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WTO NEWS: 2003 NEWS ITEMS

3 March 2003

Director General Supachai Welcomes WHO Tobacco Agreement

WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi welcomed today a public health agreement to control the supply and consumption of tobacco which was reached 1 March by the 171 World Health Organization member states.

The Framework Convention of Tobacco Control, the first international agreement of its kind, will be endorsed by the WHO's annual assembly in May.

“I congratulate all of those who worked so hard to bring about this important agreement, particularly WHO Director-General Gro Harlem Brundtland. When dealing with the pressing problems of our age, whether they relate to improving health standards or eradicating poverty, there can be no doubt that the nations of the world must work together. A multilateral approach to problem solving offers all of us the best hope for a better world,” said Director General Supachai.