Science Summit at the 81st United Nations General Assembly
On the 17th of September 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm New York time, CLAN, @MATES4Kids, and Lehigh University will co-host a side event at the Science Summit during the 81st UN General Assembly (UNGA 81).
Titled "Uniting Childhood NCD Communities to Improve Access to Essential Medicines and Technologies", this event will:
- facilitate sharing of world-class evidence, research and best practice to inform ongoing efforts to redress existing inequities for childhood NCD communities in lower-income countries
- inform final drafting of a proposed 2027 WHA Resolution on affordable access to essential medicines and technologies for children living with NCDs
- unite a broad range of childhood NCDs with the shared language, vision and networks needed to drive collective and collaborative action to reduce preventable child mortality
- clarify the existing (and required) science, research and evidence needed to drive equitable and sustainable change for child health.
A summary of our session:
At the 64th Session of the Commission for Social Development, childhood NCD leaders identified the need for urgent action to improve affordable access to essential medicines and technologies for childhood NCDs. More than 2.1 billion children and adolescents under 20 years of age are affected by NCDs, yet access to essential medicines, diagnostics and health technologies remains deeply unequal. In childhood, delayed diagnosis and interrupted treatment can lead to avoidable complications, disability, preventable death and lifelong consequences for growth, development and well-being. Existing equity gaps reflect broader health-system failures. Equitable, affordable and continuous access to essential health products is both a child health right and a health systems imperative. Objectives
This session will unite a broad range of childhood NCD community leaders and allies to present: - the rationale and evidence for a proposed 2027 Resolution on access to essential medicines and technologies for childhood NCDs and - innovative solutions and case studies to inform translation of policy to action Scope This session will highlight the cross-cutting, primary health care strengthening nature of the proposed Resolution, and benefit for children living with NCDs for which there are already medicines, diagnostics and technologies on World Health Organisation Essential Lists (WHO EMLs) - including, but not limited to the Asthma, Diabetes, Sickle Cell Disease, Cancer, Rheumatic Heart Disease, Adrenal Insufficiency, Epilepsy and Hypothyroidism Communities in lower income countries. The session will align with multiple global frameworks and agendas, including: - The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and Post-SDG Transition - Global NCD Frameworks (including the Political Declaration from the 4th UN High Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health) - The 3rd UN High Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage - Celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the WHO EML and 20th Anniversary of the WHO EML for Children (EMLc). Target theme and scientific area The session will exemplify resilience in action, amplifying childhood NCD community voices and demonstrating how science, policy, financing and community solutions must unite for change. Successful implementation case studies will show how research is translated into action to bridge gaps, with innovations collaboratively delivered by community and allies at the frontline to achieve the SDGs.
This session will unite a broad range of childhood NCD community leaders and allies to present: - the rationale and evidence for a proposed 2027 Resolution on access to essential medicines and technologies for childhood NCDs and - innovative solutions and case studies to inform translation of policy to action Scope This session will highlight the cross-cutting, primary health care strengthening nature of the proposed Resolution, and benefit for children living with NCDs for which there are already medicines, diagnostics and technologies on World Health Organisation Essential Lists (WHO EMLs) - including, but not limited to the Asthma, Diabetes, Sickle Cell Disease, Cancer, Rheumatic Heart Disease, Adrenal Insufficiency, Epilepsy and Hypothyroidism Communities in lower income countries. The session will align with multiple global frameworks and agendas, including: - The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and Post-SDG Transition - Global NCD Frameworks (including the Political Declaration from the 4th UN High Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health) - The 3rd UN High Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage - Celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the WHO EML and 20th Anniversary of the WHO EML for Children (EMLc). Target theme and scientific area The session will exemplify resilience in action, amplifying childhood NCD community voices and demonstrating how science, policy, financing and community solutions must unite for change. Successful implementation case studies will show how research is translated into action to bridge gaps, with innovations collaboratively delivered by community and allies at the frontline to achieve the SDGs.
FROM BOUNDARIES TO BREAKTHROUGH
Science for a Regenerative and Equitable Future
Science Summit 2026 will focus on how science, technology, and innovation can drive regeneration — restoring ecosystems, rebuilding equity, and renewing trust in the scientific enterprise. It will explore the transition from boundaries to breakthroughs, where knowledge becomes the catalyst for global transformation.
The Science Summit 2025 highlighted the urgency of operating within the planetary boundaries — the environmental thresholds that define the safe space for humanity. In 2026, the world moves from understanding the limits to defining the pathways forward.
This Summit will bring together leaders from science, policy, finance, civil society, and industry to identify the mechanisms that can scale innovation, mobilize capital, and govern technologies responsibly to achieve a regenerative and inclusive global economy.
The Science Summit 2025 highlighted the urgency of operating within the planetary boundaries — the environmental thresholds that define the safe space for humanity. In 2026, the world moves from understanding the limits to defining the pathways forward.
This Summit will bring together leaders from science, policy, finance, civil society, and industry to identify the mechanisms that can scale innovation, mobilize capital, and govern technologies responsibly to achieve a regenerative and inclusive global economy.
