Background
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions remain among the leading causes of morbidity, mortality and economic burden globally. Despite growing political commitment, progress in addressing NCDs and mental health continues to be constrained by insufficient financing, weak financial protection, and limited access to affordable medicines and services. Building on the momentum of the first and second dialogues in the series held in 2018 and 2024 respectively, the Third International Dialogue on Sustainable Financing for NCDs and Mental Health will focus on how countries can translate policy commitments into actionable reforms across financing, procurement, regulation, and service delivery.
Hosted by the Government of The Philippines, in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the Asian Development Bank, this in-person Dialogue is being convened at a pivotal moment. Coming less than a year since the endorsement of the Political Declaration of the fourth high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being, it will provide a timely opportunity for invited countries and international partners to share experiences and plans in relation to health financing and related commitments set out in the Political Declaration, including strengthened financial protection, strategic purchasing and access to essential medicines. The Dialogue will also explore the opportunities afforded by the loss of patent protection for several high-impact medicines in 2026, including certain glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
Objectives
To align political commitment with coordinated implementation that strengthens sustainable financing and health system reform for NCDs and mental health, with a focus on leveraging the 2026 generics and biosimilars transition to accelerate financial protection and UHC integration
Expected outcomes
- ManilaDeclaration on Sustainable Financing and Health System Reform for NCDs and Mental HealthAn action-oriented statement reaffirming commitments to UHC, financial protection, and equitable access, articulating priority reforms across the policy, practice and pricing continuum, including a section dedicated to capitalizing on the 2026 access pivot, related to access to generic and biosimilar medicines.
- Regional Initiative on Access to NCD MedicinesThe Dialogue will introduce a regional initiative on access to NCD medicines, highlighting its strategic value in improving accelerated introduction of quality-assured generics, pricing, affordability, and market access, particularly for LMICs.
- Practical guide for sustainable financing for NCDs and mental healthA practical guidance resource supporting countries in operationalizing options for financing and strategic purchasing reforms, including tools across the policy, practice, and pricing continuum.
- Consolidated Country Commitments and Insights (Dialogue Report)A synthesis of commitments, implementation priorities, reform pathways and shared lessons from participating countries and partners, identifying areas for coordinated technical assistance and partner support.
Side events
Organizations interested in organizing a side event around the time of the Third Dialogue are welcome to do so on Tuesday, 1 September 2026 or Thursday, 3 September 2026, following the conclusion of the day’s sessions
To obtain the contact details of the Third Dialogue’s venue focal point, please contact 3rdncdmhid@doh.gov.ph. Please note that side events will be organized independently and are not part of the official Third Dialogue programme
For more information, please contact: financingdialoguencdmh@who.int
