Decision: cooperation with competent international and regional intergovernmental organizations, including financial and development institutions

13 DECISION FCTC/MOP1(5) Cooperation with competent international and regional intergovernmental organizations, including financial and development institutions The Meeting of the Parties (MOP), Recalling Article 34.2(e) of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade on Tobacco Products (the Protocol) on the Convention Secretariat’s function to ensure coordination with competent international and regional intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and other bodies; Recognizing that Article 35 of the Protocol provides that the Meeting of the Parties (MOP) may request the cooperation of competent international and regional IGOs, including financial and development institutions; Recognizing also that the participation of representatives of the Convention Secretariat in the meetings of the governing bodies of other IGOs will help to raise the profile of the Protocol and will enhance cooperation to achieve the Protocol’s objectives, 1. REQUESTS the Convention Secretariat: (a) to conduct a comprehensive review of IGOs that can contribute to the implementation of the Protocol; (b) to seek to establish formal cooperative relations with relevant IGOs and to seek to participate in the meetings of the governing bodies of these organizations in order to promote the visibility of the Protocol and the activities related to it; (c) to actively participate in international or regional meetings related to illicit trade in tobacco products in order to promote the Protocol and the activities related to it; (d) to report back to the Second session of the MOP on progress; 2. INVITES competent international and regional IGOs, including financial and development institutions: Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products First session Geneva, Switzerland, 8−10 October 2018 10 October 2018 FCTC/MOP1(5) 2 (a) to support the implementation of the Protocol in accordance with their mandates and expertise and, in line with Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, to prevent undue interference from the tobacco industry and industries with other vested interests; (b) to apply for observer status to the MOP on the basis of their expertise and according to the rules of their own governing bodies as well as the Rules of Procedure of the Meeting of the Parties; (Second plenary meeting, 10 October 2018) = = =