Geneva, Switzerland – 20 November 2025
CREA participated today in a high-level meeting with the President of COP11 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), together with youth representatives from Africa, Europe, Latin America and Asia. The discussion highlighted a shared priority: the need to establish a structured, permanent and meaningful mechanism for youth participation within COP processes and FCTC decision-making.
Youth representatives outlined that young people continue to be targeted by the tobacco and nicotine industry through flavoured products, online marketing and new delivery systems, while also contributing as health professionals, researchers, data specialists, communicators and advocates with direct experience in the Convention’s implementation.
Participants noted that current mechanisms within the COP do not yet capture the full technical capacity of young professionals, nor the importance of intergenerational perspectives in treaty governance. They pointed to other UN processes, such as the UNFCCC, where youth participation is formally recognized, and encouraged Parties to explore similar approaches under the FCTC.
«This is a very important meeting. We need young people like you: knowledgeable, enthusiastic and committed to continue the fight against the tobacco epidemic. I personally believe that youth participation is a legitimate interest, and we should work together to make it viable.”
Dr. Reina Roa, President of COP11 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)
CREA emphasized that youth are already strengthening national and regional processes: mobilizing communities, developing communication campaigns, participating in meetings with delegations, and directly confronting industry interference . The delegation highlighted the importance of creating an institutionalized space that allows for the contribution of evidence, experience, and solutions from a youth perspective before, during, and after each COP
“We are deeply grateful to Dr. Reina Roa for welcoming young people from diverse organizations and helping formalize youth participation in this conference, which is so crucial for defending our rights. The interest is already there. Now it must translate into meaningful and sustained engagement. Dr. Roa offered us invaluable clarity on how we can make that possible.”
Gianella Severini, Co-founder of CREA and Advisory Council Member
Young people from different parts of the world agreed to join forces and concluded the meeting by recalling that the tobacco industry is constantly reinventing itself to attract new generations, and that therefore the FCTC must ensure that the voices of those who will be responsible for sustaining future progress have a real place at the decision-making table.
Building on this momentum, CREA also joined additional youth-focused engagements during the conference. Youth representatives met with Andrew Black, Acting Head of the WHO FCTC Secretariat, to present their priorities and explore avenues for more formal participation in future treaty cycles. They also attended a session with Etienne Krug, Director of the WHO Department of Social Determinants of Health, where youth organizations outlined why structured involvement is essential for addressing inequities linked to the tobacco industry. In both meetings, organizations introduced their mandates and reaffirmed their interest in securing a clear and sustained role within FCTC working processes.
The CREA delegation involved Raquel Sciarri, Andrea Herrera, Beatriz Albuquerque, Gianella Severini, and more than 50 volunteers providing remote support. Their commitment and dedication make meaningful and high-impact participation possible in these global spaces for coordination, advocacy, and public health defense.
