The ASH Team is in Geneva for the Eleventh Conference of the Parties (COP11) of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) from November 17 – 22, 2025. We will share updates and progress here for our community to stay engaged and informed throughout COP11.
November 18, 2025 – Today the COP shifted in high gear and began debating substantive issues. First on the docket is Article 2.1, Forward-Looking Measures (FLMs). ASH has taken a lead on this issue for the civil society community for one important reason – the report on FLMs that the COP is considering includes true endgame measures.
The debate is far from over. At least 20 Parties objected to adopting a decision accepting the report. Their reasons were…poor. The FLMs are not an amendment to the treaty; they are merely possible measures countries can take. The decision “invites Parties to consider…” But apparently the Parties opposed either didn’t read or didn’t understand, bellowing that the decision is an assault on sovereignty, an insult to countries that haven’t fully implemented the FCTC, and (my personal favorite) it would lead to a greater gap between the Parties that have done nothing and those who care about their peoples’ health.
Fortunately, far more Parties expressed full support.
We will be back at it tomorrow. It’s likely that the Committee will establish a “drafting group” to go away and find compromise language that will allow for consensus. This is where it gets dangerous. It may well be that the only language the antis will accept is so watered down as to be less than useless. There may come a time when we have to ask our friendly delegations to let it drop. But we’re not there yet, and after participating in over 20 treaty negotiating sessions, I still give us a 70% chance of success.
Today ended in the early evening, but tomorrow, and for the rest of the week, we will likely be going to 11 pm or later as the COP realizes that it is behind schedule (as it ALWAYS is). Often, it is fatigue itself that allows for consensus – one side simply outlasts the other. If that’s what it comes down to, our chances increase to 100%, because we have the passion.