The GHP launched a new executive course on Global Health Instruments in June 2014 with the objective to analyse the negotiations and implementation of such an instrument. This first course focused on the case of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) which was the first global health treaty negotiated under the auspices of WHO and provided new legal dimensions for international health cooperation. The WHO FCTC was a significant milestone in the history of global public health.
The course, held from 3-5 June 2014, was directed by Professor Ilona Kickbusch, Director of the Global Health Programme and had a global reach. The topics covered by the course concerned the following: introduction to global health governance, key characteristics of global health treaties, analysis of the implementation of the WHO FCTC focusing on treaty instruments, inter-sectoral and international coordination, legal challenges to implementation, lessons learned during the 10 year process of WHO FCTC implementation and negotiating new treaties such as the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.
Several key challenges to WHO FCTC implementation were presented during the executive course by the participants. The industry interference has been repeatedly singled out as the main challenge in implementation of the Convention. Counteracting this requires strong legislation, clear codes of conduct for both government and civil society, conflict of interest disclosures, training of public servants onand enlisting the Ministry of Justice in efforts to fight improper interference are possible measures to address this problem.
Multi-sectoral approach and international cooperation represent the way forward for a successful and sustainable implementation of the Convention. Working to keep momentum on WHO FCTC actions is crucial and political commitment is key in attaining this. The WHO FCTC experience shows that a health treaty can be a suitable international legal instrument on rising health issues if the treaty addresses a problem of global proportions strongly driven by transnational factors.
The next course is planned to be held in March 2015.