In 2019, the 72nd World Health Assembly requested the WHO Director-General to “to report to the 73rd World Health Assembly in 2020, through the Executive Board, on the implementation of WHO’s Global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol during the first decade since its endorsement, and the way forward” through a comprehensive consultation with Member States and Non-State Actors. This includes a "web-based consultation (23 October - 4 November) on a discussion paper dated 21 October 2019 on the implementation of the WHO global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol since its endorsement, and the way forward. The web-based consultation was open to Member States, UN organizations and other international organizations, and non-State actors." 

 

NCD Alliance conducted a survey of members, receiving over 20 contributions which helped shaped this submission to the WHO consultation, which provides a synthesis of the achievements, challenges and barriers to advocating for stronger alcohol policy, as experienced by members in national and global work, as well priority recommendations for strengthening alcohol policy, and saving and protecting more lives from alcohol harms.

 

Following this web-based consultation, WHO will develop a report to Member States, which will be considered alongside a decision point or resolution presented at the World Health Assembly in May 2020 through the WHO Executive Board in February 2020.