On 24 February (15:00-16:30 CET), the Global Coalition for Circulatory Health (GCCH) is hosting an online event titled Translating the 2025 UN Political Declaration commitments into action for circulatory health. This webinar will bring together leading global experts to examine the 2025 UN Political Declaration through the lens of circulatory health and to explore how health systems can translate political commitments into meaningful, on-the-ground action.
In practical terms, translating the Declaration into action for circulatory health means prioritising prevention, early detection and integrated care within primary health systems. The Declaration also underscores the need to reduce health inequities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of circulatory diseases is rising most rapidly. Governments are encouraged to embed circulatory health targets within national NCD and UHC strategies, mobilise sustainable financing, and strengthen data systems to monitor progress.
The event will be moderated by Bente Mikkelsen, Chair of the World Heart Federation Advocacy Committee.
Speakers include:
- Jerome X. Walcott, Sen. The Most Hon., FB, MBBS, FRCS, JP, Minister of Health and Wellness, Barbados
- Stephen M. Mutiso, Lead, Renal Programme, Division of Non-communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Kenya
- Nick Banatvala, Head of Secretariat, United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases
- Marcello Tonelli, President, International Society of Nephrology
- Peter Schwarz, President, International Diabetes Federation
- Jagat Narula, President, World Heart Federation,
- Kim Yu, WHO Liaison, World Organization of Family Doctors
- Daniela Espindula Mothci, CEO, International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations
- Howard Catton, CEO, International Council of Nurses
IDF and GCCH: partnering to advance global circulatory health policy
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is a founding member and core partner of GCCH, a multi-stakeholder alliance working to reduce the global burden of circulatory diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease. An initiative born from the WHO Global Conference on Noncommunicable Diseases in 2017, it brings together international organisations, professional societies, patient groups and policymakers to promote coherent, cross-sector policy approaches to prevention, early detection and integrated care. The Coalition advocates for the inclusion of circulatory health in global and national policy frameworks and supports the translation of political commitments into measurable health outcomes.
Through GCCH, IDF works alongside partner organisations to advocate for coherent NCD policies, alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, and progress towards universal health coverage, recognising diabetes as a central component of circulatory health and a key driver of avoidable morbidity and mortality worldwide.
