12.11.2024 - At the 2024 NordAN General Assembly in Oslo on November 7, a critical resolution was adopted, urging Nordic and Baltic member states to lead in securing transparency and accountability in global alcohol policy. The resolution places specific emphasis on the need for regional governments to push for clearer boundaries in the World Health Organization's (WHO) interactions with the alcohol industry—an area where only member states can establish limits that uphold public health priorities.
The resolution addresses a growing concern over the influence of commercial interests within WHO policy processes, noting that "interactions between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the alcohol industry have posed concerns, as they create a conflict of interest that undermines efforts to maintain transparent and health-driven alcohol policies." Although Nordic and Baltic countries alone cannot redefine WHO’s global policies, NordAN’s resolution stresses the responsibility of these states to raise the issue and encourage broader international support for a mandate that places public health ahead of commercial interests.
Key recommendations include "demanding transparency in all interactions between the WHO and the alcohol industry, ensuring that such meetings are fully documented and made publicly available to prevent undue influence on policy decisions." The resolution also calls for the application of principles from the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), advocating for a similar exclusion of the alcohol industry from policy discussions to protect independent, unbiased health policy.
The resolution further underlines the importance of resisting cost-cutting in public health investments, particularly in prevention efforts and support for civil society organizations, as these remain vital to public well-being and economic resilience.
For the complete text of the resolution and detailed recommendations: