Elections for WHO FCTC COP10 and MOP3 Leadership Committees

According to the official FCTC media, on February 10, 2024, the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Conference of the Parties (COP10) was held in Panama City from February 5 to 10, 2024. A new set of bureau members were elected. The term of office for the bureau shall start at the closure of the COP10 and continue until the closure of the next ordinary session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11), including any special sessions held in between. The order of vice-chairs was determined by drawing lots.

Dr. Reina Roa has been elected as the chairperson, with Dr. Csaba Kontor as the vice chairperson. Dr. Noraryana binti Hassan from Malaysia, Dr. Jawad Al-Lawati from Oman, Professor Nuntavarn Vichit-Vadakan from Thailand, and Dr. Judith Segnon-Agueh from Benin make up the rest of the committee. Professor Nuntavarn Vichit-Vadakan will also serve as the secretary.

At the same time, Ivory Coast represents the African region, Canada represents the Americas region, Tunisia represents the Eastern Mediterranean region, Spain represents the European region, New Zealand represents the Western Pacific region, and Timor-Leste represents the Southeast Asia region as coordinators for each major geographical area.

Furthermore, the third meeting of parties to the World Health Organization's Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (MOP3) also elected a new bureau in Panama City from February 12 to 14, 2024. The bureau's term will begin after the closure of MOP3 and continue until the next regular meeting (MOP4) closes, including any interim meetings during that time. The order of vice chairs was also determined by drawing lots.

Dr. Mansour Zafer Alqahtani from Saudi Arabia has been elected as the chairman, with Ms. Hekali Zhimomi from India as the vice-chairman. The committee also includes Ms. Eliza Fantidou from Cyprus, Mr. Vimal Deo from Fiji, Mr. Omar Badjie from Gambia, and Dr. Marcos Dotta from Uruguay. Additionally, Mr. Vimal Deo will also serve as the secretary.

Similarly, Gabon, Paraguay, Iran, Greece, India, and Samoa respectively represent the African region, the American region, the Eastern Mediterranean region, the European region, the South Asian region, and the Western Pacific region as regional coordinators.