The Global Fund has suspended its partnership with the beer company Heineken. “It is based on recent reports of the company’s use of female beer promoters in ways that expose them to sexual exploitation and health risks”, explains the Fund in a brief press statement.

A new and updated version of the International Standards on Drug Use Prevention was launched during the CND session in Vienna in March. More than anything else this new version reconfirms the conclusions in the first edition of the document.

Norwegian board member, Jon Lomøy, in the Global Fund states that Norway cannot support the recently announced partnership between the Fund and Heineken. The statement follows a joint open letter to the Global Fund urging it to end the Heineken deal.

Concerned over a new partnership between the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria and Heineken, three public health networks have recently sent an open joint letter to the Global Fund. They point out the dangers inherent in partnerships with the producers and marketers of hazardous products such as alcohol.

The newly established West African Alcohol Policy Alliance was officially launched with a ceremony in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. Professor Isidore Obot welcomed the new branch of the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance in his capacity as vice-chair of GAPA: “WAAPA is a strongly needed civil society voice”.

The first invitation is now out to the 13th Biennial International Conference on Drugs, alcohol and society in Africa. The conference will be held in Abuja, Nigeria, 19-21 September.