Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe 20 July 2021 - Several state and non-state actors are meeting virtually and face-to-face this week to conduct a needs assessment mission for the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in Sao Tome and Principe.
This needs assessment is being conducted jointly by the Government of Sao Tome and Principe, the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC (Convention Secretariat), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to evaluate the implementation of the Treaty, which Sao Tome and Principe ratified in 2006.
The needs assessment exercise will help identify gaps in the implementation of the WHO FCTC and make recommendations to accelerate the implementation of this international treaty, thereby ensuring universal protection from tobacco harm in Sao Tome and Principe. As part of the needs assessment, a series of bilateral meetings with stakeholders representing various governmental and non-governmental structures will take place from 20 to 22 July 2021.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister of Health, Dr Edgar Manuel Azevedo das Neves, reaffirmed the government's determination to fight the menace of tobacco and improve the lives of its citizens. "It is essential to accelerate the implementation of the FCTC in order to address non-communicable diseases".
In his speech, Mr Andrew Black, Acting Head of the Convention Secretariat, encouraged Sao Tome and Principe "to continue its efforts to make tobacco less affordable by continuing to increase taxes on tobacco products so that consumption decreases, particularly among young people and vulnerable populations".
He further added: “As the world struggles to recover from this devastating pandemic, there has never been a better time to support people trying to quit smoking - and to position tobacco taxes and pricing policies as part of the national response to COVID-19”.
Ms Katarzyna Wawiernia, the UNDP Resident Representative recalled that "it is essential for Sao Tome and Principe to consider accelerating the implementation of the FCTC in order to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in line with target 3.a of the SDGs".
Dr Anderson LATT, acting WHO representative in Sao Tome and Principe, assured participants that WHO will continue to support the government of Sao Tome and Principe to accelerate the implementation of the FCTC to fight non-communicable diseases and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
This needs assessment exercise is taking place with financial support from the Government of the Republic of Korea and technical support from the Convention Secretariat.
