Our work

The Global Alcohol Policy Alliance and its global network work actively to reduce alcohol-related harm worldwide by promoting science-based policies independent of commercial interests.

GAPA involvement in WHO process to develop the alcohol action plan

Starting with a discussion at the 72nd World Health Assembly in 2019 WHO embarked on a process leading to the 75th World Health Assembly in 2022 discussing a WHO alcohol action plan 2022-2030. See an overview over developments along with GAPA positions throughout this process.

GAPA Policy positions

Indigenous-led aspirations for effective alcohol policy

Indigenous peoples worldwide experience significant and intergenerational alcohol-related harm and inequity. GAPA’s interim policy statement in support of Indigenous-led aspirations for effective alcohol policy is the outcome of the space provided at GAPC 2023 for Indigenous peoples to connect, discuss shared and unique issues, and identify a way forward.

SDG indicator review submission

In the IAEG-SDGs 2025 Comprehensive Review of the SDG indicators, GAPA made a submission in response to the proposal by the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) to amend indicator 3.5.2 (alcohol per capita consumption (APC)) with prevalence of heavy episodic drinking (HED) and alcohol-related morbidity and mortality.

GAPA submission on NCDs 2024

In May 2024 the World Health Organisation conducted an online hearing to inform the recommendations to be included in the report of the WHO Director-General to the World Health Assembly (WHA) 2025 in preparation for the fourth High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases to be held in September 2025. In the consultation GAPA made the following submission.

View policy positions archive

Updates from the alcohol policy field

GAPA welcomes evidence update on the most effective alcohol policy strategies to protect public health

December 2, 2022

GAPA welcomes the third edition of Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity, written by an international team of addiction scientists and representing more than a decade of new research, explaining why alcohol policy is needed, how it is made, and the impact it has on health and well-being.

RESET Alcohol to address alcohol harms

November 1, 2022

The new initiative launched to address neglected global health crisis of alcohol harms is supported with a $15 million philanthropic award that doubles existing global funding. RESET Alcohol will work in fifteen countries primarily in Latin America, Africa, Asia.

WHA adopts Global Alcohol Action Plan

May 29, 2022

On Friday 27 May 2022, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, the 75th World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted the Global Alcohol Action Plan, in the making for two years. GAPA welcomes the decision by the WHA. Now words must be followed by action, globally and in the member countries. For that, adequate resources are needed, particularly in low and middle-income countries to address global inequities.

View updates archive