What is the role of the private sector in the High-level Meeting on NCDs?
Q: What is the role of the private sector in the High-level Meeting on NCDs?
A: Private sector can clearly play a crucial role in the fight against NCDs, particularly in terms of the products some companies produce that are among the risk factors that cause NCDs
Governments and pharmaceutical companies can work closely to make medicines more affordable and accessible. Food companies can cut back on the salt, transfats and sugar, and be more responsible in marketing products to children and providing accurate information on their products. Almost all industries can help reduce pollution and promote healthy lifestyles. Employers can implement measures that protect against NCDs.
The World Economic Forum, which engages business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas, this year paid particular attention to the issue of NCDs at its annual Davos event.
Private sector representatives are engaging with the UN system, either via meetings or through the NCDnet collaboration hosted by WHO. The private sector is also expected to participate in the three thematic roundtables being held during the High-level Meeting on 19 and 20 September 2011.
Related links
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World Economic Forum annual meeting 2011
January 2011, Davos, Switzerland -
WHO, civil and private sectors discuss way forward for UN summit on NCDs
1-2 November 2010, Geneva, Switzerland - NCDnet - Global Noncommunicable Disease Network
