Regional consultation on a protocol on illicit trade in tobacco products

The Regional consultation meeting for the South-East Asia Region prior to the third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) on a Protocol on Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products was held from 11-12 June 2009 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, hosted by the Government of Bangladesh in collaboration with WHO country office.

The Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) decided at its second session in Bangkok in 2007 to establish an intergovernmental negotiating body, open to all Parties, to draft and negotiate a protocol on illicit trade in tobacco products, which would build upon and complement the provisions of Article 15 of the Convention.

Professor Dr A. F. M. Ruhal Haque the Hon’ble Minister for the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare inaugurated the consultation meeting as Chief Guest. Professor Dr Syed Modasser Ali Adviser to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Vice President of Bureau of the Convention of Parties (COP), FCTC and Dr Haik Nikogosian, Head of the Convention Secretariat WHO FCTC addressed the meeting while Professor Shah Monir Hossain, Director General of Health Services provided welcome address and Dr Andrew Trevett acting WHO Representative to Bangladesh read out the message of the Regional Director, WHO SEAR. The meeting was chaired by Mr Sheikh Altaf Ali the Secretary of MOH&FW, Bangladesh.

Among the 10 parties of the South East Asia Region participants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand attended the consultation. Three representatives of Non-governmental organizations on behalf of Framework Convention Alliance were also present as Observers.

In a press conference the dignitaries opined that international cooperation and support mechanisms are very important for countries in the Region and are also critical to the implementation of the Protocol. Whereas control of the supply chain is an important element in its own right to deal effectively with illicit trade in tobacco products.

The third session of the INB on a Protocol on Illicit Trade