The Non-Communicable Diseases Department of the Public Health Programs and Policies Division at the Gulf Center for Disease Prevention and Control participated in an informal brainstorming session organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Eastern Mediterranean Region. The session, held from January 20 to 22, 2025, focused on strategies to enhance diplomacy in support of regional tobacco control efforts.
On the final day of the session, Dr. Rasha Al-Fawaz, Director of the Public Health Programs and Policies Division, delivered a keynote presentation titled "The Role of Regional Organizations in Integrating Health Issues into Other Sectors' Agendas." Her presentation emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in adopting comprehensive health policies, highlighting the leadership of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in this field.
Dr. Al-Fawaz also underscored the role of the Gulf Center for Disease Prevention and Control in enhancing tobacco control efforts by fostering multi-sectoral cooperation and supporting joint health initiatives. This aligns with the center’s ongoing commitment to assisting member states in strengthening public health and developing effective policies to address health challenges in the region.
This session marks an important step toward achieving WHO’s objectives of reducing tobacco use and promoting public health through health diplomacy.