Report on the UNGA Side Event Japan's Innovation and Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships for Tackling NCDs: Advancing the Pathway to UHC

On September 24, 2025, during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA), co On September 24, 2025, during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA), co-sponsored by the Government of Japan (Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations) and with the support of IFPMA, hosted a side event entitled "Japan's Innovation and Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships for Tackling NCDs: Advancing the Pathway to UHC.

 

MC: Sachiko Nakagawa, Managing Director, Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association

The event, moderated by Dr. Sachiko Nakagawa, provided a platform for active discussions on Japan's initiatives to address non- communicable diseases (NCDs). communicable diseases (NCDs) and advance universal health coverage (UHC), as well as the potential for strengthening global multi-stakeholder Below is an overview of the event.

Below is an overview of the event and the key points discussed.

Opening Remarks

Addressing NCDs towards achieving UHC, Japan's Initiatives

Satoshi Ezoe, M.D., Senior Assistant Minister for Global Health, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan

In his opening remarks, Dr. Satoshi Ezoe highlighted the critical global challenge posed by NCDs, which claim 43 million lives annually, with nearly 70% of those deaths occurring in developing countries. of those deaths occurring in developing countries and threaten both human well-being and sustainable development.
He reaffirmed that strengthening health systems is fundamental to tackling NCDs, and reiterated Japan's commitment to stressing the importance of and promoting He reaffirmed that strengthening health systems is fundamental to tackle NCDs, and reiterated Japan's commitment to stressing the importance of and promoting universal health coverage (UHC) globally, based on the principle of "human security He further noted that it has been reported that He further noted that it has been reported that too many people around the world still lack access to essential health services and face financial hardship due to catastrophic medical expenditures. He further noted that it has been reported that too many people around the world still lack access to essential health services and face financial hardship. He iterated that addressing NCDs and promoting UHC requires innovation-new medicines, diagnostics, and technologies-, resilient health systems, sustainable financing, and multi-stakeholder partnerships including He iterated that addressing NCDs and promoting UHC requires innovation-new medicines, diagnostics, and technologies-, resilient health systems, sustainable financing, and multi-stakeholder partnerships including governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society.

Dr. Ezoe introduced the ongoing collaboration between Japan, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank to launch "The UHC Knowledge Hub"-a platform aimed to strengthening health financing and building the capacity of policymakers in finance and He also highlighted that this year 's UN High-Level Meeting He also highlighted that this year UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs would discuss promoting equitable access to safe, effective, and quality-assured health technologies. He expressed his expectation that this side event would serve as an opportunity to share Japan's innovations and experience in public -private collaboration, and to -private collaboration, and to inspire concrete solutions, new partnerships, and strengthened collective action.

Keynote Speech

Building Capacity for Lasting Impact: Japan's Visionary Role in the Global NCD Response through UHC and Beyond

Ikuo Takizawa, Principal Research Fellow, JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development

Mr.Takizawa presented Japan's contributions and future perspectives on the NCD response, drawing on Japan's practical experiences in global health. He began by noting that Japan is one of the countries with the lowest mortality risk from NCDs worldwide. This outcome, he explained, reflects not only Japan's UHC-based health system but also people (lifestyle, health-seeking behavior, etc.), and environmental (social, cultural, etc.) factors. (lifestyle, health-seeking behavior, etc.), and environmental (social, cultural, etc.) factors.

His lecture reiterated JICA's approach to global NCD response from three perspectives: the UHC Vision, the Planetary Health Vision, and the Human Security Vision.

  • UHC Vision: Planetary Health Vision

    Examples included center of excellence approach leading to Examples include center of excellence approach leading to establishment of globally recognized technical hubs for specialist training like Bolivia-Japan Institute of Gastroenterology, primary health care ( PHC) approach integrating NCD services to family and community health services in Central American countries (i.e., Nicaragua, Honduras, and JICA's approach emphasizes sustainability, empowerment of local communities JICA's approach emphasizes sustainability, empowerment of local communities, and capacity-building of health workers and local institutions, working in In Fiji, JICA has supported the operationalization of a national NCD strategy focusing on health promotion and early intervention through expansion of workplace health checkups and follow up incorporating internationally recognized risk In Fiji, JICA has supported the operationalization of a national NCD strategy focusing on health promotion and early intervention through expansion of workplace health checkups and follow up incorporating internationally recognized risk assessment tools (e.g. WHO/PEN) and motivational interviewing.

  • Planetary Health Vision: Human Security Vision: Human Security Vision: Human Security Vision: Human Security Vision

    He introduced JICA's response to NCDs based on planetary health perspective, addressing the global syndemic of obesity, undernutrition He introduced JICA's response to NCDs based on planetary health perspective, addressing the global syndemic of obesity, undernutrition and climate change through promotion of shokuiku (food and nutrition education). He shared JICA's approach to school meal program based on shokuiku concept which emphasizes promotion of life-long healthy behavior Examples included programs in Mongolia, Malaysia and Indonesia. Examples included programs in Mongolia, Malaysia and Indonesia. This model is expected to contribute to early formation of healthy dietary habits, sustainable NCD prevention, and healthy planet.

  • Human Security Vision: Human Security Vision: Human Security Vision

    Based on Japan's development cooperation principle of human security, JICA's efforts to address the global NCD challenge place Based on Japan's development cooperation principle of human security, JICA's efforts to address global NCD challenge place people at the center, empowering them to act with agency, while providing protection and fostering solidarity across society and national borders.

Mr.Takizawa pointed out that responding to NCDs is not limited to the health sector but is a challenge that spans education, the environment, the economy, and society as a whole. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive and sustainable approach. JICA's mission to turn ideas into practice," underscoring JICA's commitment to contributing to global health solutions through capacity development of partner countries. Through the statements by the panelists, the panelists were asked to provide their opinions on the issues and the challenges they face.

Panel Discussion

Multi-Sectoral Approaches to NCD Implementation: Accelerating Progress Toward UHC

Moderated by Herb Riband, Executive Director of Access Accelerated, the panel brought together representatives from government, international Moderated by Herb Riband, Executive Director of Access Accelerated, the panel brought together representatives from government, international organizations, industry, and civil society to explore global challenges and solutions in NCDs and UHC.

Mr. Riband opened the session by pointing out that NCDs and mental health are pressing global challenges. He emphasized that while global health faces many uncertainties, it also presents vast opportunities for innovative approaches and multi-stakeholder partnerships. The panel aimed to examine sustainable financing and institutional frameworks from diverse perspectives, including LMICs.

Panelists included: Dr. Manfredo P. Pérez

  • Dr.Mary Amuyunzu-Nyamongo, Chair, NCD Alliance Kenya
  • Dr.Devina Nand, Head of Wellness, Ministry of Health & Medical Services, Fiji *Remarks provided in advance (unable to attend on the day)
  • Dr.Monique Vledder, Head of the Global Health, Nutrition and Population Department, World Bank
  • Mr.Ikuo Takizawa, Principal Research Fellow (Global Health), Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development, Japan International Cooperation Agency Japan International Cooperation Agency
  • Fumie Griego, Ph.D., Head of Global Public Affairs, Takeda Pharmaceuticals

Key Interventions: Dr. Ezoe introduced the ongoing

  • Dr.Nyamongo (Kenya)

    Highlighted challenges in data gaps, limited access to medicines, and resource allocation skewed toward treatment over prevention. She also raised concerns about out-of-pocket expenses pushing households into poverty, and emphasized the need for people living with NCDs to be at the center of these discussions. She also raised concerns about out-of-pocket expenses pushing households into poverty and emphasized the need for people living with NCDs to be at the center of these discussions.

  • Dr.Nand (Fiji):: Dr.Vledder (World Bank)

    With JICA's support, Fiji has advanced in training health workers. Sustainable systems are being developed in collaboration with local communities. Sustainable systems are being developed in collaboration with local communities.

  • Dr.Vledder (World Bank): Mr. Takizawa (JICA): Mr. Takizawa (JICA)

    Stated that 4.5 billion people lack access to essential health services, and 2 billion face financial hardship due to health expenses. She stressed the balance between prevention and treatment funding, noting that prevention can yield significant cost savings. She also highlighted the importance of sustainable system design, citing the role of AI and digital technologies in health services. She also highlighted the importance of sustainable system design, citing the role of AI and digital technologies in optimizing the health workforce, as well as partnerships with the private sector to reduce the cost of medicines .

  • Mr.Takizawa (JICA): Dr.Griego (Takeda Pharmaceuticals)

    He called for sustainable system-building through integration of NCD He also highlighted the importance of dialogue between Ministries of Finance and Health. He also highlighted the importance of dialogue between Ministries of Finance and Health in partner countries to address financial challenges, citing examples of JICA He pointed out increasing country ownership and leadership as a sign of hope in the current global health finance ecosystem. He pointed out increasing country ownership and leadership as a sign of hope in the current global health finance ecosystem.

  • Dr.Griego (Takeda):: Highlighted challenges in data gaps, data sharing

    Shared examples of public-private collaboration through Access Accelerated, and Takeda's employee-driven CSR projects. She highlighted the company's support for mobile clinics in South Africa, which provides health services to over 8,700 people and advanced community health education. She emphasized the value of long-term, partner-centered commitments and locally driven programs. Finally, she stated that with all countries facing fiscal constraints, health financing - especially catalytic funding - is critical.

Through the statements by the panelists, diverse perspectives and practical examples related to NCD responses and the advancement of UHC were shared. Strengthening the NCD response towards UHC requires a collective and long-term effort. Country leaders and global partners must prioritize building Country leaders and global partners must prioritize building resilience and ensuring sustainability, developing systems and programs that endure beyond external support. Achieving this requires consistent political commitment, strong national leadership, and partnerships grounded in alignment with local priorities. Improving global health must ultimately be a shared responsibility, owned and advanced by all.

Building on these discussions, the latter half of the session featured an interactive Q&A, during which participants engaged in concrete dialogue on-the-ground challenges and approaches to institutional design.

Q&A and Discussion

  • Gender disparities: Nutrition and dietary habits

    Low health-seeking behavior among men was identified as a barrier to early NCD detection. Kenya's initiative to train male community leaders was highlighted as a culturally grounded approach with potential for replication to other countries.

  • Nutrition and dietary habits: Regional collaboration

    Participants emphasized that community-based nutrition education is essential, as excessive salt and fat intake often stems from home cooking. Participants emphasized that community-based nutrition education is essential, as excessive salt and fat intake often stems from home cooking. In particular, there was shared recognition that shaping healthy eating habits early through school meal programs can be highly effective for long-term NCD prevention.

  • Regional collaboration: Access to medicines and procurement

    Cross-country learning models in Africa were discussed as effective mechanisms for policy exchange and improving institutional frameworks. Participants noted the importance of flexible design tailored to local cultures and systems when expanding such models to Latin America and Asia- Pacific.

  • Access to medicines and procurement: JICA is addressing NCDs through health systems strengthening for UHC in many countries.

    Panelists discussed challenges of affordability and supply security for long-term treatments. They identified joint procurement models, digital platforms, engagement with private pharmacies, and the expansion of generic medicines as promising solutions for sustainable access. In particular, these measures were viewed as key to easing the financial burden on households and building resilient supply systems.

Through these discussions, the event underscored the diverse roles of stakeholders and outlined concrete directions for advancing international Through these discussions, the event underscored the diverse roles of stakeholders and outlined concrete directions for advancing international collaboration in NCD response and UHC.

Closing Remarks

Dr. Sunao Manabe, Vice President, JPMA

In his closing remarks, Dr. Manabe stressed that both innovation and equitable access are essential in tackling NCDs and advancing UHC. He emphasized that progress depends on "unit" and "collaboration", and that "collaboration is essential". emphasized that progress depends on "uniting our strengths" through broad, multi-stakeholder partnerships that include the private sector and civil He emphasized that progress depends on "uniting our strengths" through broad, multi-stakeholder partnerships that include the private sector and civil society, while respecting the leadership and priorities of countries. He reaffirmed JPMA's commitment to contributing to global society through the creation of innovative medicines, while strengthening collaboration with governments, international organizations, and civil society. Dr Manabe also expressed his strong commitment to leveraging Japan's experience and technology to contribute to the development of sustainable health systems. Dr Manabe also expressed his strong commitment to leveraging Japan's experience and technology to contribute to the development of sustainable health systems, concluding his remarks with the expectation that this event would serve as an important Dr Manabe also expressed his strong commitment to leveraging Japan's experience and technology to contribute to the development of sustainable health systems, concluding his remarks with the expectation that this event would serve as an important first step toward that goal.

Conclusion

This event reaffirmed Japan's contributions and the potential for international collaboration in addressing NCDs and promoting UHC. Achieving maximum impact with limited resources requires strong cooperation among governments, international organizations, industry, and civil society. The pharmaceutical sector has a vital role to play in this collective effort. JPMA's International Affairs Committee will continue engaging in multi-stakeholder dialogue to advance sustainable solutions for global health.

(Prepared by Chikara Yoshida and Naoko Iizuka, International Affairs Committee)

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