The WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3 participated in an expert consultation on strategies to advance tobacco control in the Western Pacific Region, held on 10–11 March 2026 and organized by the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO). The consultation brought together experts and partners to review progress and identify priority actions to accelerate tobacco control efforts across the region.

The meeting was convened as part of efforts to inform the development of a strategic guide to support Member States in strengthening tobacco control and achieving the regional target of a 30% relative reduction in adult tobacco use by 2030. Discussions focused on reviewing the current situational analysis, identifying urgent actions, and assessing practical steps and timelines to strengthen tobacco control policies and programmes.

During the two-day consultation, participants engaged in plenary and breakout discussions on key areas, including the assessment of progress under the Regional Action Plan for Tobacco Control in the Western Pacific (2020–2030), priority policy interventions, and readiness for implementation and stakeholder engagement.

The Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3 contributed technical inputs to the discussions, particularly on addressing tobacco industry interference and strengthening governance measures to safeguard public health policies, in line with Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). The consultation provided an opportunity to highlight key challenges in advancing tobacco control and to emphasize the importance of multisectoral approaches and stronger safeguards against tobacco industry interference.

The outcomes of the consultation will inform the development of the regional strategic guide, which will be presented to the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific for consideration later in 2026.