WHO / Roxane Schneider
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Fifth WHO Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours (FADAB)

24 – 26 June 2025

Virtual, by invitation only,

Aligning efforts, strengthening solidarity and partnerships

The Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours (ADA) Unit, within the Department of Mental Health and Substance Use at WHO Headquarters organizes, for the third time, the WHO global Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours (FADAB).

The primary goal of the fifth WHO Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours (FADAB) is to boost international partnerships and collaboration to accelerate and sustain public health actions aimed at reducing the health and social burden due to substance use and addictive behaviours.The Forum will provide an opportunity to discuss a variety of topics organized around several major thematic tracks addressing the public health dimensions of: (1) alcohol use; (2) psychoactive drug use; (3) addictive behaviours (gaming and gambling); and (4) cross-cutting issues. The Forum will bring together technical focal points from Member States, UN agencies, civil society organizations, academia and other public health-oriented organizations, networks and institutions to share information and learn about policy and scientific developments around the responses to alcohol use, psychoactive drug use and addictive behaviours.

"The WHO Secretariat is pleased to welcome you to the fifth edition of the Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours (FADAB), which will be held online this year, making it accessible to participants from around the world. Building on the success of the previous FADABs held in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023, the fifth Forum aims to enhance international collaboration among key stakeholders in the fields of substance use and addictive behaviours.

This year's Forum will focus on the implementation of key international commitments and effective strategies to reduce the harms related to alcohol, drugs, and addictive behaviours. The goal is to increase our collective understanding of the global situation regarding these issues and to support the dissemination and development of evidence-informed policies, strategies, and interventions to reduce the associated burden.

While 2025 presents significant challenges for global health, we aim to align efforts and strengthen solidarity and partnerships. The need for collaboration to address substance use and addictive behaviours as important determinants of health, including mental health, and well-being, has become even more evident. It is essential to promote and support international efforts and partnerships advance progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030 targets. This includes SDG health target 3.5, which calls for strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance use and substance use disorders.

Your engagement is key to shaping collaborative, evidence-informed responses to global challenges.

We look forward to your active participation and meaningful contributions throughout the Forum."

Dr Jeremy Farrar
Assistant Director-General
Division of Health Promotion, Disease & Control
World Health Organization

The forum is by invitation only.

If you have not received an invitation but would like to attend, you can still fill in the form and write a few lines on why you would like to participate, based on which we will consider your attendance to the Forum.

For more information please send an e-mail to msd-ada@who.int or cresteh@who.int.

Provisional programme

Download the Forum's flyer

WHO can join the Forum?

You may be invited because:

as a policymaker engaged in priority setting, development and evaluation of prevention and treatment strategies, you are keen to join a global forum that will lead to new partnerships and engagement with others to identify, develop and implement cutting-edge strategies and programmes
as a healthcare provider or commissioner, you want to join a global forum sharing with and learning from your peers on sharpening and implementing new approaches for prevention, screening, and treatment interventions, and better understand how evidence-based prevention and treatment can be financed and implemented
as a focal point for this area in a Permanent Mission in Geneva, you would like to know more about WHO activities, partnerships and other international efforts as an official of an intergovernmental organization, or a United Nations specialized agency, you want to take up the opportunity to join a global, united force, to meet other experts and influencers face-to-face, and to strengthen your networks
as a representative of a professional association or other nongovernmental organization, you are eager to be part of a forum where you can interact with key players, seize advocacy opportunities, and better position your work in furthering policy and programme changes
as an academic, you want to benefit from a global platform to explore avenues for knowledge translation, identify research gaps and join forces with new partners in developing and actioning new research agendas
as a philanthropic foundation representative, you want to be part of a global movement that meets new players and opens new solutions for your foundation to improve health and well-being of populations
as a representative of a public health oriented entity that is concerned with the scope and magnitude of public health problems related to alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviours, you would like to explore ways to better contribute to reduce these problems