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22/05/2026

The IFGC at the 79th World Health Assembly advancing dialogue on addiction prevention and public health

The 79th World Health Assembly, convened in Geneva, Switzerland, brought together government delegations, United Nations agencies, international organizations and civil society actors to discuss global public health priorities. As the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization, the Assembly serves as a key platform for international health diplomacy and cooperation on issues related to health systems, universal health coverage, mental health, pandemic preparedness and sustainable development. Held at the Palais des Nations from 18 to 23 May 2026, the Assembly provided an important opportunity for governments, experts and civil society organizations to exchange views on current global health challenges and strengthen international cooperation in the field of public health. Within this framework, the IFGC participated in the 79th World Health Assembly with a particular focus on addiction prevention and public health approaches. Representing 70 Country Green Crescent organizations, IFGC followed discussions related to public health policies and engaged in meetings and side events concerning addiction and preventive health services. A key highlight of IFGC’s participation was its contribution to the panel titled “From Commitment to Coverage, Integrating Substance Use into Universal Health Coverage,” hosted by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on 20 May 2026. The panel brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including international organizations, public health experts and civil society organizations working in the field of chemical and behavioral addiction. Speaking on behalf of IFGC, Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Mehmet Güllüoğlu described addiction as a growing global public health challenge and emphasized that harm reduction approaches alone are not sufficient. IFGC shared recommendations including integrating addiction services into primary healthcare systems, recognizing prevention as an essential health service and strengthening protective public health policies. Throughout the Assembly, IFGC also held courtesy meetings with diplomatic representatives of Türkiye in Geneva. Within this scope, meetings were conducted on 21 May with Türkiye’s Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization Hakan Çakıl and Consul General of Türkiye in Geneva Salih Boğaç Güldere. The International Cooperation and Federation Management Director Ergin Beceren of the The Turkish Green Crescent Society and Manager of the International Federation of Green Crescent, Sara Evli Özhan also met on 22 May with Alex Mejia, Director of the Social Development Division at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. In addition, a courtesy meeting was held with Deputy Director of the Social Development Division Prof. Dr. Ebru Canan-Sokullu to assess ongoing and potential collaborations. Turkish Green Crescent Society also participated in WHA79 through the official delegation of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye. The delegation followed developments related to tobacco and alcohol control policies, mental health and addiction, engaged with international civil society organizations and member state representatives, and participated in side events focusing on scientific developments and good practices in the field of addiction prevention. Members of the Scientific Committee of Türkiye Yeşilay Cemiyeti, Prof. Hakan Coşkunol and Associate Professor Dr. Perihan Torun, also took part in the Assembly as part of the delegation.

20/05/2026

IFGC Participated in IFRC Panel on Addiction Prevention and Universal Health Coverage at WHA79

As IFGC, we participated in the panel "From Commitment to Coverage: Integrating Substance Use into UHC" at WHA79 in Geneva. Hosted by @IFRC, bringing together diverse stakeholders - diverse civil society organizations working on chemical and behavioral addictions —to discuss substance use within Universal Health Coverage for the very first time at the World Health Assembly. Speaking at the panel, IFGC Secretary-General, Ambassador Dr. Mehmet Güllüoğlu, highlighted addiction as a global health crisis and emphasized that harm reduction alone is not enough. Representing our 70 Country Green Crescents, he shared concrete solutions: integrating addiction services into primary care, recognizing prevention as an essential health service, and strengthening protective policies. We stand ready to cooperate globally to leave no one behind!

15.03.2026

IFGC and Country Green Crescents Contributed to CND69 with Strong Civil Society Engagement

The International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC) and its member Country Green Crescents actively participated in the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND69), held from 9 to 13 March 2026 in Vienna, Austria and online.

Throughout the session, 16 Country Green Crescents contributed to global drug policy discussions, including Public Association Against Harmful Habits Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan), Health & Economy (Bangladesh), Conectados Pela Vida (Brazil), Yayasan Green Crescent Indonesia (Indonesia), Green Crescent Colombia (Colombia), Çaşıl Ay Koomu (Kyrgyzstan), Stardom Association (Al Najm) (Lebanon), Pertubuhan Bulan Sabit Hijau Malaysia (Malaysia), Green Crescent Health Development Initiative (Nigeria), Rwanda Youth Impact (Rwanda), Madinaty (Tunisia), Türkiye Yeşilay Cemiyeti (Turkey), Green Crescent Uruguay (Uruguay), The Jordan Anti-Drugs Society (Jordan), Green Crescent Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe), and Green Crescent Colombia (Colombia).

During the session, IFGC coordinated a comprehensive programme of activities addressing key global challenges in addiction prevention and treatment. A total of eight hybrid and online side events were organized directly by Country Green Crescents, while contributions through co-sponsorship increased this number to 13 side events overall. These sessions covered a wide range of themes, including early drug use risks among migrant youth, emerging cocaine trafficking routes in Africa and Asia, poly-substance use and treatment systems, protection of children in vulnerable situations, synthetic drug prevention strategies, youth involvement in the drug economy, and the role of families and communities in strengthening resilience. Country Green Crescents leading these efforts included organizations from Lebanon, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Jordan, Brazil, and Malaysia.

In addition to side events, Country Green Crescents actively contributed to the formal proceedings of the Commission. Three written statements were submitted, including a joint statement on behalf of Green Crescents from Bangladesh, Jordan, Lebanon, Sudan, and Indonesia, highlighting the financial and bureaucratic barriers faced by ECOSOC-accredited NGOs from low- and middle-income countries in accessing United Nations processes. Further written contributions emphasized the importance of youth-led and community-based prevention programmes and framed drug use prevention as a fundamental human right. Two oral statements were also delivered during plenary sessions. The Turkish Green Crescent Society underlined its extensive experience in prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, while calling for stronger, systematic prevention policies. Stardom Association (Lebanon) also delivered an oral intervention, reflecting the key messages of the joint statement on participation challenges.

As part of on-site engagement in Vienna, Lebanon and Malaysia Green Crescents participated physically in the sessions, further strengthening representation from the network. In parallel, the Turkish Green Crescent Society hosted an Art for Awareness exhibition, highlighting the role of creative approaches in raising awareness and supporting prevention efforts. Through these diverse contributions, IFGC and Country Green Crescents reinforced international cooperation and demonstrated the critical role of civil society in shaping inclusive, evidence-based, and human rights-oriented drug policies.