Process for implementing the WHA 61.4 Resolution and Preparing
Draft Global Strategy to Reduce Harmful Use of Alcohol

WHO Regional Technical Consultations with Member States in all Six WHO Regions are in progress for preparing the Draft Strategy to be tabled before the next WHO World Health Assembly in May 2010. It will take place as follows:

-  South-East Asia: 24-26 February, Bangkok, Thailand.
-  Africa: 3-5 March, Brazzaville, Congo.
-  Western Pacific: 24-26 March, Auckland, New Zealand.
-  Eastern Mediterranean: 6-9 April, Cairo, Egypt.
-  Europe: 20-23 April, Copenhagen, Denmark.
-  The Americas: 6-8 May, Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Member States at the May 2008 World Health Assembly have considered the report of the Secretariat "Strategies to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol" and adopted the resolution that, inter alia, mandated that WHO prepares a draft global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol.
The planned process of implementing the WHA 61.4 Resolution and preparing the draft strategy involves the following stages, activities and timeline:

Stage I: Broad Consultation Process

3 October - 15 November 2008:
Web-based consultation (WHO Public Hearings) with Member States and other stakeholders on ways of reducing harmful use of alcohol.
6. November 2008:
Round Table Meeting with economic operators.
24-25 November 2008:
Round Table Meeting with NGOs and Health Professionals on ways they could contribute to reducing harmful use of alcohol.
First half of 2009:
Consultation with Inter-Governmental Organizations and UN Agencies are planned for first half of 2009.

Stage II: Draft strategy development for consideration by the WHO Executive Board in January 2010 and presentation to World Health Assembly in May 2010.

Draft Development
A draft of the global strategy on harmful use of alcohol will be developed by the WHO Secretariat in consultation and collaboration with Member States based on the contributions from Member States and outcomes of the Regional Technical Consultation Meetings, taking into consideration, when appropriate and relevant, the outcomes of the preceding consultation process.

Related documents:
Resolution WHA 61.4 - Strategies to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol
Report by the Secretariat to the 61st World Health Assembly