The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted at the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development in September 2015, recognises noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) as a major challenge for sustainable development. NCDs were not addressed in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). As part of the Agenda, Heads of State and Government committed to develop national responses to the overall implementation of this Agenda , including to:  

i.Reduce by one third premature mortality from NCDs

ii.Strengthen responses to reduce the harmful use of alcohol

iii.Achieve universal health coverage (UHC)

iv.Strengthen the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)

v.Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for NCDs that primarily affect developing countries

vi.Provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines for NCDs