His Excellency, Mr Dragoslav Šćekić, Minister of Health of Montenegro,
Dr Brajovic, Head of the WHO Country Office for Montenegro,
Representatives from FCTC 2030 project countries and donors,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning and welcome to the FCTC 2030 project annual meeting for 2023.
This is, in fact, the first time that we have been able to arrange a meeting for FCTC 2030 project countries since the COVID pandemic. COVID was such an enormous challenge for us all. There is no doubt that tobacco made the pandemic even worse.
We are gathered here in the beautiful city of Budva with one thing in common. We are all committed to tobacco control. I thank the Government of Montenegro that this year’s meeting can be held in your country.
Tobacco is such an enormous problem for health and wellbeing of people, families and communities.
Tobacco kills over 8.7 million people in the world every year. And it is not just the individual smoker who is harmed. More than 1.3 million people die every year from diseases caused because they are exposed to secondhand smoke, quite often in the home. And it is children who are particularly vulnerable.
The FCTC 2030 project was set up to support low- and middle-income countries that are Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control – the WHO FCTC.
The intensive support we have offered to FCTC 2030 project countries is in addition to the usual offer of support provided by the Convention Secretariat, where we provide technical assistance, facilitate contacts with other implementation that can help, and offer political engagement.
In all of the FCTC 2030 project countries, we have witnessed a diverse range of tobacco control activities undertaken. At the heart of the FCTC 2030 project is policy change, and we encourage countries to move ahead with achieving their priority tobacco control objectives, particularly in the area of legislation. During this meeting, we have the opportunity for everyone to share their country experiences and achievements made through the support of FCTC 2030.
The reason for offering the project is because tobacco use is becoming an increasing problem with around 80% of the world's 1.3 billion tobacco users today living in low- and middle-income countries.
We must be particularly concerned that children and young people continued to take up the use of tobacco. No doubt the efforts of tobacco companies has a significant role in encouraging youth uptake. The tobacco industry has a long history of undermining and subverting tobacco control efforts, which is why we must seek to protect public health from these vested and commercial interests.
Tobacco is not only harming public health, but it is clearly a barrier to sustainable development.
Sustainable development is made up of three elements: social development, environmental development and economic development. Tobacco has negative impacts on all of these.
During our meeting this week, we will have the opportunity to look in detail at why the WHO FCTC is known as an accelerator for sustainable development.
We need to take decisive action to protect our communities and our future generations from the harms of tobacco. The way to do this is through the full implementation of the WHO FCTC and the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.
The WHO FCTC sets out a wide range of evidence-based measures for governments to take for effective tobacco control.
The WHO FCTC measures are obligations for all Parties to take, and I especially wish to highlight the need to implement the timebound measures in the Convention as a priority – ensuring tobacco packs have large and effective health warnings; banning all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and introducing comprehensive smokefree requirements.
During this meeting we will seek to promote ongoing international cooperation among all FCTC 2030 project countries. We have included capacity building sessions on key WHO FCTC measures in the agenda. And, we will have the opportunity to engage in strategic planning for future.
From the outset of our meeting, please let me recognize the efforts and achievements that have been made by all Parties represented on the implementation of the WHO FCTC. Through the FCTC 2030 project, the Convention Secretariat is proud to be a partner in your efforts.
I wish to thank our key delivery partners for the FCTC 2030 project – the WHO and UN Development Programme who provide so much support.
And finally, I wish to recognize the FCTC 2030 donors – the United Kingdom, Norway and Australia. Through their generosity and commitment to global public health, the Convention Secretariat has been able to offer you the FCTC 2030 project.
We stand shoulder to shoulder with you in your efforts to implement strong tobacco control. The future of your countries will be so much stronger due to these achievements.
I wish the very best for this meeting, and I look forward to hearing more about your work.
Related
Remarks from Head of WHO Country Office Montenegro, Dr Mina Brajovic