The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean will convene a meeting at its Cairo premises from October 9 to 12. On Monday, a meeting was held to discuss how to assist the region's countries in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. One of the most pressing concerns for our Gulf countries is the prevalence of chronic diseases, which are on the rise in the region. Chronic diseases, also known as non-infectious diseases, encompass four conditions that develop over extended periods and can be fatal — cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.These diseases now account for more than 60 percent of total deaths worldwide, with approximately 36 million people succumbing to them, a quarter of whom are under the age of 60. Recognizing the severity of this issue, world leaders convened in New York in September 2011 and issued a political declaration to address these diseases. Subsequently, the WHO developed a strategy spanning the years 2013-2020 to implement this declaration. Every country under the United Nations' umbrella committed to this political declaration, with monitoring and reporting on the extent of their compliance.Countries have varied in their response to this commitment, reflecting differences in their resources and priorities. Some nations have made substantial investments in implementing all four commitments, while others have made partial progress. Regrettably, some have primarily demonstrated commitment on paper, and a few have shown little interest in the matter. These responses illustrate the diversity of approaches among nations in addressing chronic diseases. The Kuwait Declaration on confronting chronic diseases, agreed upon by GCC ministries, presents a significant opportunity for our countries to enhance their global standing through improved healthcare.In the GCC countries, we have established a Higher Committee for Chronic Diseases and an active department dedicated to this issue. Additionally, the "eman" network plays a crucial role in monitoring and evaluation, aligning with the third commitment of the international plan. However, the question remains whether our government will take Kuwait's commitment seriously. While progress has been made in some areas, there is still room for improvement, especially in allocating sufficient resources and manpower to the chronic diseases department. In the government sector, we need greater emphasis on addressing the root causes of chronic diseases beyond the health domain.Despite these challenges, we have made strides in the second commitment, focusing on prevention, such as reducing salt consumption, and we've conducted awareness campaigns against cancer and for breastfeeding. We have also made significant progress in the fourth commitment, particularly with the establishment of the palliative care center. Collaboration between various departments, campaigns, and NGOs has played a crucial role in advancing the goals of sustainable development. Organizations like the Patients Helping Fund, Kuwait Volunteer Society and Sidra Society have made valuable contributions through volunteer activities, warranting government support and recognition.While we have achieved some positive indicators, we must address shortcomings promptly. Plans cannot succeed with mere words; they require budgets, dedicated teams and a robust system for tracking progress and adhering to timelines. To make serious headway, we need a comprehensive strategy with alternative plans that foster a positive working environment and ensure the committed implementation of indicators within specified timeframes.If the administrative apparatus in Kuwait rises to the challenge, Kuwait and its Gulf counterparts can aspire to become healthy, advanced nations by 2030. However, failure to take this matter seriously would not make us the worst countries globally, as there are nations facing even greater challenges. Leaders who seek only to compare themselves to those worse off may tread water, but true leaders who love their countries always aim for excellence, and we should all aspire to join them in that pursuit.local@kuwaittimes.com