Organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Fourth Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behavior provides delegates with a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge and strategies on the subject.
As the agency reports, the forum will also discuss progress in implementing international commitments, including those set out in the Global Action Plan on Alcohol (2022-2030), approved by the World Health Assembly in 2022.
As the world emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic, which severely disrupted our lives and public health priorities, the importance of strong international collaboration in tackling substance use and addictive behaviors has become even clearer.
This was emphasized by Jérôme Salomon, WHO Deputy Director-General for Universal Health Coverage, Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases.
Given the scale and magnitude of health problems related to alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviors, the forum provides an important platform for WHO and its partners to strengthen alliances, said Devora Kestel, Director of Health at WHO for Mental Health and Substance Use.
Topics to be discussed at the meeting will include progress towards achieving Health Goal 3.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals to strengthen prevention and treatment of substance abuse and the commercial determinants of substance use and addictive behaviors.
The event will feature presentations from people with lived experiences of substance use disorders and addictive behaviors.
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