New york city: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (UNIATF) awarded Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health (MOH) a 2025 UN Inter-Agency Task Force Award at the 10th annual Friends of the Task Force Meeting in New York City, held during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80).
According to Saudi Press Agency, the award recognizes comprehensive, innovative policies to address obesity and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including the Sehhaty app; Seha Virtual Hospital, the world’s largest; community initiatives such as the Healthy Cities Program and Walk 30, which engaged more than 1 million citizens; nutrition policies imposing a sugar-sweetened beverage tax and eliminating industrial trans fats; and a ministerial committee for Health in All Policies to integrate health considerations across regulations.
The recognition underscores rapid progress in the health sector and strengthens Saudi Arabia’s role in efforts to prevent NCDs and advance health-related Sustainable Development Goals.
