Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding public health and advancing evidence-based tobacco control policies, Meqoamia Community Development Organization (MCDO) actively participated in a high-level regional consultation webinar held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The webinar, titled “Protecting Tobacco Control in Times of Crisis: Moving Beyond Tobacco Industry Charity to Alternative Government Solutions,” convened key stakeholders, policymakers, and public health advocates from across the globe.
This strategic regional consultation was jointly organized by leading international and continental public health bodies:
- WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO)
- Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC)
- Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM)
- African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA)
Key Highlights and Global Experts
The event featured prominent international experts and public health leaders who delivered insightful presentations on counteracting tobacco industry interference:
- Mary Assunta — Head of Global Research and Advocacy at GGTC
- Andrew Black — Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC)
- Prof. Lekan Ayo-Yussuf — Director of ATIM
Discussions centered on neutralizing corporate social responsibility (CSR) tactics used by the tobacco industry to influence health governance during crises, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable, government-led health protection mechanisms.
MCDO’s Strategic Commitment
As an official member of the African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) and the designated host organization for the ISSUP Ethiopia National Chapter, MCDO continues to play a vital role in national and regional public health advocacy.
Through these strategic affiliations, MCDO remains dedicated to promoting robust tobacco control policies, countering industry interference, and building healthier, resilient communities in Ethiopia and across the African continent.