At the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, held in Apia, Samoa, 1–4 September 2014, Pacific Island leaders launched the Pacific Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Partnership. This initiative is a response to the recognition that Pacific islands have some of the highest incidences per capita of NCDs in the world, and that these NCDs have significant social, economic and health-related impacts. One of the consequences of the NCDs Partnership is that the majority of island states’ health budgets are to be directed towards treating these diseases. For this panel it is envisaged that 4-6 papers will be presented covering: the growth of NCDs in the region; the dimensions of how and why this growth has occurred over time; and innovative initiatives that are in place or which may be needed to combat NCDs in the region. An emphasis will be placed on the Pacific region’s changing relations over time (from community-level interactions to international trade) and how these interconnections may have contributed to the NCD burden, as well as present opportunities for intervention. Following the PACE-NET+ Think Tanks in Bremen (September 2014), the overarching theme of the panel will be partnership – in terms of relations between both Pacific and European government agencies and also civil society stakeholders – in addressing NCDs. The role of European partners in the past, present and future of NCDs in the Pacific will be considered, as will the possibilities presented by Pacific island experiences for understanding and addressing the rising burden of NCDs in Europe.
Paper submissions are closed