Second report of Committee A (draft)

Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Seventh session Delhi, India, 712 November 2016 FCTC/COP/7/A/R/2 12 November 2016 66 Second report of Committee A (Draft) Committee A recommends to the Conference of the Parties the adoption of the following decision: Item 5.1 Status of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (ITP) Item 5.2 Impact assessment of the WHO FCTC Item 5.3 Protection of public health policies with respect to tobacco control from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry Item 5.5.2 Electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems Item 5.6 Economically sustainable alternatives to tobacco growing (in relation to Articles 17 and 18 of the WHO FCTC) Item 5.7 Implementation of Article 19 of the WHO FCTC: “Liability” Item 5.8 Addressing gender-specific risks when developing tobacco control strategies Items 6.1, 6.3,6.4, 6.5: Measures to strengthen implementation of the Convention through coordination and cooperation FCTC/COP/7/A/R/2 2 Item 5.1 Status of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (ITP) The Conference of the Parties (COP), Acknowledging the work carried out by the Convention Secretariat in the follow-up to the sixth session of the COP; Recalling Articles 8.2, 8.12 and 8.13 of the Protocol, which provides that obligations assigned to a Party shall not be performed or delegated to the tobacco industry; Recalling the establishment of a Panel of Experts on the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (Panel of Experts), 1. DECIDES to intensify the work of the Panel of Experts, which should meet at least every six months and continue its work between meetings by electronic means; 2. REQUESTS the Panel of Experts: a) to report to the eighth session of the COP, and if applicable to the first Meeting of the Parties (MOP1) to the Protocol, on the progress of its work and any findings; b) to establish the following priorities as guidance for its work: i. assistance to the Convention Secretariat with the preparation of a draft agenda and, as appropriate, relevant documents for MOP1; ii. development of a forum for the exchange of best practices among Parties; iii. provision of technical assistance to Parties by: a) documenting exchanges of best practices; and b) mapping of the emerging traceability systems; iv. support to Parties with free-trade zones in implementing the Protocol; v. advice to Parties on experiences with licensing regimes; vi. development of proposals for consideration at MOP1 as to the future work in the area of fighting illicit trade, including the initial thoughts on the structure of a global information-sharing focal point; 3. MANDATES the Panel of Experts to draw, as necessary, on the expertise of intergovernmental, governmental and nongovernmental experts in fulfilling its mission. 4. The draft agenda and relevant preparations for the first Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol shall be discussed and agreed at a preparatory meeting where each region shall be represented by up to two Parties that have ratified the Protocol. For travel, the COP travel policy shall apply. In addition, other Parties that have ratified the Protocol may attend the meeting at their own cost. This preparatory meeting should be preceeded and supported by regional consultations that may be conducted through electronic means of communication and have no cost implications to the Secretariat. 5. Except interactions to the extent strictly necessary, Parties to the Convention, are urged not to consider any proposal or assistance related to tracking and tracing from the tobacco industry, or submitted on their behalf, including in the course of the preparatory activities for MOP1, in accordance with their obligation under WHO FCTC. FCTC/COP/7/A/R/2 3 Item 5.2 Impact assessment of the WHO FCTC The Conference of the Parties (COP), Recalling decision FCTC/COP6(13) that requested an impact assessment of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and called for the establishment of an independent expert group to conduct the assessment; Noting with satisfaction the outcome of the work of the expert group contained in document FCTC/COP/7/6 and thankful for the work carried out by the expert group and for the cooperation of the 12 Parties that participated in the assessment; Recognizing that impact assessment can be an important component of the work of the Parties at any stage in their implementation of the Convention in promoting strong measures and full and comprehensive implementation of the Convention at the national level; Recalling other activities implemented under the COP work plan that also contribute to and assist Parties in their implementation of the Convention, and the possible linkages between an impact assessment and the country assistance framework developed by the COP, 1. INVITES Parties: a) to consider evaluating on a regular basis the impact of WHO FCTC implementation in their jurisdictions as part of their overall implementation of the Convention; b) to assess their progress towards fully implementing the provisions of the FCTC, when evaluating the impact of their tobacco control measures; c) to consider the need to conduct another impact assessment of the WHO FCTC in five to 10 years, and regional assessments, as necessary; 2. REQUESTS the Convention Secretariat: a) to disseminate further the findings of the impact assessment by promoting the preparation of scientific papers and publications, as appropriate; b) to publish a series of fact sheets summarizing the lessons learnt during the 12 country visits carried out by the expert group during the development of the impact assessment; c) to make the details of the methodology used in the impact assessment study available in order to support Parties in undertaking their own national impact assessments and to make available, upon the request of Parties, technical assistance to conduct such national impact assessments; d) to assess the impact of the WHO FCTC in the Parties’ comprehensive tobacco control efforts during any needs assessment exercise. FCTC/COP/7/A/R/2 4 Item 5.3 Protection of public health policies with respect to tobacco control from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry The Conference of the Parties (COP), Recalling its decision FCTC/COP6(14) entitled Protection of public health policies with respect to tobacco control from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry, and recognizing the importance of implementing Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) on both the global and local levels; Recognizing that the tobacco industry continues to be an important barrier to implementation of the Convention, as noted in the 2016 global progress report on implementation of the WHO FCTC; Noting with concern that the tobacco industry’s tactics at the international level affects implementation of Article 5.3 at the country level; Acknowledging that countering tobacco industry interference at the international level raises awareness of the tobacco industry’s tactics globally, increases prominence of the WHO FCTC, and consequently aids in country-level implementation of the Convention; Acknowledging also that Guidelines for implementation of Article 5.3 were adopted at the third session of the COP its decision FCTC/COP3(7); Reaffirming the obligations that Parties have to implement Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC; Recognizing the work of the Convention Secretariat in establishing tobacco industry monitoring centers (observatories) and Knowledge Hubs in several content areas to facilitate the implementation of the WHO FCTC; 1. URGES Parties to intensify multisectoral actions and cooperation to address efforts by the tobacco industry to undermine or subvert tobacco control efforts and the need to be informed of the tobacco industry that have a negative impact on tobacco control efforts; 2. CALLS ON Parties to use the Guidelines of Article 5.3 where appropriate and other available resources to strengthen the implementation of Article 5.3, and to remain vigilant of tobacco industry efforts to undermine the implementation of the WHO FCTC. 3. REQUESTS the Convention Secretariat to establish a Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3 that: a. coordinates the work of experts on Article 5.3 to develop international cooperation, including cooperation with other Knowledge Hubs, as appropriate, and with the Observatories; b. is responsive to regional economic groupings in the development of innovative ways to engage non-health sectors nationally, regionally and globally; c. assists Parties upon request in developing strategies to counter tobacco industry interference in bilateral, regional and global relations to promote global awareness of Article 5.3; d. supports Parties in developing strategies to counter the tobacco industry’s misleadi ng information related to the WHO FCTC and tobacco control; e. promotes mechanisms, including technical assistance and tools, to assist country-level implementation of Article 5.3. FCTC/COP/7/A/R/2 5 4. REQUESTS the Convention Secretariat: (a) to produce and disseminate best practices in the adoption and implementation of Article 5.3 and its Guidelines, including but not limited to, Article 5.3-specific codes of conduct; (b) to continue to promote the use of the Model policy for agencies of the United Nations system on preventing tobacco industry interference, developed by members of the United Nations Interagency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of NCDs, in accordance with Article 5.3; (c) to include media strategies to raise awareness about tobacco industry interference in the global communication strategy. (d) to study the Guidelines on cooperation between the United Nations and the business sector, for their compatibility with Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC, and report to COP8; (e) to increase awareness of existing tools to implement Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC. FCTC/COP/7/A/R/2 6 Item 5.5.2 Electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems The Conference of the Parties (COP), Recalling its decision FCTC/COP4(14) to request the Convention Secretariat to prepare jointly with WHO’s Tobacco Free Initiative a comprehensive report based on the experience of Parties on the matter of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) for consideration at the fifth session of the COP; Recalling its decision FCTC/COP5(10) to request the Convention Secretariat to invite WHO to identify options for the prevention and control of ENDS and examine emerging evidence on the health impacts of the use of such electronic systems; and report on the outcome to the sixth session of the COP; Recalling its decision FCTC/COP6(9) to request the Convention Secretariat to invite WHO to prepare an expert report for the seventh session of the COP with an update on the evidence of the health impacts of ENDS/ENNDS; Noting that the report by WHO to the COP at its seventh session (document FCTC/COP/7/11) covers updates on the evidence of the health impact of ENDS/ENNDS, their potential role in tobacco cessation and impact on tobacco control efforts, and assesses policy options (i.e. preventing the initiation of ENDS/ENNDS by non-smokers and youth, minimizing as far as possible potential health risks to ENDS/ENNDS users and protect non-users from exposure to their emissions, preventing unproven health claims from being made, and protecting tobacco-control activities from all commercial and other vested interests related to ENDS/ENNDS, including interests of the tobacco industry); Noting that regional and international standards-development organizations have begun work on methods for the testing and measuring of contents and emissions of ENDS/ENNDS with an expected completion over the next 3 to 5 years; Recognizing that some Parties have adopted various regulatory strategies with respect to ENDS/ENNDS, such as an outright ban on their manufacturing, importation, distribution and sale, the adoption of regulation similar to that applicable to medicines, their control as tobacco products, or their control as consumer products with tobacco control-like measures, while other Parties have adopted no control at all; 1. WELCOMES the report contained in document FCTC/COP/7/11; 2. INVITES Parties to consider applying regulatory measures such as those referred to in document FCTC/COP/7/11 to prohibit or restrict the manufacture, importation, distribution, presentation, sale and use of ENDS/ENNDS, as appropriate to their national laws and public health objectives; 3. REQUESTS the Convention Secretariat to invite Parties to monitor and report on scientific, regulatory and market developments such as initiation, cessation, advertising and promotion and WHO to report on the development of methods by regional and international standards- development organizations for the testing and measuring of contents and emissions of these products, at either the eighth or the ninth session of the COP, as applicable. FCTC/COP/7/A/R/2 7 4. REQUESTS the Convention Secretariat to invite WHO to continue to provide technical and scientific assistance on ENDS/ENNDS upon request by the Parties or the Convention Secretariat. FCTC/COP/7/A/R/2 8 Item 5.6 Economically sustainable alternatives to tobacco growing (in relation to Articles 17 and 18 of the WHO FCTC) The Conference of the Parties (COP), Taking into account Article 17 (Provision of support for economically viable alternative activities) and Article 18 (Protection of the environment and health of persons) of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC); Reaffirming the FCTC-COP6 (11) decision to adopt the policy options and recommendations on economically sustainable alternatives to tobacco growing; Reiterating that the WHO FCTC requires Parties to promote economically viable alternatives for tobacco workers, growers and, as the case may be, individual sellers; Recalling that the WHO FCTC urges the Parties to have due regard to the protection of the environment and the health of persons in relation to the environment in respect of tobacco cultivation and manufacture within their respective territories; Considering that policies focused on economically, socially and environmentally sustainable alternatives to tobacco growing have a multilevel and crosscutting impact on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; Bearing in mind that Articles 17 of the WHO FCTC is aimed at promoting alternative livelihood options; Considering that the progressive reduction in tobacco consumption from the effective implementation of the WHO FCTC allows time for implementing policies that assist tobacco growers and workers to transition to alternative farming and occupations; Recalling that the FCTC-COP-6-11 decision requested the Convention Secretariat to support the development of pilot projects and other initiatives that aim to implement policy options and recommendations on FCTC Articles 17 and 18 and, since then, there has been limited progress on the issue; Noting, as contained in document FCTC-COP-7-4, that Articles 17 and 18 are among the least implemented Articles of the FCTC; 1. DECIDES to: (a) Encourage Parties not growing tobacco to not introduce tobacco growing. (b) Urge Parties, when implementing Articles 17 and 18, to adopt a whole-of-government and stakeholder participatory approaches keeping in mind Article 5.3 in promoting alternatives to tobacco growing, and avoid tobacco industry obstruction in programmes meant for the welfare and diversification of tobacco growers and workers and the protection of the environment, as appropriate in the national context. FCTC/COP/7/A/R/2 9 (c) (c) Urge parties to call for policy coherence in the mandates of the governing bodies of relevant intergovernmental organisations. (d) (d) Urge the international community to support mobilisation of resources to promote economically viable alternatives to tobacco growers and workers. 2. REQUESTS the Convention Secretariat: (a) Coordinate with civil society and intergovernmental organizations with relevant expertise to support interested parties in developing pilot projects, with emphasis on whole-of-government approach policies or initiatives; (b) Develop, in cooperation with the parties, a toolkit to guide the implementation of the Livelihoods Methodology; (c) Invite the FAO to include the promotion of economically sustainable alternatives to tobacco growing as part of its sustainable rural development agenda; (d) To establish or strengthen collaboration with UNWOMEN, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), such as the International Network of Women Against Tobacco (INWAT), to develop strategies to protect women, girls and boys from the negative effects of tobacco farming; (e) To establish collaboration with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to conduct studies to estimate the environmental effects of tobacco growing and production; (f) Promote international cooperation and exchange of information among interested Parties, including South-South and Triangular cooperation; (g) To continue to document experiences and lessons learnt concerning alternative livelihoods, organize and periodically update international database of resources, within the WHO FCTC coordination platform, of best practices, instruments and measures to support the implementation of the policy options and recommendations; (h) Improve the accessibility of the international database and its tools, within the WHO FCTC information platform of good practices; (i) Renew the request for the WHO to support interested Parties to develop guidelines for surveillance, prevention and early diagnosis of occupational harms and risks specific to tobacco cultivation and manufacture; (j) To invite WHO, as well as other relevant international organizations including UNEP, to prepare a report for COP8 on the environmental impact of tobacco lifecycle which collects technical knowledge on strategies to avoid and mitigate this impact, as well as recommend policy options and practical orientations to address it, identifying interventions that benefits public health and environment. (k) Support Parties to advance initiatives as appropriate, aimed at raising awareness about the occupational and environmental risks related to tobacco growing, in light of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; (l) Make the necessary arrangements, including budgetary arrangements, for developing the items 2(a), 2(b), 2(f), 2(i) and 2(k) of this decision. 3. FURTHER REQUESTS the Convention Secretariat to: FCTC/COP/7/A/R/2 10 (a) Monitor progress on Parties’ implementation of Articles 17 and 18; (b) Report on progress at COP8. FCTC/COP/7/A/R/2 11 Item 5.7 Implementation of Article 19 of the WHO FCTC: “Liability” The Conference of the Parties (COP), Recalling the report by the Convention Secretariat on liability contained in document FCTC/COP/5/11; Welcoming the final report by the expert group on liability that was established pursuant to the decision contained in document FCTC/COP/7/13; Recognizing that scientific evidence has established that tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke causes death, disease and disability, and noting that Article 19 recognizes the possibility of Parties taking various types of action to promote tobacco control and international cooperation; Recognizing that, as highlighted in the guiding principles of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) (Article 4.5), “issues relating to liability as determined by each Party within its jurisdiction are an important part of comprehensive tobacco control” and that Article 19 presents the Parties with an option to hold the tobacco industry legally liable for the harm that is caused by the use of their products; Recognizing also that legal systems may need to be adapted in order to enable tobacco industry liability to be pursued; Recalling the expert group’s report contained in document FCTC/COP/6/8, which noted that few Parties have taken any legal measures against the tobacco industry for full or partial reimbursement of medical, social and other relevant costs related to tobacco use in their jurisdiction, and that Parties require additional guidance to advance implementation; Noting that, as reported by the Convention Secretariat on the implementation of the WHO FCTC contained in document FCTC/COP/7/4, Article 19 is among the least implemented Articles of the WHO FCTC; Noting the “lack of clear information on the differing mechanisms of assistance and resources available and on how to access them as described by the working group on Sustainable measures to strengthen the implementation of the WHO FCTC contained in document FCTC/COP/7/18. 1. ADOPTS the report of the expert group, including the toolkit, as a mechanism of assistance for those Parties that may require assistance in their implementation of Article 19; 2. ENCOURAGES Parties to consider options, including developing their legislation or liability procedures, as appropriate, and increasing their international cooperation in order to strengthen their implementation of Article 19; 3. REQUESTS the Convention Secretariat, in accordance with its mandate as described in FCTC/COP6(7): (a) to make the toolkit available on the WHO FCTC information platform and keep it updated by incorporating relevant information and material, including information received from the Parties pursuant to their reporting obligations under the Convention; FCTC/COP/7/A/R/2 12 (b) to develop a database of experts and institutions that can provide Parties, upon request, with technical assistance related to tobacco industry liability, create a digital platform for international cooperation, and make available and regularly update related resources; (c) to prepare, maintain and make available to Parties a comprehensive list of the existing legal resources that may assist Parties in dealing with all forms of liability and other legal challenges where necessary. 4. FURTHER REQUESTS the Convention Secretariat: (a) to explore options to mobilize resources, mechanisms of assistance and other forms of cooperation to ensure Parties have sufficient access to the information and expertise necessary to implement Article 19; (b) monitor progress on Parties’ implementation of Article 19 through existing WHO FCTC reporting mechanisms; (c) report on progress at the eighth session of the COP. FCTC/COP/7/A/R/2 13 Item 5.8 Addressing gender-specific risks when developing tobacco control strategies The Conference of the Parties (COP), Recalling that the Preamble of the WHO Frameowrk Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) recognizes the increase in tobacco use by women and young girls worldwide, the need for full participation of women at all levels of policy-making and implementation, and the need for gender-specific tobacco control strategies; Recalling also that the Guiding Principles of the WHO FCTC (Article 4) emphasize the need to address gender-specific risks when developing tobacco control strategies; Noting that some tobacco-related health problems are unique to women or more prevalent among women; Considering the harmful effects of tobacco use in pregnancy, and the importance of informing and protecting pregnant women against the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and environmental tobacco smoke; Considering also that girls and women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face specfic risks to working in tobacco cultivation and manufacture; Taking into account that gender-specific strategies need to reach all segments of the population; Taking into account also that tobacco industry tactics may specifically target girls and women, especially those of lower social and economic status; Concerned that the lack of evidence on the gender-specific effect of tobacco control policies challenges Parties’ full implementation of the WHO FCTC and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically regarding maternal health improvement, WELCOMES the report of the Convention Secretariat (document FCTC/COP/7/14) that addresses potential areas of gender-specific tobacco control measures and policies; REQUESTS the Convention Secretariat to invite the World Health Organization (WHO) to prepare and submit a paper to the eighth session of the COP that includes: a) further updates on the evidence on tobacco use and its consequences among girls and women, as well as boys and men, and with special attention to vulnerable groups, in respect to social determinants of health; b) experiences from the Parties including opportunities and challenges in implementing gender- specific tobacco control policies; c) policy options to be consi further updates on the evidence on tobacco use and its consequences among girls and women, with special attention dered by the Parties when developing and promoting gender-specific tobacco control policies, in line with WHO FCTC provisions, at the national level. FCTC/COP/7/A/R/2 14 Items 6.1, 6.3,6.4, 6.5 Measures to strengthen implementation of the Convention through coordination and cooperation The Conference of the Parties (COP), PP1. Recalling Article 23.5 of the Convention, which stipulates that the COP shall keep under regular review the implementation of the Convention and take the decisions necessary to promote its effective implementation; PP2. Recalling also decisions FCTC/COP1(13), FCTC/COP2(10), FCTC/COP4(17) and FCTC/COP5(14) on financial resources, mechanisms of assistance and international cooperation; PP2. Recalling that decision FCTC/COP5(14) established a working group on sustainable measures to strengthen implementation of the WHO FCTC and that decision FCTC/COP6(17) decided to extend its mandate; PP3. Having considered the reports of the working group presented to the sixth session of the COP (document FCTC/COP/6/19) and to the seventh session of the COP (document FCTC/COP7/18), which recommended, among other things, to develop a detailed action plan for assistance implementation for consideration at COP8; PP4. Noting also the report of the Convention Secretariat on global progress in the implementation of the WHO FCTC, international cooperation for implementation of the WHO FCTC, South-South and Triangular cooperation, information sharing, and financial resources and mechanisms of assistance, as submitted to the seventh session of the COP (document FCTC/COP/7/4); PP5. Noting also the report of the Expert Working Group on Reporting Arrangements under the WHO FCTC, as submitted to the seventh session of the COP (document FCTC/COP/7/15); which recommended the establishment of an implementation review committee for the WHO FCTC; PP6. Welcoming the progress made, yet concerned that Parties continue to confront multiple challenges in implementing the WHO FCTC, including in accessing and adapting existing mechanisms of assistance to their specific needs and in obtaining resources to support implementation of the treaty by Parties that are low and middle income countries; PP7. Recognizing that international cooperation and south-south and triangular cooperation are key to advancing the implementation of the WHO FCTC worldwide; PP8. Recognizing the role of relevant Knowledge Hubs in facilitating exchange of information and cooperation between Parties and providing technical assistance; PP9. Encouraging accelerated implementation of the WHO FCTC; PP10. Ensuring that support for Parties` full implementation of the Convention responds directly to the needs of the Parties; Op1 URGES Parties and the Secretariat, and also invited WHO and UNDP to take action in line with the suggested actions and recommendations set out in the report of the working group on sustainable measures to strengthen implementation of the WHO FCTC; FCTC/COP/7/A/R/2 15 OP2. DECIDES to establish a working group to: 1- Develop a draft medium term strategic framework to guide the development of biennial workplans, budgets and implementation support for consideration by the COP. This should: (a) Include a vision, goals and objectives; (b) identify gaps, limitations and needs of Parties at a global, regional and national level, drawing on work to date to review through a mechanism for systematic review of Parties reports, needs assessments, and the recent FCTC Impact assessment (consideration could be given to whether this mechanism could be an implementation review committee, drawing on the report of the expert group on reporting under the WHO FCTC (as per document FCTC/COP7/15)) (c) Provide guidance on priorities for implementation support for the WHO FCTC, drawing on a review of gaps, limitations, and needs of Parties and the report on strategic directions given by the working group on sustainable measures, to strengthen implementation of the WHO FCTC. This should include : i. all assistance activities to be carried out by the Secretariat ii. south-south and triangular cooperation projects and activities iii. international cooperation projects and activities iv. financial resources v. mechanisms of assistance (d) Consider input provided by Parties through an on-line consultation or any other means deemed appropriate and cost-effective, and any research or wider engagement by the working group that is considered necessary to inform its work; (c) (e) Take into consideration monitoring and evaluation activities in relation to the implementation of the Convention; (d) (f) Ensure complementarity of the Secretariats` different assistance activities, and identify opportunities for synergies between the work of the Convention Secretariat, WHO and other United Nation entities to maximize support for the implementation of the WHO FCTC; (e) (g) Take into account the need to ensure coherence and continuity among the successive workplans and budgets of the Convention Secretariat; (f) (h) Include a results oriented monitoring and evaluation plan, within the MTSF with clear, time-bound indicators with respect to the goals and objectives. 2- OP2- To review the recommendations of the Expert Group on reporting arrangements under the WHO FCTC and the proposed Terms of Reference to establish an Implementation Review Committee (document FCTC/COP7/15) in order to make recommendations on an ongoing mechanism for the systematic review of Parties’ support and assistance needs for consideration of COP. OP3. Composition of the Working Group The working group membership is limited to up to 18 members. Regions can nominate up to two members representing Parties through regional coordinators to ensure equal regional participation. The FCTC/COP/7/A/R/2 16 Convention Secretariat should invite up to three additional members of the group representing non- governmental organizations that are observers to the COP, and up to three additional members of the group representing intergovernmental organizations that are observers to the COP, based on their relevant expertise and sound knowledge of matters related to the implementation of the WHO FCTC. The Convention Secretariat should make the necessary arrangements, including budgetary arrangements, for the performance of the work of the working group, in line with the COP travel policy applicable to working groups There should be at least one face-to-face meeting of the working group; additionally, the work of the working group may be conducted through electronic means of communication, in order to promote cost-efficiency. OP4 – The working group shall report the outcome of their work to COP 8 OP5. REQUESTS the Convention Secretariat to: (a) Undertake the actions set out in the report of the working group of sustainable measures (FCT/COP/7/18), including the Terms of Reference for the Coordination Platform recommended by the working group; (b) Provide support and make the necessary arrangements for the functioning of the working group, including budgetary arrangements; = = =