Tobacco is a threat to health and an impediment to development. The FCTC 2030 project supports achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through strengthening implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
The Government of the United Kingdom was the first to fund the five-year FCTC 2030 project in 2016. The Governments of Australia and Norway then joined the project providing additional funding, which enabled the expansion of the FCTC 2030 project to new countries.
At the end of 2019, countries eligible to receive official development assistance (ODA) who are also Party to the WHO FCTC were encouraged to apply for individually tailored assistance to implement the Convention. The application due date initially set for Sunday, 10 November 2019 was subsequently extended to Friday, 22 November 2019 upon request by countries.
Through the project, governments of countries eligible to receive ODA will receive intensive individually tailored support to accelerate implementation of the WHO FCTC. Countries will be offered support to implement specific objectives listed in the WHO FCTC’s new Global Strategy to Accelerate Tobacco Control.
A needs assessment and an economic investment case to support the comprehensive implementation of the WHO FCTC will be provided.
A multisectoral panel, which included the Convention Secretariat, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the project funder, carefully reviewed each of the applications received. The project aims to support Parties that are committed and motivated to advance tobacco control.
In making the selection, consideration was given to a number of criteria. The selection panel also took into account information provided in the latest report on the implementation of the WHO FCTC, and prioritized support for Parties which may not have already received substantial amounts of assistance for tobacco control from other sources.
A total of 28 FCTC Parties submitted an application of which the following nine FCTC Parties were selected to receive direct support under Phase II of the FCTC 2030 project:
• Armenia
• Costa Rica
• Eswatini
• Fiji
• Lao People’s Democratic Republic
• Mozambique
• Serbia
• Suriname
• Tunisia
Of these nine FCTC 2030 Parties selected, two are classified as least developed countries, three as lower-middle income countries and four as upper-middle income countries, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
For the FCTC Parties that were not selected, the Convention Secretariat has explained other forms of support available for treaty implementation. Other than direct support for the 24 selected Parties, the Convention Secretariat will also provide general support and materials for all Parties eligible to receive ODA to promote the implementation of the treaty. This support will include WHO FCTC Needs Assessment , workshops, toolkits, south-south and triangular cooperation, and other forms of assistance to national governments.