The International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC) took part in the 8th Global Alcohol Policy Conference (GAPC 2026), held in Rio de Janeiro, contributing to global discussions on alcohol policy with its public health-oriented approach and international experience in 8-10 April 2026. The conference brought together policymakers, researchers, and civil society representatives from around the world to address the growing challenges of alcohol-related harm and to promote evidence-based solutions.  As part of the participation, IFGC established an exhibition stand at the conference venue, where it showcased its global activities, partnerships, and ongoing efforts in the field of addiction prevention. The stand attracted considerable interest from participants and served as a platform to strengthen international cooperation and visibility.  During the conference, Ambassador Dr. Mehmet Güllüoğlu, Secretary General of IFGC and Vice President of the Turkish Green Crescent Society, delivered a presentation titled “Public Support for Alcohol Control Policies in Türkiye.” The presentation highlighted findings on public attitudes toward alcohol control measures, emphasizing the strong societal support for policies aimed at protecting public health, particularly among youth and vulnerable groups.  The conference also featured the participation of the Conectados Pela Vida (Green Crescent Brazil), with its President Dr. Alexandre Kieslich Da Silva, taking part in the sessions. In addition, Prof. Dr. Perihan Torun from the Turkish Green Crescent Society delivered a presentation titled “International Alcohol Control Policy Evaluation Study (IAC Study),” offering comparative insights into global policy practices. The active engagement of IFGC and its network members underscored the Federation’s growing role in shaping international dialogue on alcohol policy.

The International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC) has further strengthened its global presence through new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed in Uruguay, Colombia, Ingushetia, Romania, and Singapore, marking an important step in the Federation’s expansion across 70 countries. In Uruguay, Colombia, Ingushetia, and Singapore, the MoUs were signed with designated country focal points, initiating the establishment processes of Country Green Crescents. These agreements represent the beginning of structured efforts to build locally rooted civil society organizations aligned with the Green Crescent model. In Romania, the MoU was signed with Asociația Aer Pur Romania, an established civil society organization active in the field of public health. Through this partnership, the organization has joined the IFGC network and committed to expanding its work across the five key areas of addiction—tobacco, alcohol, substance use, gambling, and technology—while aligning with IFGC’s holistic and evidence-based approach. Through prevention and rehabilitation-focused efforts, IFGC continues to foster coordinated, sustainable, and locally driven responses to addiction, reinforcing its mission to unite and empower civil society worldwide.  

The International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC) and its member Country Green Crescents actively participated in the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND69), held from 9 to 13 March 2026 in Vienna, Austria and online.  Throughout the session, 16 Country Green Crescents contributed to global drug policy discussions, including Public Association Against Harmful Habits Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan), Health & Economy (Bangladesh), Conectados Pela Vida (Brazil), Yayasan Green Crescent Indonesia (Indonesia), Green Crescent Colombia (Colombia), Çaşıl Ay Koomu (Kyrgyzstan), Stardom Association (Al Najm) (Lebanon), Pertubuhan Bulan Sabit Hijau Malaysia (Malaysia), Green Crescent Health Development Initiative (Nigeria), Rwanda Youth Impact (Rwanda), Madinaty (Tunisia), Türkiye Yeşilay Cemiyeti (Turkey), Green Crescent Uruguay (Uruguay), The Jordan Anti-Drugs Society (Jordan), Green Crescent Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe), and Green Crescent Colombia (Colombia). During the session, IFGC coordinated a comprehensive programme of activities addressing key global challenges in addiction prevention and treatment. A total of eight hybrid and online side events were organized directly by Country Green Crescents, while contributions through co-sponsorship increased this number to 13 side events overall. These sessions covered a wide range of themes, including early drug use risks among migrant youth, emerging cocaine trafficking routes in Africa and Asia, poly-substance use and treatment systems, protection of children in vulnerable situations, synthetic drug prevention strategies, youth involvement in the drug economy, and the role of families and communities in strengthening resilience. Country Green Crescents leading these efforts included organizations from Lebanon, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Jordan, Brazil, and Malaysia. In addition to side events, Country Green Crescents actively contributed to the formal proceedings of the Commission. Three written statements were submitted, including a joint statement on behalf of Green Crescents from Bangladesh, Jordan, Lebanon, Sudan, and Indonesia, highlighting the financial and bureaucratic barriers faced by ECOSOC-accredited NGOs from low- and middle-income countries in accessing United Nations processes. Further written contributions emphasized the importance of youth-led and community-based prevention programmes and framed drug use prevention as a fundamental human right. Two oral statements were also delivered during plenary sessions. The Turkish Green Crescent Society underlined its extensive experience in prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, while calling for stronger, systematic prevention policies. Stardom Association (Lebanon) also delivered an oral intervention, reflecting the key messages of the joint statement on participation challenges. As part of on-site engagement in Vienna, Lebanon and Malaysia Green Crescents participated physically in the sessions, further strengthening representation from the network. In parallel, the Turkish Green Crescent Society hosted an Art for Awareness exhibition, highlighting the role of creative approaches in raising awareness and supporting prevention efforts. Through these diverse contributions, IFGC and Country Green Crescents reinforced international cooperation and demonstrated the critical role of civil society in shaping inclusive, evidence-based, and human rights-oriented drug policies.