Both Eighth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP8) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and First session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP1) to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (the Protocol) promise to be landmarks in the worldwide battle against tobacco. They will be held in Geneva, respectively at the International Conference Center Geneva (CICG) from 1 to 6 October and at the WHO headquarters from 8 to 10 October.
21 SEPTEMBER 2018 | GENEVA - In less than two weeks’ time, Parties to the WHO FCTC will meet to bring the fight against tobacco to the next level. At first for COP8, which will notably focus on the role of tobacco control to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and then for MOP1, the first gathering of the Parties to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, which will enter into force on 25 September 2018.
As for COP8, among a full range of interesting topics to look at and decide on, the approval of a medium term strategic framework, which will consensually determine WHO FCTC priorities for the next five years, so shaping the content of the new global tobacco control agenda, is standing out.
Official figures for tobacco control will be displayed in the Global Progress Report, a biennial publication analysing the implementation of the WHO FCTC in all its territories, which new edition will be released at the conference. The work will be launched during the opening press conference, on October 1.
COP will have for the first time a High-level segment, which will focus on the environmental impacts of tobacco use. An unprecedented report from the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC, prepared by the Imperial College London, assessing tobacco’s global environmental footprint across its entire supply chain will also be released during COP 8.
The impact of tobacco products advertising in the entertainment media, particularly originating from beyond the border, is another aspect to carefully and steadily follow. A report about the matter penned by a group of experts from around the globe will be submitted to the Convention’s governing body.
Finally, the Convention Secretariat is glad to announce that Ms Grace Maria Fernandes Mendonça, Attorney-General of Brazil, and Ms Anne Bucher, Head of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, will address the Conference of the Parties as invited speakers. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, and Michael Møller, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, will participate in the opening ceremony.
With regard to MOP1, as for every new treaty, topics discussed will include organizational and institutional matters, as well as constitutive instruments, but also entail items about reporting, implementation assistance and international cooperation, especially in relationship with the tracking and tracing system of tobacco products.
The MOP1 is the first opportunity for the international community to coordinate efforts to tackle illicit trade in tobacco products and will be the forum for Parties to the Protocol to set the priorities and take the decisions to accelerate implementation of the Protocol’s provisions.
The Prime Minister of Mauritius, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, will participate in the opening ceremony and address the First Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol.
Five press conferences altogether are planned during the two events, three for COP8 and two for MOP1.
For COP8:
- 1 October, 13:30 - Opening press conference (with launch of the Global Progress Report)
- 2 October, 13:30 - Press conference to launch the report on the tobacco’s environmental footprint
- 6 October, 13:30 - Closing press conference
For MOP1
- 8 October, 13:30 - Opening press conference
- 10 October, 13:30 - Closing press conference
On the first day of COP8 there will be a familiarization and briefing session for journalists, followed by daily media briefings each day of the conference. A spokesperson will host the briefing sessions and media coordination staff will assist journalists.