Georgia’s Health Minister, Mikheil Sarjveladze, participated in the UN High-Level Meeting on the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NCDs) on September 25, 2025, as part of the 80th UN General Assembly.

High-ranking officials from participating countries set out a new vision for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, as well as the promotion of mental health and well-being. An ambitious and achievable Political Declaration was adopted.
Minister Sarjveladze addressed the summit with a presentation.

According to the Ministry of Health, the Minister shared Georgia’s experience in preventing and managing noncommunicable diseases with the assembled community. He spoke about the results of the Universal Healthcare Programme and ongoing reforms.

“It is a great honour for me to represent Georgia at this high-level meeting of the General Assembly and to contribute to developing a renewed vision aimed at preventing and managing noncommunicable diseases, as well as promoting mental health and well-being.

Our Universal Healthcare Programme has covered more than 95% of the population since 2013. We have undertaken reforms in both healthcare delivery and pharmaceutical regulation, including the introduction of reference pricing mechanisms and direct procurement of medicines.

These steps have significantly reduced the financial burden for managing chronic diseases and accessing oncological preparations. Over the past two years, Georgia has increased funding for innovative treatment of cancer and other chronic diseases. It has expanded the rare diseases programme to ensure beneficiaries have access to life-saving services.

This year, we launched a comprehensive primary healthcare reform aimed at ensuring that all citizens have access to preventive, screening, diagnostic and therapeutic services at the primary care level,” declared Mikheil Sarjveladze.

According to the Minister, equity is the fundamental principle.

“Equity is our fundamental principle. We are working to ensure that vulnerable groups, including rural populations and internally displaced persons, have equal access to healthcare services.

In conclusion, I want to emphasise that Georgia fully supports the Political Declaration of this high-level meeting. The prevention and management of non-communicable diseases is not only a public health priority but a moral obligation. On the path forward, we are ready to work together to achieve our common goals,” declared Mikheil Sarjveladze.

The event was also attended by David Bakradze, Georgia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, who actively participated in the high-level meetings and thematic discussions.

Mikheil Sarjveladze was on an official visit to the United States. As part of the UN General Assembly, the Health Minister participated in high-level meetings and panel discussions. He held meetings with World Health Organisation leadership and fellow Ministers.