Following the Political Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2011, WHO developed a global monitoring framework to enable global tracking of progress in preventing and controlling major noncommunicable diseases – cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic lung diseases and diabetes – and their key risk factors.

The framework is comprised of nine global targets and 25 indicators and was adopted by Member States during the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May 2013. Member States are encouraged to consider the development of national NCD targets and indicators building on the global framework.

The nine voluntary global targets are aimed at combatting global mortality from the four main NCDs, accelerating action against the leading risk factors for NCDs and strengthening national health system responses. The mortality target – a 25% reduction in premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases by 2025 – was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2012.

The framework is expected to drive progress in prevention and control of NCDs and provide the foundation for advocacy, raising awareness, reinforcing political commitment and promoting global action to tackle these deadly diseases. The framework will also help shape a new development agenda that advances the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic development, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion.