Prof. Suma Krishnasastry

Check out new webstory: Countries unite to accelerate action on #obesity - Ministers call to action ahead of 2026 Global Stocktake. In a powerful demonstration of global commitment, a side event at the seventy-eighth #WHA78 World Health Assembly, “How the WHO Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity is Unlocking Country Action” convened Ministers of Health and senior officials from across the world. Co-hosted by the Governments of #Spain and #Mexico, in collaboration with the WHO, @UNICEF, and @un_ncd UN Inter-Agency Task Force on NCDs, the event served as a crucial checkpoint on the road to the 2026 Global Stocktaking of the obesity response. Marking three years since the launch of the @WHO Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity, the event celebrated early successes and galvanized momentum for the next phase of action toward 2030. “Obesity is a crisis, one we must tackle with urgency, resolve, and cross-sectoral collaboration. The WHO Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity has transformed words into action,” said Dr Luz Maria De Regil, WHO Director for Nutrition and Food Safety, in her opening. The opening segment also featured strong regional leadership, with remarks from Dr. @hans_kluge, WHO Regional Director @WHO_Europe who emphasized the urgency and scale of the obesity crisis. Dr @francelletti, WHO Senior Advisor on Obesity, delivering a presentation said “Acceleration and impact are underway—progress is visible, and frontrunner countries are proving it's possible. The most effective responses combine population-wide action, #health system transformation and integration of obesity chronic care programs, and clear delivery.” Political leadership and country impact A high-level ministerial panel, moderated by H.E. Ambassador Marcos Gómez Martínez, Permanent Representative of Spain to the UN in Geneva, showcased how countries are translating the Acceleration Plan into national strategies: H.E. Dr @Monica_Garcia_G, Minister of Health @sanidadgob, Spain, shared early outcomes from national interventions and announced the Spain will host the 2026 Global Stocktaking Summit on Obesity. She emphasized the need for public policies to focus not only on the #treatment but, above all, on the prevention of childhood obesity, especially taking into account wider social determinants. H.E. Dr David Kershenobich Stalnikowitz, Secretary of Health, Mexico shared progress under the national ’Vive Saludable, Vive Feliz’ initiative and issued a strong call to action. “Obesity is a development and social justice issue. At the UNGA High-Level Meeting on #NCDs, we must commit to bold action, regulating unhealthy food marketing, using fiscal policies, and ensuring access to treatment. The cost of inaction is too high.” H.E. Dr. Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Health, #Brunei Darussalam; H.E. Prof. Mohamed Hassany, Assistant Minister of Health and Population, #Egypt; and H.E. Dr. Nor Fariza binti Ngah, Deputy Director, Noncommunicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, #Malaysia each echoed a clear call to action. Together they voiced support for impactful, collective outcomes at the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on NCDs in September 2025, and reaffirmed commitment to the 2026 Global Stocktaking hosted by Spain. Unlocking progress through accountability and partnership @DrTomFrieden, President and CEO of @ResolveTSL, urged participants to demonstrate political courage and invest in sustained action. A powerful intervention came from Vicky Mooney, who having experience of living with obesity, reminded participants that the response must go beyond prevention to ensure that millions of people living with obesity are not left behind. This call underscored the need for a truly inclusive response that integrates treatment, support, and health system strengthening alongside preventive action. @BreroMauro, Senior Nutrition Advisor @UNICEF, closed the event by stressing the essential role of food systems transformation for population health and well-being. Five years to meet the #SDG targets As the world looks ahead to 2026 and beyond, the WHO Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity is proving to be a powerful catalyst to halt obesity through political commitment, strategic partnerships, community engagement, and people-centered health systems. A bold, unified message needed to inform the 2025 UN High-level Meeting #HLM4 on NCDs, mental health and wellbeing and to demonstrate stronger impact at the 2026 Global Stocktaking Summit. By 2030, the world must reach the SDG targets, which will require integrated approach to obesity and its comorbidities, and the provision of support to millions of people living with and at risk of #overweight and obesity. The science is clear, The tools are available. Now is the time to turn growing momentum into lasting change. uniatf.who.int/about-us/news…