SIDS Ministerial Conference on NCDs and Mental Health

In recognition of the high burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health in SIDS countries, as well as the impact of climate change coupled with the impact of COVID-19 on health and economies in these particularly vulnerable states, WHO, PAHO and the Government of Barbados are convening ministers from SIDS countries and partner organizations at the SIDS Ministerial Conference to be held on 14–16 June 2023 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

(HCC and NCD Alliance NCD Civil Society Response in Support of the 2023 Bridgetown Declaration to be adopted this week, provides key messages and follow-up recommendations read more about this response.)

Taking place ahead of the UN General Assembly High-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage in September 2023, this conference will also feed into preparatory processes leading to the fourth High-level meeting on NCDs in 2025 and to future global summits on mental health.

Speakers include: Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO; Dr Jarbas Barbosa, Director, PAHO; and many more.

The conference follows on from the SIDS High-level technical meeting on NCDs and mental health held in January 2023, where representatives from SIDS countries discussed the progress and challenges to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 related to NCDs and mental health, and key recommendations were provided for the subsequent development of a negotiated outcome document. It also serves as a follow up to the virtual WHO SIDS Summit for Health held in June 2021, which urged Member States to strengthen their collaboration and partnership to address development challenges, supporting the 2007 Port of Spain Declaration on NCDs and the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway adopted in 2014.