Caribbean regional stakeholder meeting highlights urgency on NCDs and mental health

On July 30th, 2025, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC), in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), hosted the Caribbean Regional Stakeholder Meeting in support of the upcoming 4th UN High-Level Meeting (HLM4) on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health. The virtual event also marked the 18th anniversary of the 2007 Port of Spain Declaration on NCDs.

The meeting brought together over 200 participants from civil society, government, regional institutions, and international partners. The objectives of the webinar included:

• Reflecting on progress made in the Caribbean since the 2007 Port of Spain Declaration, including achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Exploring NCD priorities and strategies within CARICOM to accelerate action in the lead-up to and beyond HLM4.
• Discussing approaches to prevent new NCD cases and improve the lives of individuals living with NCDs.

During the meeting, Sir George Alleyne, Director Emeritus of PAHO and Patron of the HCC, referenced a line from Barbadian calypsonian Grynner—“We want more, Grynner. We want more”—to express the desire for increased efforts in addressing NCDs and mental health in the region. He stated, “We just wish more to be done.”

Participants engaged in dialogue on the current state of NCDs and mental health in the Caribbean, emphasizing the importance of leadership, policy development, and regional collaboration to meet the health-related targets of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

The stakeholder meeting served as a preparatory forum ahead of the 4th UN High-Level Meeting, scheduled for September 25th, 2025, at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Watch the webinar video below.