GAPA Virtual Event coming up 12-14 October 2021
The Global Alcohol Policy Alliance Virtual Event 2021 will be held 12-14 October 2021, in the same week that was originally planned for GAPC 2021. While GAPC has been postponed to 2023 the GAPA Virtual Event will offer interactive sessions in different time zones. Each day there will be a session with key-note speakers which will be followed by a regional session with comments from a panel of regional representatives and discussion among participants. See the GAPA Virtual Event for more information about the program in different time zones, speakers and registration. The event is open for all who do not have a conflict of interest from involvement with the alcohol or tobacco industry.
GAPA positions and recommendations for WHO consultation on alcohol action plan
Following a decision at the World Health Organisation 146th Executive Board WHO has started a two-year process to “accelerate action to reduce the harmful use of alcohol” . This includes a consultation towards an action plan 2022-2030 for the global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. WHO released the first draft of the Global alcohol action plan in late July. It was based on the previous Working Document and comments received during the open consultation. An online consultation on the Global alcohol action plan, first draft, has been opened until 3 September 2021
GAPA and its global network is participating actively in the two-year process .
GAPA appeal to President of South Africa
On 20 August 2021 GAPA sent a letter to President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, raising concern over the issuing of liquor licences to petrol stations. Says the letter: “With the serious challenges related both to alcohol problems and road traffic deaths and injuries, allowing petrol stations to become additional alcohol outlets is the wrong signal to send.”
Read more about and see the letter here.
GAPC 2021 postponed until 2023
25 March 2021
Based on the present uncertainty about the development of the COVID-19 pandemic globally, we are postponing the Global Alcohol Policy Conference and this will now be held in Cape Town to 2023 as an in-person event.
New report on alcohol industry activities in Latin America and the Caribbean
GAPA, NCD Alliance, Healthy Latin America Coalition and Healthy Caribbean Coalition have launched a new report based on a systematic review of alcohol industry activities since 2015 in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The report was researched and written by Katherine Robaina, Tom Babor, Ilana Pinsky and Paula Johns and is available in English and Spanish. Read more about and download the report here.
Alcohol and COVID-19: what you need to know
Successful GAPC 2020 held in Dublin, Ireland
The 6th Global Alcohol Policy Conference was held in Dublin Ireland in early March, marking the 20th anniversary since the first GAPC. The event was held a week before most of Europe imposed severe restrictions due to the Covid-19 situation. Of the 412 registrations from 50 countries; 340 attended from 47 countries.
Read more about GAPC 2020 here
Alcohol: a global concern
