Business Applauds UN High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases

4161_image002USCIB and its affiliate the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) said the world business community strongly supports the outcome of the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases, which took place September 19-20 in New York.

USCIB and ICC representatives said businesses have an interest in curbing non-communicable diseases for a variety of reasons, including having productive employees, providing products, medicines, services, and technical support to manage NCDs, and sustaining a beneficial long-term relationship within the communities where they operate.

“Business understands that NCDs are a societal matter, and therefore require whole-of-society and whole-of-government solutions,” said Louise Kantrow, ICC’s permanent representative to the United Nations.  “All companies have an interest in ensuring they have a healthy and resilient workforce, and we welcome the UN’s work on this issue and look forward to taking an active part in continuing the fight against NCDs.”

Industry has taken concrete actions to combat NCDs that include global public commitments to address food reformulation, consumer information, responsible marketing, promotion of healthier lifestyles, and public-private partnerships.  In fact, cooperative relationships with industry have already led to many favorable outcomes related to diet and physical activity.

There are ongoing initiatives by the food industry to reduce the fat, sugar, and salt content of processed foods and portion sizes, to increase introduction of innovative, healthier and nutritious choices.  Industry is also partnering with governments and nongovernmental organizations to encourage more active, healthier lifestyles, including working to reduce alcohol abuse, which have contributed to health gains worldwide.

USCIB President and CEO Peter M. Robinson said the global business community welcomed the outcomes of the UN High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases as well as future engagement with the United Nations on this important societal issue.  “A multi-stakeholder approach is clearly needed to effectively curb NCDs,” he said.  “The private sector will continue to play its role, and we look forward to working closely with governments and other actors in this effort.”

To read the declaration from the High-Level Meeting on NCDs, click here.

More on USCIB’s Health Care Working Group

Staff Contact:   Brian Lowry

Senior Counsel
Tel: 202.617.3159

Brian Lowry leads USCIB’s policy work on trade, health, food, agriculture, chemicals, and intellectual property. He also coordinates USCIB’s engagement in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Lowry joined USCIB in February 2021 having previously worked as an executive in the agriculture and crop science industry. Through his role as an executive, Lowry was also a longtime USCIB corporate member leader, as well as co-chair of USCIB’s working group on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Post-2015 Development Agenda. Lowry was also the first board chair of the UN Global Compact Network USA.
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