78th WHA Individual Statements
An over-arching principle of the first UN Political Declaration and many WHO Strategies, Guides and Tools has been the prevention, management and avoidance of commercial influence and interference in public health policy development.
Despite many references to ‘Multi Stakeholder engagement' in the report and evaluation, references to Conflicts of Interest safeguards are strangely missing. With increased pressure to prioritise economic growth rather than human and planetary health, we urge Member States to take particular care and to ensure all interactions with private sector entities are transparent, follow independent evidence of risk and are grounded in human rights. If not the actions will be delayed and derailed.
WHO and Member States must also ensure that trade policies at Codex and WTO follow WHO recommendations