Dear President, distinguished delegates, colleagues and friends,
As we come to the end of COP8, I would like to reflect on the advances we made. But before I move on to our accomplishments, I would like to note a few facts about the COP: with 148 Parties represented, we set a new record. The presence of over 1200 delegates I believe signifies Parties’ commitment to the treaty and the continuous support from observers to COP, especially intergovernmental and non governmental organizations.
I would also like to note that this is the first time that COP’s leadership – President and Committee Chairs – were all women. With all due respect to my male colleagues and distinguished members of the Bureau and delegations, I personally appreciate that, at least at COP, there are no gender barriers.
I want to express my gratitude to the Bureau Members who guided our work with a steady hand and to welcome new Bureau members – we are looking forward to working with you.
I want to express a special and heartfelt thank you to the Convention Secretariat’s staff – as always they went above and beyond to help COP runs smoothly. I would also like to thank WHO colleagues who lent an invaluable hand in making this COP a success.
To our translators, interpreters, editors, my gratitude. Even in the few hours that our distinguished delegates may have managed to sleep, someone was working to ensure that Parties have all they needed for their deliberations. Thank you very much.
This COP elevated the conversation on the impact of tobacco on the environment. As we continue to learn how tobacco impacts climate change, we will have additional subsidies to fully engage with colleagues working to advance our mutual interests. That, of course, includes how we will continue to ensure that tobacco control is integral to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
A significant milestone was the adoption of the Measures to Strengthen the Implementation of the WHO FCTC. It provides us with a very clear path forward as we reinforce the whole of government approach, and strive for policy coherence, in accelerating the implementation of the treaty.
This strategic approach aligns our priorities and objectives. It supports the efficient and effective use of our limited resources as the Work Plan and Budgets are aligned to the clear priorities of the Strategy, as laid out by the Parties. It is a road map to help us all in the journey towards a shared destination, with tools and support and indicators to let us know how our progress is going.
The COP made incredible advances in promoting transparency and protecting the treaty from the nefarious influence of the tobacco industry. The decisions on preventing and addressing real or perceived conflicts of interests at the Secretariat, combined with the code of conduct for Bureau members and the enhanced transparency for delegates and observers will ensure that all of us, who are working to reach the goals of the treaty, operate as transparently as possible.
Furthermore, with the decision on Article 5.3 Parties’ renew their commitment to protect the treaty against commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry. The Secretariat, and the Knowledge Hub on 5.3, supported by all other knowledge hubs, remain ready to assist Parties in implementing these measures.
The changes in the Rules of Procedure will also support additional openness of the proceedings. Combined with the decision in transparency, we hope to ensure that COP will both be more open and more protected against the industry.
An ongoing tobacco industry strategy is to claim that COP is against farmers that grow tobacco. We all know that nothing is further from the truth The decision on Article 17 will support our work in finding sustainable alternative livelihoods for farmers, helping them to be free from the unfair tobacco industry practices. Furthermore, the COP decision invites Parties to address the environmental externalities associated with tobacco growing and manufacturing.
The Secretariat will continue to reach out and engage with pertinent international entities to support the goals of the Convention and we appreciate the call for Parties to promote policy coherence among IGOs when it comes to preventing tobacco industry interference and promoting transparency.
The Convention Secretariat is grateful for the COP reflections on the position of the Head of the Convention Secretariat that will allow the Bureau to bring the issue back to COP9 which may facilitate this work.
Of course, the COP does not happen in a vacuum. The tobacco industry’s attempts to control our agenda were all around us, creating events, distributing material, making sure that media accredited at COP were being seduced by their empty promises. It was clear that more than ever we need to stay the course and remain strong to ensure that health, social and economic development, promoted by full implementation of the FCTC, are not highjacked by the industry.
As the Secretariat prepares for the first meeting of the Parties to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade on Tobacco Products, in one and a half days, we once again thank the Parties for their guidance. For those of you who are staying for MOP, I will see you on Monday, when we will engage in a new, rich multisectoral exercise where the health sector continues to have a key role. For those of you returning home, I wish you safe travels.
Thank you very much.