The Resolutions will first have to be approved by the 156th Executive Board (3-11th February 2025) and then by the 78th WHA (May 19- 27, 2025) We will be working to ensure that no serious weakening occurs.
WHO Documentation on the past and forthcoming meetings will appear here . For previous Blogs Click HERE and HERE
The draft rules of procedure that set 1st November 2024 as the deadline for tabling Resolutions, have still not been fully adopted, but we hope that as many governments as possible will support Brazil’s Zero Draft NOW.
Digital marketing is fast becoming the predominant source of exposure to promotion of baby feeding products globally. In 2022, WHO’s report on digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes described its cross border extent and power. It is now totally out of control and parents and carers everywhere are targeted by paid ‘influencers’ and other deceptive schemes with information that undermines WHO and national health recommendations and disempowers parents.
The Guidance on regulatory measures aimed at restricting digital marketing of breastmilk substitutes published in November 2023, followed WHO’s usual strict procedures and a comprehensive review of evidence that was provided to the 75th WHA in 2022. 65 Member States and Civil Society Organisations responded to an open public consultation that took place in September 2023.
The Guidance aims to help Member States tackle a problem that was not envisaged when the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes was adopted in 1981, and the issue of Digital Marketing demonstrates the continuing need for biennial reporting to the WHA – the world’s highest health policy setting body. 20 WHA Resolutions and Decisions have been adopted since 1981 that have updated the Code in line with marketing and scientific developments.
