A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) and the Regional Office for the Framework Convention Alliance for Tobacco Control for the Eastern Mediterranean (FCA) with an aim to promote cooperation in providing assistance regarding the development of policies and legislation as well as the capacity building programmes related to tobacco control in the OIC Member Countries.

According to the MoU, the two parties shall exchange technical and administrative assistance in matters of common interest, such as the preparation of studies and research and the issuing of books, guidelines and educational tools related to tobacco control, training programmes, seminars, workshops and so on. Moreover, the parties shall exchange information and data, documents, statistical periodicals and other relevant publications on the activities, events and issues of common concern.

The MoU reflects the common objectives of the SESRIC and FCA Regional Office towards establishing a network of cooperation between organizations, associations and institutions interested in the field of tobacco control along with interested national and regional organizations, as well as encouraging OIC Member Countries to establish national committees for the formulation of policies and strategies for tobacco control in cooperation with the Regional Office of WHO.