Report on Side Events Held during the UN General Assembly Global expansion of NCDs control through Japan-originated innovation and multi-stakeholder partnerships: Pathways to realization of UHC
On September 24, 2025, during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a side event "Japan's Innovation and Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships for Tackling Global Health" was held in New York under the auspices of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PAM), supported by the Japanese government (Permanent Mission of Japan to the UN) and the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA). Stakeholder Partnerships for Tackling NCDs: Advancing the Pathway to UHC" was held in Tokyo.
Group photo
Moderator: Shoko Nakagawa, Executive Director, Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA)
This event, moderated by Ms. Shoko Nakagawa, Executive Director of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PMAJ), featured a lively discussion on Japan's efforts to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and promote universal health coverage (UHC), as well as the potential for international multi-stakeholder collaboration.
The following is a summary of the event and the agenda.
Opening remarks
Measures against NCDs and Promotion of UHC: The Japanese Government's Efforts
Mr. Satoshi Ezoe, International Health and Welfare Negotiator, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)
In his opening remarks, Mr. Ezoe noted that NCDs kill 43 million people a year worldwide, with about 70% of those deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and have a serious impact on people's well-being and sustainable socioeconomic development. Japan has emphasized the importance of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in all countries of the world based on the principle of "human security" and has been promoting efforts to achieve it. However, it is reported that many people in the world still lack access to essential health services and are in financial difficulties due to high out-of-pocket expenses for health services. The creation of innovations such as innovative medicines, diagnostics, and medical technologies, robust healthcare delivery systems, sustainable financial mechanisms, and collaboration among diverse stakeholders including governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society are essential for the promotion of UHC and NCDs control in the international community.
The Japanese government is currently working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank on the "UHC Knowledge Hub," a global hub for knowledge collection and human resource development aimed at strengthening the capacity of health financiers and policy makers in developing countries, and plans to hold a UHC High-Level Forum in Tokyo in December 2025. He shared that a UHC High-Level Forum is scheduled to be held in Tokyo in December 2025. He also mentioned that a high-level meeting of NCDs will be held the day after this event to discuss how to promote equitable access to safe, effective, and quality diagnostics, treatments, and health technologies, and he hoped that this event will serve as an opportunity to share Japan's experience in innovation and public-private partnerships to develop concrete He expressed hope that this event will be an opportunity to share Japan's experience with innovation and public-private partnerships, leading to concrete solutions, new partnerships, and enhanced collaboration.
Keynote Speech
Building Capacity for Lasting Impact: Japan's visionary role in the global NCD response through UHC and beyond
Mr. Ikuo Takizawa, Chief Researcher, Sadako Ogata Peace and Development Institute, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Based on Japan's practical experience in the field of international health, Mr. Takizawa spoke about Japan's contribution and future prospects in addressing NCDs. At the beginning of his presentation, he introduced that Japan has the lowest risk of death from NCDs in the world, which he attributed to multifactorial factors such as people's lifestyle and health behaviors as well as social environment and cultural background, in addition to the development of health care system based on UHC.
In his presentation, he explained JICA's approach to NCDs from the three perspectives of "UHC Vision," "Planetary Health Vision," and "Human Security Vision.
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UHC Vision
In many countries, JICA is working to address NCDs through health system strengthening aimed at UHC. Examples include the core-center approach that led to the establishment of globally recognized centers for professional human resource development, such as the Bolivia-Japan Digestive Disease Research Center, and the integration of NCDs services into family and community services in Central American countries (Nicaragua, Honduras, Dominican Republic), which supported JICA's cooperation emphasizes self-reliance and development, and is characterized by empowering local communities and strengthening the capacity of health care providers and local institutions. Fiji is a globally recommended country. In Fiji, JICA is supporting the implementation of the NCD national strategy with a focus on health promotion and early intervention, supported by globally recommended risk diagnosis tools (WHO/PEN, etc.), motivational interviewing, and other methods.
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Planetary Health Vision
JICA's promotion of nutrition education was introduced as one of JICA's measures to address NCDs in response to obesity, undernutrition, and climate change, which have been described as a global epidemic. Mongolia, Malaysia, and Indonesia were introduced as examples to school feeding programs that aim to promote healthy behaviors throughout life through meals that encourage healthy, locally produced and locally consumed food. This model is expected to contribute to early health habit formation, sustainable NCDs prevention, and even global health.
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Human Security Vision
Based on human security, which is a fundamental principle of Japan's development cooperation, he stated that JICA's NCDs prevention efforts are people-centered, empowering people to take action and change things themselves, providing necessary protection, and strengthening solidarity across societies and borders.
Mr. Takizawa pointed out that addressing NCDs is not limited to the healthcare sector, but is a challenge for the entire society, including education, the environment, and the economy, and stressed the need for a comprehensive and sustainable approach. In concluding his speech, Mr. Takizawa stated that "JICA's mission is to put ideas into practice," and expressed his commitment to continue to contribute to solving global health issues by strengthening the capacity of partner countries.
Panel Discussion
Multi-Sectoral Approaches to NCD Implementation: Accelerating Progress Toward UHC
The panel discussion, moderated by Herb Riband, Executive Director of Access Accelerated, was about international challenges and solutions regarding NCDs and UHC, with representatives from governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society expressing their views from their respective positions. Mr. Riband opened the session.
Mr. Riband opened by noting that NCDs and mental health are serious global challenges, and that "global health faces many challenges and uncertainties, but at the same time great potential is opening up through new approaches and diverse partnerships. He also presented the objective of the panel discussion to explore sustainable financing and institution building from the perspective of diverse stakeholders, including LMICs.
Speakers included.
- Ms. Mary Nyamongo, Chair, NCD Alliance Kenya
- Ms. Devina Nand, Head of Wellness, Fiji Ministry of Health (provided comments in advance)
- Ms. Monique Vledder, Head of the Global Health, Nutrition and Population Department, World Bank
- Mr. Ikuo Takizawa, Chief Researcher, Sadako Ogata Institute for Peace and Development, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
- Mr. Fumie Griego, Head of Global Public Affairs, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Ms. Mary Nyamongo, Chair, NCD Alliance Kenya
Nyamongo of NCD Alliance Kenya reported on the current status and challenges of NCDs control in Kenya. In particular, she pointed to a lack of basic data on the diseases, difficulties in accessing medicines, and resource allocation biased toward treatment rather than prevention as problematic. He also expressed concern about the current situation where out-of-pocket health care costs are putting pressure on household budgets and contributing to poverty, and stressed the need to put people living with NCDs at the center of these discussions.
Ms. Devina Nand, Head of Wellness, Ministry of Health, Fiji
Mr. DNand of the Fiji Ministry of Health reported that NCDs are responsible for more than 80% of deaths in Fiji, with an annual economic loss of $260 million, and that in collaboration with JICA, training of health professionals, introduction of health taxes, and workplace health promotion activities are underway to build sustainable systems in partnership with local communities. The establishment of a sustainable system is underway.
Ms. Monique Vledder, Head of the Global Health, Nutrition and Population Department, World Bank
Mr. Vledder of the World Bank pointed out that 4.5 billion people worldwide do not have access to necessary health services and 2 billion people face financial hardship due to health care costs. He emphasized the importance of building a sustainable system, including the use of AI and technology to improve the efficiency of medical human resources, and the reduction of drug prices through collaboration with the private sector.
Mr. Ikuo Takizawa, Chief Researcher, Sadako Ogata Institute for Peace and Development, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
JICA's Mr. Takizawa pointed out that NCDs countermeasures are not limited to the healthcare sector, but are issues that affect the entire society, including education, environment, and economy, and stressed the need to build sustainable institutions through integration into PHC, training of local medical personnel, strengthening of local health systems, and community participation. To address financial challenges, he mentioned the example of JICA's support for UHC through development policy loans, and noted the importance of dialogue between the partner country's Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health. He also noted that a sign of hope in the current situation surrounding global health financing is that countries are taking more ownership and leadership.
Mr. Fumie Griego, Head of Global Public Affairs, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Mr. Griego of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company introduced examples of community-based support, such as the progress of public-private partnerships through Access Accelerated and the selection of CSR projects through employee voting. He reported on their support of a mobile clinic in South Africa, which provides medical services to more than 8,700 people and conducts community health education and awareness activities. He also emphasized the value of long-term, community-driven programs that are tailored to the needs of partners. He further noted that health financing, especially catalytic funding, is crucial as all countries face financial constraints.
Through the presentations by the speakers, a variety of perspectives and practical examples of countermeasures against NCDs and promotion of UHC were shared. In the latter half of the session, a question-and-answer session was held, during which participants engaged in specific discussions on issues in the field and institutional design.
Questions and Answers
In the first question regarding gender disparities, it was pointed out that the low consultation rate among men hinders early detection of NCDs, and efforts to change behavior by fostering male leaders in Kenya were introduced. This was noted as an approach rooted in cultural backgrounds, and its applicability to other countries was discussed.
Next, in the discussion on improving nutrition and eating habits, excessive salt and oil intake in home-cooked meals was identified as an issue, and the importance of community-based nutrition education that goes beyond the limitations of food labels was emphasized. In particular, it was shared that early dietary habit formation through school lunches is effective in preventing NCDs in the long term.
Regarding regional collaboration, an inter-country learning model implemented in Africa was introduced, which was evaluated as effective for knowledge sharing among policy makers and for institutional improvement. Participants agreed that flexible design adapted to local cultures and institutions is essential when expanding to Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region.
Finally, on the issue of access to and procurement of medicines, the price and supply instability of drugs needed for long-term treatment was identified as a problem, and measures to improve it by introducing joint procurement and procurement models that utilize digital technology were discussed. In particular, it was suggested that collaboration with private pharmacies and the widespread use of generic drugs would contribute to reducing the burden on households and building a sustainable supply system.
Through these discussions, the roles of various stakeholders in addressing NCDs and specific directions for deepening international collaboration were clarified.
Long-term and collaborative efforts are essential for strengthening NCDs control to achieve UHC, and country leaders and international partners need to prioritize the establishment of sustainable and resilient health systems and programs that are not dependent on external support. Achieving this will require consistent political commitment, strong national leadership, and partnerships consistent with national priorities.
The panel discussion was summarized by stating that improving global health is a shared responsibility that all stakeholders must take ownership of and work together to promote.
Panel Discussion
Closing Remarks
Jun Manabe, Vice President, Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA)
Vice President Manabe stated that it is essential to balance innovation and access in the fight against NCDs and the promotion of UHC. He emphasized that in the complex and uncertain international environment we are currently facing, collaboration is even more important now than ever before. He further stated that the key to progress lies in "uniting our strengths," which is achieved through a broad multi-stakeholder partnership that includes the private sector and civil society, while respecting the leadership and priorities of each country.
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PMAJ) will further strengthen public-private partnerships and collaboration with international organizations to contribute to global society through the creation of innovative medicines and to realize healthcare where no one is left behind. He also expressed his willingness to contribute to the establishment of sustainable health systems by leveraging Japan's experience and technology in future international discussions. The event concluded with expectations for the event to be the first step in this direction.
Summary
Through this event, Japan's contribution and potential for international collaboration in combating NCDs and promoting UHC were reaffirmed. Collaboration among the public and private sectors, international organizations, and civil society is indispensable in order to produce the greatest possible effect with limited resources, and the pharmaceutical industry needs to play a part in this effort. The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PAPJ) International Committee will continue to engage in dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders and work toward the realization of sustainable global health.
(International Committee: Chikara Yoshida, Naoko Iizuka)