South Africa Welcomes Global Alcohol Policy Conference, October 24-26, 2023

Subtitle: The 7th Global Alcohol Policy Conference takes place in Cape Town with a focus on “Prioritizing people over profits: advancing the Framework Convention on Alcohol Control.”

South Africa Prepares for Inaugural African GAPC Event

South Africa eagerly anticipates hosting the 7th Global Alcohol Policy Conference (GAPC) for the first time on the African continent, from October 24 to 26, 2023. The conference will be held at the Cape Town Convention Centre, drawing in over 400 delegates from across the globe.

The GAPC is a biennial event that aims to decrease harm associated with alcohol consumption around the world through the promotion of evidence-based policies. The theme for the 2023 conference is “Prioritizing people over profits: advancing the Framework Convention on Alcohol Control.” This gathering highlights the necessity for proactive strategies at both national and international levels to mitigate the negative effects of alcohol.

The conference program includes various plenary sessions that address key issues, such as gender-based violence and alcohol, alcohol pricing policies, regulation of digital marketing of alcohol, addressing conflicts of interest, and introducing new initiatives for effective policies and reducing industry influence. These discussions will be led by esteemed researchers, activists, and scientists.

Co-hosts and Sponsors Support GAPC 2023

The Department of Social Development, Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), and Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) have joined forces to co-host the event. Additional support comes from the World Health Organization (WHO), DG Murray Trust, the National Department of Health, and SA Tourism as co-sponsors. Further funding has been provided by the National Research Foundation, Western Cape Provincial Government, and Open Philanthropy.

Presently, South Africa is confronting high levels of binge drinking and related harm, as alcohol is the most commonly used psychoactive substance in the nation. In response to these challenges, the Department of Social Development has drafted a comprehensive policy framework to address alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. This draft policy, approved by the Social Protection, Community and Human Development (SPCHD) Cabinet Committee, is set to be published for public feedback.

Draft Policy Framework and Conference Participation

The proposed policy is centered around three core elements: demand reduction, supply reduction, and harm reduction. It integrates various sectoral interventions, including treatment, rehabilitation, recovery, and packages of care for harm reduction-related activities. These elements emphasize evidence-based approaches and strategies to lessen the negative public health impacts of alcohol and other drugs.

Lindiwe Zulu, the Minister of Social Development, is set to be a keynote speaker at the conference. The department is hopeful that once approved, the policy framework will effectively address the severe challenges posed by alcohol and other drugs. Furthermore, the conference has adopted a principled position by excluding alcohol organizations, their partners, and anyone associated with the alcohol industry to allow for a space to discuss policy options without industry interference.

The GAPC presents an opportunity for exchanging ideas, experiences, and strategies for tackling alcohol-related harm on an international scale. It reinforces the vital message that prioritizing people’s health and well-being should come before profit. The Cape Town event will surely stimulate new conversations and encourage collaboration among stakeholders worldwide.

To register for the conference, visit https://gapc2023.samrc.ac.za/index.html. For inquiries, please contact Ms. Lumka Oliphant, Mr. Julian Jacobs, or Ms. Terri-Liza Fortein.