A/HRC/26/31 litigation may create a chilling effect where States would refrain from formulating such policies in the first place.84 In order to reduce the global and domestic burden of NCDs and ensure that health concerns override trade relations, States need to collaborate by supporting localized and suitable food systems and ensuring that domestic policy space on nutritional systems is protected.85 When entering into investment agreements, host States should take assertive steps and mention clear and explicit exceptions to investments that may harm public health.86 59. In addition, States should extend their assistance to low- and middle-income countries, which, due to their limited resources, may be unable to attain required nutrition standards, leading to an increased burden of NCDs.87 In such cases, States should extend their assistance through technology transfer, capacity-building and, where necessary, by providing monetary support (A/RES/66/2). This will help ensure that States lacking sufficient expertise develop and sustain the requisite technology to take preventive actions against NCDs. 60. Political commitment towards diet-related NCDs at the international level has so far been weak. NCDs have traditionally not been given importance in international policies, including the Millennium Development Goals.88 International aid agencies providing health-related assistance to low- and middle-income countries have not sufficiently prioritized NCDs there.89 Only recently have international and regional organizations shifted their focus and called upon Governments, the private sector and non-governmental organizations to come together to take steps towards prevention of NCDs across regions.90 In formulating the post-2015 development agenda, States have commendably shown unprecedented political will to address the reduction and prevention of NCDs,91 and Governments have been urged to reduce the burden of NCDs by 2025.92 There is increasing recognition among Governments of the link between unhealthy diets and NCDs and the challenges they pose for development (A/RES/66/2). 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 20 “A new generation of trade policy” (see footnote 78 above), p. 5. Joint statement of Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers at the 2010 APEC Ministerial Meeting, Yokohama, 11 November 2010. Available from http://www.apec.org/MeetingPapers/Ministerial-Statements/Annual/2010/2010_amm.aspx. Anne Marie Thowa and Benn McGrady, “Protecting policy space for public health nutrition in an era of international investment agreements”, Bulletin of the World Health Organization, vol. 92 p. 142. Available from http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/92/2/13-120543.pdf. NCD Alliance, “Food, nutrition, diet and non-communicable diseases”, available from http://www.wcrf.org/PDFs/PPA_NCD_Alliance_Nutrition.pdf. Shanthi Mendis, “The policy agenda for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases”, British Medical Bulletin, vol. 96, No. 1 (2010), p. 37. G.F. Anderson, “Missing in action: international aid agencies in poor countries to fight chronic disease”, Health Affairs, vol. 28, No. 1 (January–February 2009), pp. 202–203. Prevention and control of non-communicable diseases: Report of the Secretary-General (A/66/83); Pan American Health Organization, CARMEN: an Initiative for Integration of Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases in the Americas (Washington D.C., 2003). Available from http://www.paho.org/carmen/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/CARMEN-General-Overview.pdf. A new global partnership: eradicate poverty and transform economies through sustainable Development: report of the High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, p. 38. Available from http://www.un.org/sg/management/pdf/HLP_P2015_Report.pdf. WHO, Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases 2013–2020 (Geneva, 2013), Objective 3, pp. 31–32. Available from http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/94384/1/9789241506236_eng.pdf?ua=1.