UN Political Declaration on NCDs – What it means for alcohol policy

The United Nations General Assembly has formally adopted the Political Declaration of the High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health on 15 December 2025. This declaration reaffirms commitments to accelerate action on NCD prevention and control, while integrating mental health as a core component of the global health agenda.

The Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA), welcomes this development and calls for urgent action in response. Alcohol use remains a major risk factor for NCDs, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and liver disease, as well as for mental health conditions.

As GAPA highlighted during the negotiation process, the declaration makes only limited reference to alcohol, and there is no specific target to reduce alcohol consumption. It does, however, request Member States to “Consider introducing or increasing taxes on tobacco and alcohol to support health objectives, in line with national circumstances” (paragraph 43) and encourage use of the key international instruments for alcohol control:

“Reduce the harmful use of alcohol through accelerating the implementation of the Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol of 2010 and the global alcohol action plan 2022–2030, including by considering marketing and availability measures;” (paragraph 44. f.)

Through this the Political Declaration acknowledges the need for stronger implementation of cost-effective interventions in the WHO SAFER alcohol policy initiative – including “best buy” alcohol policy measures such as:

  • Regulating availability of alcohol
  • Restricting alcohol marketing
  • Increasing excise taxes

These measures are proven to reduce alcohol harm and prevent related NCDs.

GAPA also welcomes the inclusion of commercial and market factors in paragraph 42, although the research and growing evidence into the role of “commercial determinants of health” are not sufficiently reflected in the declaration. Addressing the commercial determinants is critical given the influence of the alcohol industry in shaping policy environments and undermining public health measures. GAPA calls on Member States to:

  • Prioritize public health over commercial interests
  • Ensure policy-making processes are protected from influence by commercial interests
  • Allocate adequate resources for alcohol policy implementation

As the world moves toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the adoption of this declaration must translate into concrete action. Alcohol harm is preventable, and effective policies are available. GAPA urges governments, civil society, and international partners to seize this moment to strengthen alcohol control as part of comprehensive NCD and mental health strategies.

Read the about the UN High Level Meeting on NCDs&MH and the Political Declaration

See GAPA’s positions through the process towards the 4th UN HLM on NCDs&MH