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REMARKS BY

H.E. AMBASSADOR MUHAMMAD RADZI JAMALUDDIN

ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO 80^TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

AT THE HIGH-LEVEL SIDE EVENT OF UNGA80

LUNG HEALTH MATTERS – ACCELERATING PROGRESS TOWARDS UN NCD TARGETS

 

 

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

This year, at the 78th World Health Assembly, Malaysia together with 15 Member States co-sponsored the resolution on Promoting and Prioritizing an Integrated Lung Health Approach. This resolution calls for a comprehensive and forward-looking agenda to strengthen prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and control of lung diseases, while enhancing the capacities of WHO and Member States across the full spectrum of diseases, risk factors, and age groups.

 

2. The resolution establishes a high-level framework for integrated lung health through whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches. It underscores the importance of strong primary healthcare systems and universal access to lung health services as the cornerstone of effective responses.

 

3. Lung health must be a shared priority. Risk factors such as tobacco use, air pollution, and occupational exposures contribute not only to illness and premature deaths but also to mounting healthcare costs and economic losses. Addressing these drivers is essential to achieving the UN NCD targets.
4. In Malaysia, we have launched the Roadmap for the Lung Health Initiative Malaysia 2025–2030, a holistic plan covering prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, palliative care, and research. The initiative focuses on lung cancer, COPD, asthma, and tuberculosis, alongside key risk factors including smoking, occupational hazards, and environmental determinants.

 

5. Our efforts include nationwide awareness campaigns, stricter tobacco and vaping regulations, multisectoral collaboration to improve air quality, workplace safety improvements and enhanced screening for early detection. Implementation leverages public–private partnerships to mobilise resources, drive innovation, and strengthen service delivery.

 

6. We therefore call for stronger political commitment, increased resource mobilisation and greater accountability to accelerate progress towards the UN NCD targets. By firmly placing lung health within the global NCD and sustainable development agenda, we can reduce premature mortality, improve population health and build healthier, more resilient societies.

 

Thank you.

 

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