Thank you, Mr President.
It is a privilege to deliver these brief remarks at the closing of MOP4.
First and foremost, let me express my deepest gratitude to distinguished delegates for your hard work and commitment to eliminating illicit trade in tobacco products during the meeting.
Illicit trade in tobacco products is not a victimless crime. In fact, as INTERPOL reminded us on Monday, it is a polycrime.
It robs governments of vital resources, undermines public health, and erodes the foundations of sustainable development. It fuels corruption, money laundering and organized crime.
It is a crime that thrives on human suffering, and we cannot allow those who profit from illicit trade in tobacco to escape justice.
MOP has adopted all the decisions that were proposed. I thank Parties for their willingness to engage so actively in negotiations and reach consensus.
The decisions we have taken during this MOP strengthen the Protocol and send a clear message: we are united, we are resolute, and we will continue to adapt to meet the challenges of an ever-evolving illicit market.
I was very pleased to see the level of engagement of States non-Parties during our deliberations. There is no doubt about the high level of interest and engagement in the elimination of illicit tobacco.
The Protocol brings the world together to achieve this, and I encourage all WHO FCTC Parties that have not yet joined the Protocol to consider doing so.
Becoming a Party to the Protocol offers a country the benefit of participating in the sessions of the Meeting of the Parties and in intersessional groups established by the MOP, with full rights to join decision-making processes. This ensures that your perspectives can be taken into full consideration.
I want to thank our IGO and NGO observers for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout this week. In particular, we warmly welcome the new observers approved on Monday – your voices will enrich our collective mission.
To our interpreters: thank you for ensuring that all of our voices could be heard and every idea understood.
To my colleagues in the Convention Secretariat and WHO: your tireless commitment has made this meeting possible. The scale of the task in organizing and delivering the MOP was enormous, yet your dedication and hard work has ensured its success. You have my deepest gratitude.
The Convention Secretariat has received a vote of confidence in our Strategy for mechanisms of assistance for Parties during the MOP. I commit the Secretariat to continuing to maximize the support it provides to Parties to accelerate implementation of the Protocol. If there is any way we can help, please get in touch.
I wish to offer sincere thanks to the MOP Bureau Members who have served the Parties so well. To those departing Bureau Members, we extend our deepest appreciation; to those newly elected, we look forward to supporting you during the intersessional period and at our next MOP.
Finally, I wish to personally thank Dr Mansour Zafer Alqahtani for his leadership and very good company, and the Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of Committees A and B for their invaluable support.
Distinguished delegates, our objective to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products does not end here. We now need to head home to continue with the implementation of the Protocol
I look forward to continuing our work together to slam the door shut on illicit tobacco.
Mr President, distinguished delegates, thank you.