Seventh edition of the Conference of the Parties begins in Noida

The seventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP7) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) kicked off on 7 November 2016 in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

The session was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P Nadda and was attended by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.

It is for the first time that India is hosting COP meeting of FCTC. It is the world’s biggest convention on tobacco control policy in which 180 countries are participating.

About WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

• The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is the first global evidence-based public health treaty.

• It recognises the right of all people to the highest standard of health.

• The Treaty was developed by countries in response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic. There are currently 180 Parties to the Convention.

• India has been the forerunner in ratification of the public health treaty and was the 7th Country to ratify the Convention in 2004. India ratified the treaty on 27th February 2005 and is therefore obligated to comply with the treaty provisions and its guidelines to reduce tobacco consumption globally.

• India provided a leadership role in the negotiations of FCTC and was also the Regional Coordinator for the South-East Asia Region.

About Conference of Parties

• The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the Governing Body of the WHO FCTC and is comprised of all Parties to the Convention.

• It keeps under regular review the implementation of the Convention and takes the decisions necessary to promote its effective implementation. It may also adopt protocols, annexes and amendments to the Convention.

• The regular sessions of COP are held at two yearly intervals.