The panel for selection of FCTC 2030 partner Parties included the Convention Secretariat, WHO, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the project funder(s).

The selection panel reviewed information provided in an application form that described how resources made available through the project would assist the applicant country to advance WHO FCTC implementation. The panel also took into consideration information provided in the latest report on the implementation of the WHO FCTC, and prioritized support for Parties which may not have already received substantial amounts of assistance for tobacco control from other sources.

A country that met the following inclusion criteria could apply for selection as a FCTC 2030 Partner Party:

• is a Party to the WHO FCTC;
• has a political commitment to accelerate implementation of the WHO FCTC in the country and a willingness to offer leadership regionally and globally to encourage WHO FCTC implementation; and
• is included on the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list of ODA recipients

The selection panel considered the following criteria when selecting the FCTC 2030 Partner Parties:

• Ambition to accelerate implementation of the WHO FCTC, particularly the WHO FCTC time-bound measures;
• Intention to strengthen tobacco taxation;
• Readiness to accelerate implementation of the WHO FCTC, particularly through a commitment to multisectoral action and the full implementation of the obligations under Article 5 of the WHO FCTC;
• Understanding of the development dimensions of WHO FCTC implementation and how this will benefit achievement of the SDGs;
• Desire to receive the type of technical implementation assistance being offered through the project;
• A willingness to undertake, or have already taken part in a WHO FCTC Needs Assessment; and
• Payment of WHO FCTC assessed contributions, or a commitment to do so in line with Conference of the Parties decision FCTC/COP7(23).