WSA teaming up with BCIU and TRACIT on Illicit Trade at the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings
Illicit trade is a growing global threat. It undermines economies, fuels organized crime, and often puts lives at risk. Its impact varies across regions, but the damage is widespread – lost tax revenue, weakened institutions, and harm to legitimate businesses. In sectors like pharmaceuticals and spirits, the risks go beyond economics. Fake medicines and counterfeit […]
Celebrating 2024 Successes in the Spirits Industry: Key Takeaways from the WSA Academy Webinar
In February 2025, WSA launched its inaugural session of the WSA Academy with the #CelebrateSpirits webinar. WSA members convened to share highlights of industry achievements and success stories from their markets in 2024. Speakers from Asia Pacific International Spirits & Wines Alliance (APISWA), IBRAC – Instituto Brasileiro da Cachaça, Alianza de Bebidas Espirituosas de Latinoamérica […]
WSA Submits Comments Supporting Inclusive, Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue Ahead of the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs
As preparations advance for the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), the World Spirits Alliance (WSA) is proud to have joined a coalition of responsible industry actors, led by the Inaternational Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in co-signing a joint letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The letter emphasizes the critical importance of a […]
Membership update: WSA Welcomes ABELAC and ADSA
WSA is pleased to announce that two esteemed organizations have joined our membership: The Alianza de Bebidas Espirituosas de Latinoamérica y el Caribe (ABELAC), a regional trade association representing the interests of the spirits sector in Latin America and the Caribbean The American Distilled Spirits Alliance (ADSA), a group of industry leaders in manufacturing, importing, […]
WSA joins Business at OECD (BIAC) as a Member of the Global Network
The WSA has joined Business at OECD as a member of the global network! BIAC is an international business body that connects the business community with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and its governments. It advocates for policies enabling the private sector to pursue sustainable economic development, and societal prosperity while also […]
ABELAC Holds Summit on Spirits Sector’s Economic and Cultural Contribution
The Alianza de Bebidas Espirituosas de Latinoamérica y el Caribe (ABELAC) Summit brought together industry leaders, to explore strategies to enhance the spirits sector’s role within a rapidly evolving global landscape. At the heart of the exchanges were topics ranging from responsibility, cultural preservation, and economic impact. Among the distinguished participants were Helen Medina, CEO of […]
Celebrating 30 Years of the WTO’s Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement
A Milestone for Global Trade & Industry Standards In November 2024, the WTO marked the 30th anniversary of the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) agreement, a regulatory framework that has played a critical role in shaping international trade standards. For the spirits industry, this agreement has been instrumental in ensuring regulatory transparency, reducing trade barriers, […]
WSA Addresses UN Tax Committee on Alcohol Taxation at 29th Session
Shaping Balanced & Effective Taxation Policies In October 2024, the UN Tax Committee convened in Geneva to discuss international tax policies, including recommendations on alcohol taxation. Given the growing focus on health-driven tax measures, this session was a crucial opportunity to ensure a fair and evidence-based approach to alcohol excise policies. Representing the WSA, Helen Medina, […]
WSA Meets with the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean at the WTO
In October 2024, WSA had the privilege of joining a meeting of the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva. We thank Ambassador Alexander Gabriel Yánez Deleuze of Venezuela and the GRULAC delegates for their warm welcome and for convening this timely discussion on the economic, […]
Membership Update: South African Liquor Brand owners Association (SALBA) Joins the Alliance
A warm welcome to WSA’s newest member: South African Liquor Brand owners Association (SALBA)! We are looking forward to working together on common advocacy areas and topics in the spirits industry. SALBA is a non-profit organisation, established in September 2005, whose sole objective is to represent its members, who are manufacturers and distributors of liquor […]