Technical Advisory Group on Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control in the Western Pacific Region (NCD TAG WPR)
The NCD TAG WPR was initially convened in 2020 to strengthen the noncommunicable disease (NCD) agenda proposed by WHO-WPRO’s cornerstone vision “For the Future: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region”. The vision calls for an integrated and systematic approach to tackling NCDs.

This second phase (2023-2026) of the NCD TAG WPR will continue the achievement from the previous TAG meetings and will now focus on supporting Member States in accelerating action on NCD prevention and control and work towards SDG 3.4 (reduce premature NCD mortality by one-third by 2030).

 

Objective

The NCD TAG WPR will act as an advisory body to WHO to support WHO’s efforts and work in countries and areas within the Region to accelerate action for the prevention and control of NCDs and work towards SDG 3.4 (reduce premature NCD mortality by one third by 2030). 

Functions

In its capacity as an advisory body to WHO, the NCD TAG WPR shall have the following functions:

  1. To advise WPRO on technical issues and provide recommendations based on the four thematic priorities of the Region using the operational shift of taking systems approach in addressing NCDs;
  2. To support WPRO in the implementation of the Regional Action Framework for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control in the Western Pacific;
  3. To advise on specific topics related to NCD prevention and control, such as multi-sectoral engagement, investment in NCD prevention and health promotion, integration of NCDs in UHC and primary health care, and innovative and “leapfrog” interventions to reverse the trends of NCDs;
  4. To analyse country progress and identify good practices, shared challenges and lessons learned in relation to NCDs;
  5. To make recommendations in relation to NCD prevention and management in the Region, with specific focus on Country level actions considering their different contexts and to provide country-specific technical support per request;
  6. To support WPRO in raising the profile of NCD prevention and control in the Region, and their critical role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

If recommended by the WPRO Secretariat, to engage in other regional TAGs and technical meetings based on expertise to harmonize NCD-related recommendations.

Safeguarding WHO against conflicts of interests

NCD TAG WPR members must respect the impartiality and independence required of WHO. In performing their work, members may not seek or accept instructions from any Government or from any authority external to the Organization. They must be free of any real, potential or apparent conflicts of interest.

To this end, the members have completed a declaration of interests form and their appointment has been subject to the evaluation of completed forms by the WHO Secretariat, determining that their participation would not give rise to a real, potential or apparent conflict of interest.

Apart from the requirement of all members having to complete the WHO declaration of interest form, NCD TAG WPR members have an ongoing obligation to inform the WHO of any interests real or perceived that may give raise to a real, potential or apparent conflict of interest. WHO may, from time to time, request NCD TAG WPR members to complete a new declaration of interest form. This may be before a NCD TAG WPR meeting or any other NCD TAG WPR-related activity or engagement, as decided by WHO. Where WHO has made such a request, the NCD TAG WPR member’s participation in the NCD TAG WPR activity or engagement is subject to a determination that their participation would not give rise to a real, potential or apparent conflict of interest.

 

Public notice and comment process

In order to enhance WHO’s management of conflicts of interest, as well as strengthen public trust and transparency in connection with WHO advisory groups involving the provision of strategic and technical advice, the names and brief biographies of the members appointed to the NCD TAG WPR are disclosed for public notice and comment.

The comments received by WHO through the public notice and comment process are treated confidentially and their receipt will be acknowledged through a generic email notification to the sender. Comments and perceptions brought to the attention of WHO through this process are carefully reviewed. WHO reserves the right to discuss information received through this process with the relevant expert with no attribution to the provider of such information. Upon review and assessment of the information received through this process, WHO, in its sole discretion, may take appropriate management action in accordance with its policies.

If you have any comments please send them to wproncd@who.int with subject: “Public comments on new NCD TAG WPR members.

Composition

Following a call for experts, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific has appointed 10 members of the NCD TAG WPR, who will serve in their personal capacities to represent the broad range of disciplines relevant to NCD prevention and management.

In the selection of NCD TAG WPR members, consideration was given to attaining an adequate distribution of technical expertise, geographical representation and gender balance.

Members of the NCD TAG WPR have been appointed to serve for a period of three years (15 January 2024 to 14 January 2027).

Members

Dr Gade Waqa

Areas of Expertise: Policy assessments and planning

Dr Tomofumi Sone

Areas of Expertise: Integrated people-centred service delivery

Dr Sally Casswell

Areas of Expertise: Policy advocacy

Sir Michael Marmot

Areas of Expertise: Social determinants of health

Dr John Pastor Ansah

Areas of Expertise: Systems thinking

Ms Hayley Jones

Areas of Expertise: Policy advocacy

Dr Gabriel Leung

Areas of Expertise: Primary health care

Dr Min Kyung Lim

Areas of Expertise: Integration of NCDs into PHC

Dr Dori Patay

Areas of Expertise: Strengthening governance

Dr Philayrath Phongsavan

Areas of Expertise: Behavior change