Global health leaders urge UN to prioritize kidney disease in the Political Declaration of the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs

In a powerful open letter issued in June 2025, leading organizations from the global kidney health community are urging United Nations Member States to explicitly include kidney disease in the Political Declaration of the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs scheduled for September 25, 2025. 

The open letter highlights the economic and health benefits of early intervention. For every dollar spent on early detection and management, up to $45 can be saved in long-term healthcare costs. The recent adoption of the first kidney-focused resolution by the World Health Assembly (WHA78), led by Guatemala, reinforces the global mandate for earlier detection and better access to care in line with Sustainable Development Goals 3.4 and 3.8. 

Yet the initial draft of the 2025 Political Declaration fails to mention kidney disease. Including it would reflect global consensus, build on existing commitments, and support a more inclusive, cost-effective, and equitable global NCD response. 

Now is the time to act and ensure kidney disease is not left behind!