In November 2024, the Article 5.3 Knowledge Hub in Thailand hosted the seventh annual meeting of the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hubs, bringing together representatives from the nine knowledge hubs to strengthen global collaboration on tobacco control. The meeting focused on enhancing the capacity, efficiency, and reach of the knowledge hubs to support WHO FCTC Parties better.

Key milestones included the relaunch of the Knowledge Hub on International Cooperation on Smoke-Free Environments and Tobacco Cessation, as well as the celebration of the McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer’s 10th anniversary as the Knowledge Hub on Legal Challenges.

Participants explored strategies to improve financial sustainability and resource mobilization. Because the meeting was hosted by the Article 5.3 Knowledge Hub, addressing industry interference received much attention. Based on discussions at the meeting, the knowledge hubs have submitted a proposal to hold a symposium proposal for the World Conference on Tobacco Control in June 2025.

The annual meeting of the knowledge hubs was followed up by the annual meeting of the FCTC2030 Project, which was also attended by the WHO FCTC Observatories. A marketplace session provided knowledge hubs and observatories the opportunity to showcase their support capabilities to participating countries. Many countries indicated interest in the support that they could possibly receive from the Knowledge Hub on Tobacco Taxation, hosted by REEP. Requests will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

For any queries about the Knowledge Hub, please contact Zunda Chisha at zundac@gmail.com.