The United Nations plans to hold a high-level meeting this September in New York on combating non-communicable diseases like cancer and diabetes. In preparation, USCIB and its affiliate the International Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon briefing at the UN on June 16 on “Multi-Stakeholder Solutions Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases.” The event was attended by some 80 representatives of UN member states, industry and civil society.
Speakers at the luncheon came from across the spectrum of health policy and business, and included:
- Alexander Alimov, senior counselor with the Russian mission to the UN
- Dr. Karen Sealey, special advisor to the Pan-American Health Organization
- Donna Hrinak, co-chair of the International Food and Beverage Alliance and vice president of global public policy with PepsiCo
- Dr. Scott Ratzan, chair of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations and vice president of global health with Johnson & Johnson
- Erica Whinston, senior manager with Qualcomm
The panel was moderated by Louise Kantrow, ICC’s permanent representative to the UN. Earlier in the day, USCIB and ICC submitted a joint statement to an interactive hearing for civil society. The statement focused on the importance of tailored, local solutions as part of a broader global effort in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the importance of involving the private sector and the need to take a broad, societal approach.
“NCDs are a societal matter and therefore require whole-of-society and whole-of-government solutions,” the statement said, noting that “all companies have an interest in ensuring they have a healthy and resilient workforce to maintain their competitive edge.”
Staff contact: Helen Medina
Remarks by ICC’s Louise Kantrow to the UN civil society hearing on non-communicable diseases
