The UN General Assembly has decided to hold a UN Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The Summit will focus on the four most prominent non-communicable diseases, namely, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. The aim of the summit is to agree on a global strategy to address NCDs.

The UN Summit on NCDs is the second of its kind to focus on a global disease issue. The first UN Summit related to health was the HIV/AIDS meeting in 2001 which led to the creation of the Global Fund.

Non-communicable disease indicators are on the agenda for discussion during the Millennium Development Goals Review Session, 20-22 September 2011 in New York. Acceptance could lead to the future earmarking of overseas development aid to address cancer and other NCDs in developing countries.