In December, the adoption of the Political Declaration of the Fourth High-Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on NCDs and Mental Health, or HLM4, marked a historic turning point. For the first time, kidney health has been explicitly recognized and prioritized within the broader NCD and mental health agenda. The Political Declaration builds on last year’s World Health Organization resolution on kidney health and shifts the focus from global commitments to implementation at country level: ensuring that comprehensive kidney care is an essential, available, and affordable component of every national health system.
Hosted by Devex and the International Society of Nephrology, this event will explore how integrating the full continuum of kidney care — from primary-level prevention and early detection to sustainable care models — can strengthen health systems and advance progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3.8 to achieve universal health coverage. Addressing the global burden of kidney disease is a key factor in the long-term viability of UHC in terms of fiscal sustainability, financial protection, and healthcare coverage. As the global community looks ahead to the 2027 UN High-Level Meeting on UHC, this session will demonstrate that a health system capable of managing kidney disease is a system capable of achieving UHC for all.
This agenda is evolving and subject to change. Check back for more updates!
Dr. Marcello Tonelli
President, International Society of Nephrology
Kate Warren
Executive Vice President and Executive Editor, Devex
Dr. Stephen Mutiso
Lead of the renal program and alternate chair of the cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic health technical working group, Ministry of Health, Kenya
Prof Smeeta Sinha
National clinical director for renal services, NHS England
Interviewed by: Kate Warren
Executive Vice President and Executive Editor, Devex
Dr. Marcello Tonelli
President, International Society of Nephrology
Sushant Anand
Director of international value & access, Novartis
Interviewed by: Kate Warren
Executive Vice President and Executive Editor, Devex
Dr. Marcello Tonelli
President, International Society of Nephrology
Magnus Lindholm
President, Europe, Middle East and Africa region, Vantive
Dr. Viviana Martinez-Bianchi
President, WONCA Association
Interviewed by: Kate Warren
Executive Vice President and Executive Editor, Devex
Dr. Marcello Tonelli
President, International Society of Nephrology
Kate Warren
Executive Vice President and Executive Editor, Devex
Stay tuned for more speaker announcements coming soon!
Director of international value & access, Novartis
President, Europe, Middle East and Africa region, Vantive
President, WONCA Association
Lead of the renal program and alternate chair of the cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic health technical working group, Ministry of Health, Kenya
National clinical director for renal services, NHS England
President, International Society of Nephrology
Executive Vice President and Executive Editor, Devex