by UNICEF and WHO in their roles as Health4Life Fund Participating UN Organizations, along with the Secretariat of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on NCDs (UNIATF), the Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), and the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).
The side event, “Scaling up Action on NCDs and Mental Health: A South-South Exchange on the Role of Investment Cases,” took place on September 26 during the UN General Assembly week, drawing participants from across the globe both in-person and via livestream.
Dr. Nick Banatvala, Head of the Secretariat of the UN NCD Task Force and Health4Life Fund, opened the session by emphasizing the critical need for sustained investment in NCD prevention and mental health services. He noted that investment cases have proven to be transformative tools for mobilizing resources and political commitment across diverse country contexts.
Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, highlighted how South-South and triangular cooperation partnerships can accelerate progress on health priorities, particularly for countries facing similar challenges. Her remarks underscored the value of peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange in addressing complex health issues. A select UNOSSC Trust Funds supported initiatives were also referred to.
In a fireside chat moderated by Dr. Banatvala, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness of Jamaica, shared his country’s journey in addressing NCDs. The Minister discussed both successes and ongoing challenges in implementing comprehensive prevention strategies, offering candid insights into the political and financial realities of sustaining health programs.
Roy Small, Policy Specialist on Health Governance and Financing at UNDP, presented insights from ten years of investment case development, demonstrating how evidence-based approaches have helped countries secure funding and build sustainable health systems. His presentation highlighted common challenges and successful strategies that have emerged across different regional contexts.
The session also featured compelling case studies from multiple countries. Dr. Abdullah Alarifi, Director General and Advisor at the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia, shared innovative financing mechanisms that have enabled expanded services. Dr. Orratai Waleewong, Strategy and Planning Analyst at the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand, discussed Thailand’s comprehensive investment strategy and its outcomes. Ferdinant M. Sonyuy, Secretary General of Cameroon NCD Alliance, provided civil society perspectives on advocacy and implementation challenges in resource-constrained settings.