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Momentum Builds Behind Global Tobacco Treaty as First Implementation Meeting Closes with 124 Ratifying Countries Stories of Tobacco Industry Interference Accumulate, Nations Commit to Implement First Global Health Treaty For Immediate Release: Contacts: GENEVA--Through an intensive two-week session of the global tobacco treaty's first Conference of the Parties (COP), countries that have ratified have demonstrated a strong commitment to moving the treaty ahead. Formally known as the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the treaty will save millions of lives and change the way tobacco corporations operate around the world. Members of the Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) commend Parties for their vigilance in protecting ongoing treaty implementation from interference by the tobacco industry. "One of the common threads throughout the talks here was that corporations like Philip Morris/Altria, British American Tobacco and Japan Tobacco are intensifying attempts at the national level to derail the treaty's implementation," says Corporate Accountability International Executive Director Kathryn Mulvey. "From Africa to Latin America to the Middle East and Southeast Asia, we are hearing of attempts to interfere at the highest levels of government. Fortunately, in countries across the globe, courageous political leaders are challenging this deadly industry directly, and moving forward with implementation of this groundbreaking treaty," concludes Mulvey. As the world's first corporate accountability treaty, the FCTC is breaking new ground in protecting people's health and lives over powerful industry interests. It is one of the most quickly embraced United Nations treaties in history, and is on track to save as many as 200 million lives by 2050. At the first Conference of the Parties, countries demonstrated a strong commitment to the participation of public interest NGOs, while laying solid groundwork for protecting the ongoing process from interference by tobacco corporations and their affiliates. One of the most difficult issues that Parties to the treaty addressed at the first FCTC COP was funding. In the end, the permanent secretariat of the treaty will be funded through contributions based on the on the WHO Scale of Assessments, and countries pledged to follow through on their commitments. However, funding for countries to implement the treaty at the national level continues to be a great concern. "Implementation of the global tobacco treaty is a good investment, and its benefits will far exceed its costs," says Muyunda Ililonga of Zambia Consumers Association, a NATT member. "In order for governments in the Global South to meet their obligations and the FCTC to fulfill its promise, additional funding will be required. We look forward to the goodwill many countries stated here being converted into action." The second Conference of the Parties is scheduled for early 2007. According to NATT members, substantive work to advance implementation and further develop the mechanisms for maximum treaty enforcement is urgent. NATT members also stress that getting the FCTC's permanent secretariat up and running will be a crucial next step. --30-- Corporate Accountability International, formerly Infact, is a membership organization that protects people by waging and winning campaigns challenging irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions around the world. For over 25 years, we've forced corporations--like Nestlé, General Electric and Philip Morris/Altria--to stop abusive actions. Corporate Accountability International, an NGO in Official Relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), played a key role in development of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) includes more than 100 NGOs from over 50 countries working for a strong, enforceable FCTC. For more information visit www.stopcorporateabuse.org. NATT members attending COP1 include Consumer Information Network (Kenya), Corporate Accountability International, Environmental Rights Action (Nigeria), Indian Society Against Smoking, and Zambia Consumers Association.
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