Thank you, Madam President.

It is a privilege to deliver these brief remarks at the closing of COP11.

 First, let me express our deepest gratitude to distinguished delegates for your hard work and commitment to international cooperation in advancing the WHO FCTC this week.

Tobacco profoundly affects both public health and sustainable development. The decisions taken at this COP will save and improve lives worldwide.

They will also protect the environment, and provide Parties with forward-looking approaches to strengthen tobacco control policies.

We have adopted a decision on sustainable resource mobilization – an issue of great importance to Parties – and another on liability under Article 19 of the WHO FCTC.

I want to thank IGO and NGO observers for their support and encouragement throughout this week. In particular, I recognize youth delegates for their energy and active participation. Their voices are invaluable in shaping the future implementation of the WHO FCTC.

I also extend my deepest gratitude to my colleagues from the Convention Secretariat and WHO for their tireless work in preparing and delivering the COP. This has been an enormous task, and I hope you agree that their dedication has ensured a successful Conference.

The Convention Secretariat works in close partnership with WHO at all levels, and we are here to serve Parties. Moving forward, I reiterate our role in assisting Parties with the implementation of the Convention: simply ask, and we will be there to support you.

Please also let me thank our wonderful interpreters, who have worked so hard to ensure that we all have a voice this week.

This evening, the famous Geneva landmark  – the Jet d’Eau – will be illuminated in red to mark the closing of COP11. I warmly invite all delegates to take a moment tonight to see this symbol of our collective achievement.

I offer sincere thanks to the Bureau Members who have served 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 COP.

Finally, I wish to personally thank Dr Reina Roa for her leadership, and the Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of Committees A and B for the invaluable support.

Thank you very much. I look forward to our continuing partnership.