Restoring Meaning, Ambition and Impact to Alcohol Policy

On September 25, 2025 Heads of State and Government will meet at the UN General Assembly to set a new global vision for NCDs prevention and mental health promotion - through what is meant to be an ambitious and achievable Political Declaration.

But Movendi’s analysis reveals a serious threat: Alcohol industry interference has quietly erased proven, cost-effective alcohol policy solutions from the declaration - despite alcohol being the leading risk factor for death and disease among young people worldwide.

📣 The silence has been broken. Countries still disagree. And we have a crucial window of opportunity to make our voices heard.

The ...

On September 25, 2025 Heads of State and Government will meet at the UN General Assembly to set a new global vision for NCDs prevention and mental health promotion - through what is meant to be an ambitious and achievable Political Declaration.

But Movendi’s analysis reveals a serious threat: Alcohol industry interference has quietly erased proven, cost-effective alcohol policy solutions from the declaration - despite alcohol being the leading risk factor for death and disease among young people worldwide.

📣 The silence has been broken. Countries still disagree. And we have a crucial window of opportunity to make our voices heard.

The third revision of the UN Political Declaration reintroduces references to two alcohol policy measures. But it still falls far short of what is needed - ignoring WHO-endorsed solutions global evidence and the commitments Member States themselves adopted just three years ago.

Why This Matters Now

If countries are serious about accelerating NCDs prevention and promoting mental health they must restore clarity coherence and scientific integrity to how alcohol harm and policy is addressed.

We have outlined six concrete, constructive changes that governments can make to bring alcohol policy back into focus.

💬 We invite you to email your country’s Permanent Mission in New York to encourage them to adopt these changes - and help restore meaning, ambition, and impact to the UN Political Declaration.

Click here to see our latest analysis and the six concrete constructive recommendations.

Read here to find out all about the HLM4 on NCDs and about Movendi's analysis.

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Restore meaning, ambition and impact to alcohol policy

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Why This Matters Now

If countries are serious about accelerating NCDs prevention and promoting mental health they must restore clarity coherence and scientific integrity to how alcohol harm and policy is addressed.

We have outlined six concrete, constructive changes that governments can make to bring alcohol policy back into focus.

6 Key Fixes to Strengthen the Declaration

Use accurate language
Complete §43(f): Keep best buys and add missing SAFER measures
Add treatment: Include screening and brief interventions in health service scale-up
Restore tax target: Reinsert the 80% excise tax goal for alcohol and tobacco
Protect policymaking: Add language on industry interference and commercial determinants.
Accelerate action: Align with the Global Alcohol Action Plan and add fast-track commitment

💬 We invite you to email your country’s Permanent Mission in New York to encourage them to adopt these changes - and help restore meaning, ambition, and impact to the UN Political Declaration.

1. Find your Permanent Mission in NYC

2. Enter your details

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Email

3. Make your email count

Subject:

Dear Ambassador / Permanent Representative,

I am writing to urge your leadership in ensuring that the upcoming UN Political Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health fulfills its promise to accelerate prevention and promote well-being worldwide.

Alcohol harm is a major but under-addressed driver of NCDs and mental health conditions. The current draft falls behind previously agreed language and ambitions for accelerating action on alcohol harm as public health priority and misses critical opportunities for coherent, science-based action. Governments now have the chance to restore clarity, ambition, and impact to alcohol policy within the declaration.

We respectfully call on you and your delegation to support six concrete, constructive improvements:
1. Replace 'harmful use of alcohol' with 'alcohol harm' or 'per capita alcohol consumption' for clarity and scientific accuracy.
2. Retain in §43(f), the two alcohol policy best buys on availability limits and advertising bans, and include the missing SAFER interventions: screening and brief interventions as well as driving under the influence of alcohol counter-measures.
3. Include alcohol screening and brief interventions among treatment and prevention commitments (§57).
4. Reinsert the 80% taxation target for alcohol and tobacco (§43).
5. Introduce language acknowledging and protecting against alcohol industry interference and the commercial determinants of health (§42).
6. Align the declaration with the ambition, momentum, and global consensus of the Global Alcohol Action Plan to accelerate alcohol policy action by addressing alcohol harm as public health priority: Include fast-track action for alcohol policy in §41.

Here you can find the concrete, detailed, and constructive suggestions for improvements to the declaration: https://movendi.ngo/policy-updates/2025/08/18/alcohol-policy-in-rev-3-half-a-step-forward-many-steps-missing/

Your voice in these negotiations can ensure that the declaration reflects both scientific evidence and global commitments - delivering measurable progress in protecting health, preventing disease, and safeguarding the right to well-being for all.

I count on your leadership to ensure these crucial improvements are made.

With respect and appreciation,

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