Theme: Translating Global and Regional Commitments into Local Action
20-22 June 2016, Nuku’alofa, TONGA
Pacific Islands’ leaders and ministers, and officials from regional and global development agencies, gathered
in the Kingdom of Tonga from 20-22 June to consider urgent action to address the region’s non-communicable diseases (NCD) crisis.
The first ever Pacific NCD Summit was a collaboration between the Government of Tonga and the Pacific Community (SPC), supported by the Australian Government, the New Zealand Aid Programme, World Bank, World Diabetes Foundation, World Health Organization , the Government of the United States and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
NCD crisis in the Pacific Islands region
NCDs – primarily heart disease, cancers, lung disease and diabetes – are the leading cause of death in the Pacific, with life expectancy declining in some Pacific Island countries as a result of NCD-related premature deaths.
In addition, there is a significant socio-economic burden placed on many Pacific Island countries and territories that are unable to provide essential medicines and services for preventing and caring for people with NCDs.
Some 140 participants attended. The adopted outcomes document will be made available on this webpage. Among its objectives, the Pacific NCD Summit reviewed how Pacific Island countries and territories are implementing their NCD activities aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Samoa Pathway.
The participants also:
- reviewed progress with the Pacific NCD Roadmap in an effort to accelerate implementation
- sought to strengthen current funding arrangements, and
- explored new sources of funding; and create opportunities for South-South collaboration in implementing good practice to address NCDs.
With the theme ‘Translating Global and Regional Commitments into Local Action’, the high-level summit was held at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre in Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa.
View the Summit programme. The event was officially opened by His Majesty King Tupou VI of Tonga. UNDP Administrator Helen Clark deliver the keynote address focusing on the links between NCDs and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The opening ceremony was via livestream from Tonga Broadcasting Commission, from 8:30am (local time) on Monday 20 June 2016.
Contact SPC’s Public Health Division for general Summit enquiries:
Elisiva Na’ati : [email protected]
Solène Bertrand-Protat : [email protected]
Summit partners
The Pacific NCD Summit would not be possible without support from:
Media contacts
- Andrew Toimoana, Director of Information, Tonga,[email protected] or +676 772 9000
- Lauren Robinson, SPC Media Relations Team Leader, [email protected] or (Tonga) +676 842 1812
- Gwendolyn Carleton, Communications, World Diabetes Foundation, [email protected] or +45 307 943 09
- Saula Volavola, WHO Media, [email protected] or +679 323 4140
- Tom Perry, Team Leader-Pacific Communications, World Bank,[email protected] or +61 2 9235 6570
Speeches
- His Majesty King Tupou VI: Opening Address Pacific NCD Summit
- UNDP Administrator Helen Clark: Keynote Address on “Non-communicable Diseases – a Sustainable Development Priority for Pacific Island Countries”
- Pacific Community Director-General, Colin Tukuitonga: Opening Ceremony Pacific NCD Summit
- Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Deputy Secretary-General, Fong Toy: Addressing NCDs As A Region – Strength in Numbers
Video links
- A healthier future for the Pacific Islands: World Bank
- Veini’s story – Living a healthier life: World Bank
- Eti’s story – Becoming a better human: World Bank
- Progress on Public Health in Tonga: A Shared Journey: UNDP
Media releases
- Exploring Pacific funding mechanism option to turn the tide on NCDs 22 June
- Pasifika Plates: promoting healthy Pacific food 21 June 2016
- Addressing Pacific NCD crisis will advance other development priorities 20 June 2016
- Lack of action on Non-Communicable Diseases damaging Pacific economies: World Bank 20 June
- Strong high-level support for first Pacific NCD Summit 16 June 2016
- World No Tobacco Day: Get ready for plain packaging 31 May 2016
- Pacific summit to strengthen response to non-communicable diseases crisis 19 May 2016
- Sexually Transmitted Infections also a key priority in Tonga’s Public Health agenda UNDP
- Winning battle against NCDs tops Public Health agenda in Tonga UNDP
- Political will and local partnerships stall Zika outbreak and help combat NCDs in Tonga UNDP
