The Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, has warned that the world is “severely off track” in achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, particularly in reducing deaths caused by Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
Speaking on Thursday at a United Nations General Assembly side event themed “Rescuing health-related SDGs in times of crisis: aligning multilateral collaboration for country impact,” Ghebreyesus noted that progress has stalled nearly a decade after the SDGs were adopted.
He highlighted that over one billion people are living with mental health conditions, yet government spending on mental health services remains grossly insufficient. According to WHO data, NCDs such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease now account for 75% of global deaths, while cuts in international aid and limited domestic financing are weakening health systems—especially in developing nations.
Ghebreyesus stressed that urgent investments in primary health care, universal health coverage, and sustainable financing are crucial to meeting the 2030 targets.
He said:
“Today’s High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health is an important opportunity for countries to make concrete commitments. They must do this in a new economic reality, with sudden and steep cuts to aid causing severe disruptions to health systems, on top of chronic domestic underinvestment. The result is that lives are being lost, and millions are being pushed into poorer health.”
He referenced the recent Financing for Development conference in Seville, praising Spain’s leadership in addressing issues such as the debt trap that limits investments in health and education. He also noted that the upcoming G20 Summit under South Africa’s presidency will be pivotal in advancing the discussion.
Calling health “an investment in people and prosperity,” Ghebreyesus urged countries to boost domestic resource mobilisation, strengthen self-reliance, and reduce dependence on aid. He added that many African leaders have already expressed readiness for this transition.
He pledged WHO’s continued support to help countries mobilise financing, increase health system efficiency, and align with the Lusaka Agenda’s vision of one plan, one budget, one report.
Beyond financing, he acknowledged that multilateralism itself is under strain, with growing distrust in global institutions. He said this crisis also presents an opportunity for reform—making global health governance more efficient, impactful, and fit for purpose.
WHO, he concluded, will keep working with partners worldwide to ensure better outcomes and remain relevant in a rapidly changing global landscape.
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