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The International Federation of Green Crescents (IFGC), in collaboration with YEDAM (Green Crescent Counseling Center), organized an international webinar titled “Motivational Interviewing in Addiction Recovery: YEDAM’s Psychosocial Approach” on November 6, 2025. The one-hour interactive session brought together participants from across the world to exchange knowledge and experiences on the role of motivational interviewing in addiction recovery. Throughout the webinar, YEDAM Psychologist İrem Dönmez provided an in-depth overview of how motivational interviewing techniques can strengthen communication with clients, address field-related challenges, and enhance psychosocial support through evidence-based approaches. Conducted entirely in English with simultaneous French interpretation, the session also featured practical examples and case discussions contributed by Country Green Crescents, fostering a rich and collaborative learning environment. The webinar was moderated by Dr. Balqis Binti Muhamad Kasim, Secretary General of Pertubuhan Bulan Sabit Hijau Malaysia (Malaysia Green Crescent), ensuring a dynamic and engaging discussion throughout the session. Participants actively contributed through Q&A and open discussion segments, exchanging experiences and perspectives from their respective countries while exploring shared challenges and collaborative solutions.

The 6th Istanbul Initiative Summit, hosted by the Turkish Green Crescent Society on October 23–24, 2025, brought together leading public health experts and members of the International Federation of Green Crescents (IFGC) from around the world at Sepetçiler Pavilion. The summit welcomed distinguished participants from IFGC member organizations, including Stephen Lee and Amy Drost from Green Crescent USA; Balqis Binti Mohamed Kasim from Pertubuhan Bulan Sabit Hijau Malaysia (Malaysia Green Crescent); Mousa Daoud from the Jordan Anti Drugs Society; Yassmin Sabih from Stardom Association (Lebanon); Tarık Sülo Cevizci from the Syria Green Crescent; Tajueddin Abiola from the Green Crescent Health Development Initiative (Nigeria); and Abdulkadir Siraj from the Green Crescent Ethiopia. At the closing session, Turkish Green Crescent Society President Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Dinç underscored the importance of international cooperation and solidarity in countering the growing influence of the addiction industry. Türkiye’s Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu, who also attended the summit, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling these challenges through robust public health policies. Over the two-day program, participants exchanged perspectives on global addiction trends, emerging challenges, and effective prevention strategies, contributing to policy development within the framework of the Istanbul Initiative. Discussions emphasized the alarming rise in youth substance use, digital addictions, and the proliferation of e-cigarettes.