How the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes is being implemented in the Americas

Join us on Tuesday, 21 May 2024, at 11:00 a.m. (Washington D.C. or EDT) for the webinar: How the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes is being implemented in the Americas. This webinar will be held on World Breastfeeding Protection Day, celebrated annually on May 21st, and underscores the critical importance of implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and subsequent relevant resolutions of the World Health Assembly.

This year's theme for World Breastfeeding Protection Day is:

Protect breastfeeding.
For my rights, no misleading digital marketing.

Objectives of the webinar:

Explore the intersection of breastfeeding and Human Rights, delving into the background, breastfeeding trends in the Region of the Americas, and the significance of protection.
Discuss the outcomes and commitments arising from the Global Congress on Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, with a focus on applying recommendations in the Americas.
Share experiences from countries regarding their legislative processes concerning the Code; and
Exchange insights from countries regarding their experiences with implementing and monitoring national legislation concerning the Code.

Livestream

How to participate

DATE: Tuesday, 21 May 2024
TIME: 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. (EDT) [check the local time in other cities at the end of this page]
LANGUAGES: English, Spanish, and Portuguese with simultaneous translation.
REGISTRATION: https://paho-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_F2dx7qb9SPWqkw4WL5GENg#/registration

Context

The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes was adopted by the World Health Assembly in 1981 under Resolution WHA 34.22, so that families would be protected from the infant formula industry’s aggressive marketing tactics aimed at promoting breast-milk substitutes, which was contributing to declining breastfeeding rates and increasing child morbidity and mortality.

Resolution WHA 34.22 clearly stated that “Governments should take action to give effect to the principles and aim of this Code, as appropriate to their social and legislative framework, including the adoption of national legislation, regulations or other suitable measures.” However, progress in this respect has been lagging in the countries of this region.

According to the 2022 report on the status of the Code published by WHO, to date, only 19 of the 35 countries in the region have adopted any legal measures for the Code, and of these, only two countries are substantially aligned with the Code.
While there is inaction on the part of many countries, marketing of breast-milk substitutes has become even more pervasive and aggressive and has necessitated new guidance from WHO on regulatory measures aimed at restricting digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes.

PAHO supports countries in protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding and adherence to the standard infant feeding guidelines developed by WHO. Following discussions at the Global Congress on the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, held in Geneva in June 2023, PAHO is now pursuing the implementation of the Congress's recommendations to strengthen breastfeeding protection in the region.

Agenda

11:00 a.m. - Welcome and Opening Remarks.
- Vanessa Garcia Larsen, Chief, Risk Factors and Nutrition Unit, Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health
11:10 a.m. - Is breastfeeding a matter of Human Rights?
- Olger Ignacio González Espinosa, Regional Advisor for Human Rights, PAHO
11:25 a.m. - Overview of Breastfeeding in Latin America and the Caribbean
- Michelle Alvarez Garcia Tunon. Food System Specialist, UNICEF Latin America and Caribbean Office (LACRO)
11:40 a.m. - Global Congress on Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes – What next for countries?
- Audrey Morris, Regional Advisor, Food and Nutrition, PAHO
11:50 a.m. - Q&A
- Leo Nederveen, Regional Advisor in Nutrition and Physical Activity, PAHO
12:00 p.m. - Contry experiences and best practices:
- "Love turned into Food Bill" for breastefeeding promotion, protection and support. Karen Panameno, UNICEF Health and Nutrition Officer, El Salvador
- The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes - Protecting breastfeeding in Jamaica. Marchelle Turner-Pitt. Director (Actg.) Nutrition Unit, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Jamaica
12:15 p.m. - Q&A
- Leo Nederveen, Regional Advisor in Nutrition and Physical Activity, PAHO
12:25 p.m. - Closing Remarks
- Leo Nederveen, Regional Advisor in Nutrition and Physical Activity, PAHO

Time in other cities

8:00 a.m. – Los Angeles, Vancouver.
9:00 a.m. - Belmopan, Guatemala City, Managua, Mexico City, San Jose (CR), San Salvador, Tegucigalpa,
10:00 a.m. – Bogota, Kingston, Lima, Panama City, Quito
11:00 a.m. – Asunción, Bridgetown, Caracas, Georgetown, Havana, La Paz, Port of Spain, Port-au-Prince, Nassau, Ottawa, Santiago, San Juan, Santo Domingo, Washington D.C.
12: 00 a.m. - Buenos Aires, Brasilia, Montevideo, Paramaribo.
5:00 p.m. – Geneva, Madrid

For other cities, check the local time using the following link.