Distinguished delegates of the States Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control;
Distinguished Representatives from States Non Parties to the WHO FCTC and other Observers;
Dr. Adriana Blanco Marquizo, Head of the Convention Secretariat;
Ladies and gentlemen.
As the President of the Ninth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, I would like to welcome you all to this important meeting and invite all of us to join hands and cooperate in discharging our collective responsibility for addressing the public health consequences of the tobacco epidemic.
The Conference of the Parties is, for the first-and hopefully the last- time, being convened virtually due to the global pandemic that has affected every aspect of human life.
Ever since the 8th session of the Conference of the Parties, back in October 2018, that elected this Bureau, my Bureau members and I have made every effort-with excellent support from the Secretariat- to fulfil our responsibilities as mandated by the Parties from every WHO region of the world.
You will recall that our term had to be extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic – thank you for your support over this extended period, which originally was expected to end in 2020.
I am delighted to be here now to preside over COP 9, and pleased that we are proceeding with the COP's business, regardless of the unprecedented approach we are compelled to take. Of course, I rely on all of you to assist me in working together flexibly and collaboratively to achieve our goals in this virtual setting.
Dear colleagues, during the discussions that lie ahead of us, we will do our utmost to ensure that all Parties have the opportunity to engage in fruitful and constructive dialogue. I intend to ensure that despite our time constraints, I allocate the time that we do have efficiently and fairly to provide all Parties the opportunity to express their positions, and to permit our valued stakeholders to participate as well. Although the technology on which we must rely in these times is not always kind to us, I promise you that we will use every means to ensure that technical nuances rob no one of their voice.
May I also state my resolve as president to lead proceedings so as to help deliver decisions that can be turned into concrete actions which ultimately will accelerate the implementation of the WHO FCTC.
This is a very different COP. Although we delayed holding our session until now, hoping that we could have a face-to-face meeting, that turned out not to be possible as the COVID-19 pandemic wrought havoc with plans globally. There are many aspects that we need to adapt to hold a virtual meeting. For example, we are going to begin adopting a decision on special procedures that will provide the flexibility needed to conduct the meeting virtually. Thankfully we were able to build the procedures for the COP on the successful experience of World Health Organization, in its organization of the 73rd and 74th sessions of the World Health Assembly, and the ability of those bodies to function smoothly and to move forward in adopting key decisions.
To adapt to this virtual environment, the Bureau made the important decision to reduce the number of items on the Agenda as well as defer certain of them to COP10, in recognition that the digital means would not permit us adequate time and space to consider at this COP all of the agenda items that might otherwise be possible in a face-to-face session. Moreover, and importantly, we will have to delay substantive discussion of several of the more sensitive agenda items to the next session of the COP. In this manner, we will ensure not only that we have sufficient time to consider these matters, but that we can consult constructively on them in order to reach consensus, while protecting the integrity of such decisions from potential interference by the tobacco industry and those who work to further its interests.
However, we must also make use of the work that has been completed in preparation for COP9. The WHO, the Convention Secretariat and some subsidiary bodies have produced important reports on a number of pressing issues. Since these key reports are ready, the Bureau has recommended that they be delivered to the COP to be noted, but that substantive discussion of their contents should also be deferred to COP10. These include a report by the Expert Group on Articles 9 and 10 that will help us decide on the future course of work on these key provisions, and a report by a meeting of experts on the impact of cigarette ventilation on cigarette use, as well as a report on the pilot project exercise for an Implementation Review Mechanism for the Convention. A report on progress made by WHO in work related to tobacco product regulation also falls into this category, as do WHO’s report on research and evidence on novel and emerging tobacco products, and a report by the Convention Secretariat on challenges that novel and emerging tobacco products are posing for the comprehensive application of the Convention.
It is most unfortunate that our current situation does not permit us to discuss these important matters in detail at this session of the Conference of the Parties. But please do bear in mind that full consideration of these agenda items will be undertaken at COP10. Moreover, these reports and the existing COP decisions from the sixth, seventh and eighth sessions provide Parties with a great deal of information and a wide range of options to take sovereign decisions on novel and emerging nicotine and tobacco products, including clear recognition that novel and emerging tobacco products should be subject to the full complement of tobacco control measures pursuant to the WHO FCTC, while providing Parties with ample scope to regulate or ban other novel products.
And let me assure you that a number of very important matters will be discussed in detail at this session of the COP. Among the topics that are on the agenda for our substantive consideration is the proposal of the Convention Secretariat to establish an investment fund - an innovative strategy that will add much needed funds to existing Assessed and Extra-Budgetary contributions in order to strengthen the technical assistance provided to Parties. I am confident that we can find a way to secure financing arrangements that will enable sustainable, long-term planning of activities.
We are all aware of the terrible consequences of the global pandemic and how tobacco use has increased the risk of developing serious infections and suffering worse outcomes from COVID-19. The theme proposed for this COP is: “Tobacco control during a global health emergency”, recognizing the negative synergies that tobacco use and COVID-19 have created, and the necessity of ensuring that tobacco control is included in recovery plans.
My country, the Islamic Republic of Iran, is proposing a declaration on the WHO FCTC and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed text on this key matter was circulated among Parties, who provided very helpful comments, and the text will be offered for adoption by the COP at the end of this session.
Another theme that is not going to be addressed specifically in the agenda of our session, but which is always foremost in our minds, is the interference of the tobacco industry and those who work to further its interests.
It is important to declare our determination to prevent tobacco industry involvement in and influence on public health activities. In fact, industry interference can masquerade as assistance for countries that find themselves in a vulnerable position due to the pandemic, while in fact weakening our efforts to reduce the impact of COVID-19 and keep our populations healthy.
We must also be aware that there have been multiple incidents of industry interference at previous sessions of the COP. Again, we are hearing the industry-driven narrative that our COP sessions are secretive and unfairly keep industry from participating. We all know that – like all governing bodies of international treaties – our COP discussions are among States, our agendas and the documents we are considering are made public in multiple languages, and that industry most certainly does not belong in our sessions.
As president, I will ensure that COP9 adheres to terms of Article 5.3 and its Guidelines for implementation, while at the same time following the usual norms of transparency in all our deliberations.
On a personal note, it is my pleasure to be working alongside Dr. Adriana Blanco Marquizo, Head of the Convention Secretariat, with support from her team. This Bureau conducted her selection and I recall welcoming her to the Secretariat in February 2020. Together with members of the Secretariat, we celebrated the Convention’s fifteenth birthday a month later – at a time when we could meet together and celebrate a milestone in our historical drive to a healthy, tobacco-free future.
We now meet in this virtual space. I am grateful to you all – gathering in so many time-zones for this important event. Whatever unhealthy hour of the night or day it is for you – welcome!
With support from the Convention Secretariat team and from all of you, I am sure we will achieve a great deal over the course of this week.