NordAN Conference 2025: Renewing commitment to effective alcohol and drug policy

After last year’s gathering in Oslo, NordAN now moves eastward to Riga, Latvia, a country that has stood out in alcohol consumption statistics but has, in recent years, made determined progress in alcohol policy. A new policy package came into effect in August 2025, and during the conference we will learn more about Latvia’s journey. NordAN last visited Riga in 2014, and as we now mark our 25th year, this return comes at a timely moment to reaffirm our commitment to evidence-based alcohol and drug policies across the Nordic and Baltic regions, and beyond.

As we prepare for the conference, we are mindful of the broader context shaping our work: the ongoing war in Ukraine, economic pressures across our countries, and worsening mental health. These challenges are deeply connected and influence how policy can be developed and sustained. We are currently in dialogue with the WHO Ukraine office and the…