Address by President of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: Dr. Oleg Salagay: New Delhi, India, 7 November 2016

Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Seventh session New Delhi, India, 7–12 November 2016 FCTC/COP/DIV/5 9 November 2016 66 Address by President of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Dr. Oleg Salagay New Delhi, India 7 November 2016 Esteemed Ministers, Ambassadors, Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, Before we continue our business of the meeting please let me say a few words. First of all, I would like to thank the Conference of the Parties for giving me the honour of chairing this high meeting and superintending the work of the Bureau in the period between sessions. Over the past period the Bureau held four meetings to discuss a wide range of important issues within the context of the policy vectors outlined by the Conference of the Parties. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the members of the Bureau with whom I had the pleasure of working for their energy, constructive dialogue, commitment to the interests of public health and eagerness to seek solutions even when the hour hand has moved far beyond working hours. I would like to express special thanks to the Convention Secretariat and its Head Dr. Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva for their invaluable assistance and high competence in all matters. Esteemed Colleagues, Last year we were commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Convention’s entry into force. It has become the most successful international treaty on public health of all times. Today, 181 countries are Parties to the Convention, and its provisions have not only become an inalienable part of legislation of many countries but also part of the mind-set, values and philosophy. Taking the opportunity I would like to greet Zimbabwe and Mozambique – the states which have joined the Convention since the sixth session of the COP. Welcome! FCTC/COP/DIV/5 2 However, dear colleagues, the world moves on. During the recent period we have developed best practices, obtained results of evidence-based research, and found solutions to many important anti-tobacco tasks at the national and international levels. At the same time, new threats are emerging and they require resolute and immediate action. Otherwise we risk finding ourselves in a situation where new types of tobacco products and new forms of nicotine delivery systems will make the world even more dependent. The future of public health should be tailored already today, and not tomorrow. This is exactly why we must work persistently to improve step by step the ways to protect people against tobacco smoke, taking into consideration new challenges and threats, leaving no chance to decrease in performance of public health diplomacy. I am convinced that persistency and commitment will produce good results even though today many things may seem elusive and even incredible. The great Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore has justly noted that “Not hammer-strokes, but dance of the water, sings the pebbles into perfection.” Let us do everything within our power to achieve this perfection. Thank you. = = =