The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) calls for a multisectoral approach to implementation, which in practice means cooperation with a variety of United Nations and other international organizations.

Articles 23 and 25 of the WHO FCTC highlight the importance of such cooperation with competent international and regional intergovernmental organizations, including financial and development institutions.

Article 24.3(e) of the Convention mandates the WHO FCTC Secretariat to ensure, under the guidance of the Conference of the Parties (COP), that the necessary coordination takes place.

The seventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP7) adopted decisions FCTC/COP7(26) regarding International cooperation for implementation of the WHO FCTC, including human rights, and FCTC/COP7(27) on the Contribution of the Conference of the Parties to achieving the noncommunicable disease global target for reduced tobacco use.

It also adopted an international cooperation framework which will guide the future work of the Convention Secretariat in promoting international cooperation to implement the WHO FCTC. See the international cooperation framework diagram below.

Since 2013, the Convention Secretariat has been an independent member of UNIATF and ensures that implementation of the WHO FCTC remains a key focus.

Following decision FCTC/COP6(19), the Convention Secretariat was accepted as an independent member of the WHO Global Coordination Mechanism on the prevention and control of NCDs (WHO GCM/NCD) on 10 May 2016.

The scope and purpose of GCM/NCD is to facilitate and enhance the coordination of activities, multi-stakeholder engagement and action across sectors at the local, national, regional and global levels in order to contribute to the implementation of the WHO Global NCD Action Plan 2013–2020.

International intergovernmental and nongovernmental organization observers have played an important role in promoting Convention implementation at all levels. The Convention Secretariat also strengthened collaboration and coordination with UNDP, WHO and other observers to COP at all levels and across different areas to assist Parties in the implementation of the WHO FCTC.