Good afternoon, and thank you.
Dr Mansour Zafer Alqahtani, President of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products,
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome once again to Geneva and the Fourth session of the Meeting of the Parties.
It is my great honour to join you in this high-level segment of the Fourth Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.
Our discussion today focuses on the theme of “Justice and Prosecution: Strengthening Legal Action to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products”.
This theme reminds us that the Protocol — and our efforts to implement it — relate not only to protecting health, but also to justice, law and accountability.
Illicit trade in tobacco products is not a victimless crime — it fuels corruption, money laundering and other serious offenses.
Illicit trade also strengthens organized criminal groups that exploit instability and conflict to expand their reach.
Reports from Parties and the World Customs Organization confirm that these groups are evolving, using increasingly sophisticated methods to smuggle tobacco products.
This is why strengthening legal action — through robust prosecution and comprehensive enforcement — is essential.
We must ensure that those who profit from harm and suffering face justice.
The Protocol is our collective response to this global challenge.
The Protocol is more than a treaty — it is a framework for coordinated action that equips Parties with tools to slam the door on illicit trade.
By slamming that door shut, we will achieve stronger tobacco control and better public health outcomes, while also advancing sustainable development.
Implementing the Protocol cannot be an isolated effort; it must be integrated into wider national tobacco control strategies in line with Article 15 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which directly addresses illicit trade.
Fighting illicit trade is not a distraction from tobacco control — it is an essential part of it.
While the tobacco industry claims to support efforts to combat illicit trade, its actions often tell a different story. Evidence shows that the industry has been involved in illicit trade for a long time. All the while using the issue of illicit trade as a scare tactic to discourage countries from advancing tobacco control measures. This is unacceptable.
The Protocol provides us with the tools to act. Article 7 on due diligence is critical: Parties must rigorously implement due diligence measures, so we can hold to account those involved in the illicit trade.
Only through firm and coordinated action can we protect public health and uphold the integrity of our commitments.
Together, we also need to address misconceptions.
Data from the World Customs Organization show an increase in seizures of cigarettes and other tobacco products, which the tobacco industry claims as proof that illicit trade is growing.
But evidence tells us just the opposite — illicit trade is not increasing globally.
In fact, the rise in seizures reflects stronger enforcement and better detection — in other words, less illicit trade goes undetected.
This is progress that deserves recognition and demonstrates that the measures in the Protocol work.
Global efforts to combat illicit trade are continuing to gain momentum.
The Protocol now counts 70 Parties across all World Health Organization regions.
Please let me warmly congratulate Vanuatu, the latest country to join the Protocol, which will enter into force for the country shortly.
As we all know, the Protocol offers a framework for coordinated action — a response equal to the scale of this global problem.
We are grateful for the support of WHO, which continues to provide technical expertise and leadership in global tobacco control.
We also acknowledge the valuable contributions of the World Customs Organization and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, present here as observers, alongside INTERPOL, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the World Bank, which are enriching our discussions through side events and technical support.
Civil society also plays a vital role — building evidence, informing decisions and promoting the importance of the Protocol.
And to those States participating today as observers: we invite you to join us — together, we are stronger in the global fight against the global menace of illicit tobacco.
A study by economists at the WHO and World Bank indicates that if countries deepen cooperation, the next decade could witness a decisive decline in tobacco consumption — both legal and illicit.
This goal of a decline in consumption is within our reach, but it requires commitment, collaboration and the full implementation of the Protocol.
Distinguished delegates, the theme of this MOP — United for Justice — and the theme of this high-level segment — Justice and Prosecution — is a call to action.
It reminds us that eliminating illicit trade is not only about stopping smuggling; it is about dismantling criminal networks, protecting governance and safeguarding health.
The Protocol gives us the tools. Let us use them boldly, effectively and comprehensively.
Together, we can eliminate illicit trade and move toward a healthier, fairer future.
Let us honour our promise — to protect health, uphold law and ensure justice prevails.
Thank you.