Regional consultation with Member States on the implementation of the WHO global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol since its endorsement, and the way forward

The Seventy-second World Health Assembly in May 2019 requested the WHO Director-General to “report to the Seventy-third World Health Assembly in 2020, through the Executive Board, on the implementation of the WHO Global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol during the first decade since its endorsement, and the way forward” (decision WHA72.11). During the discussions at the 72nd World Health Assembly, the WHO Director-General committed that “the report will be elaborated in full consultation and engagement with Member States” and requested that this be reflected accordingly in the official records. In response to decision WHA72.11, a regional consultation with Member States of the Americas was organized on September 19-20 at PAHO Headquarters in Washington D.C., USA. Focal points were appointed by the Ministry of Health and attended the meeting, representing 30 countries, listed in Appendix 1. This report summarizes the main discussions and recommendations from the consultation that will form part of a final, global report to be finalized by the end of November 2019 by WHO Secretariat.