A significant moment for global kidney health arrived on 15 December 2025, when governments endorsed a new UN Political Declaration on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health. For the first time, kidney disease was explicitly included within the international NCD framework — a long‑awaited recognition for a condition that affects millions.
This acknowledgement reflects what healthcare professionals and people living with kidney disease have emphasised for years: chronic kidney disease contributes substantially to illness, premature death, and strain on health systems worldwide, yet has frequently been absent from major policy discussions.
The UN declaration builds on another major step taken earlier in 2025, when the World Health Organization adopted its Kidney Health Resolution. Together, these decisions signal a clear shift toward elevating kidney health as a global priority.