A total of 6 signature initiatives addressing priority NCD issues were created. Each was led by a member of WHO staff, and a working group of councillors was assigned to each of them.

1. Alcohol taxation

In a nutshell: Enhancing the untapped potential of alcohol taxes as health taxes – a WHO benchmark to reduce alcohol affordability and save lives.

Lead: Carina Ferreira-Borges, Regional Adviser, Alcohol, Illicit Drugs and Prison Health, WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD Office)

This Signature Initiative was launched in February 2022, at a high-level meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania, involving all ministers of health of the 3 Baltic states.

2. Childhood obesity

In a nutshell: Ensuring a healthier future for the European Region’s children by tackling childhood overweight and obesity.

Lead: Kremlin Wickramasinghe, ad interim Regional Adviser, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, NCD Office

3. Reducing CVD burden (hypertension and salt)

In a nutshell: Reducing inequalities in CVD burden and high blood pressure prevalence, through improving hypertension control in primary health care, and implementing salt reduction strategies.

Co-leads: Jill Farrington, Regional Medical Officer, Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes, Division of Country Health Programmes, WHO/Europe; and Clare Farrand, Technical Officer/Pyi Pyi Phyo, ad interim Technical Officer, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, NCD Office

4. Data and digital health

In a nutshell: The big unlock – harnessing the power of data and digital health in NCD prevention.

Lead: Ivo Rakovac, Regional Adviser, NCD Surveillance, NCD Office

5. Digital marketing

In a nutshell: Protecting children and young people from exposure to unhealthy products in digital contexts.

Lead: Kremlin Wickramasinghe, ad interim Regional Adviser, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, NCD Office

6. Greener and healthier cities

In a nutshell: Reducing air pollution and improving air quality by urban planning to support cycling and waking and use of sustainable transport.

Co-leads: Dorota Jarosinska, Programme Manager, Living and Working Environments, WHO European Centre for Environment and Health; and Stephen Whiting, Technical Officer, NCD Office