The newly found international trade association will be dedicated to representing the views and interests of the spirits sector at international level and members include the Scotch Whisky Association, Pernod Ricard and Diageo among others.  

WSA will act as a representative partner before international organisations, such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations (UN).  

“The aims of the WSA are to create a common platform for exchange and have a representative body that will allow us to comment on issues of global relevance, particularly in the areas of trade and regulatory policy, and help develop a positive environment for the sustainable success of the sector,” said Rodolfo González, first president of the WSA.

The organization says it will continue to pursue the elimination of tariff, non-tariff barriers and discriminatory taxes as well as fair, transparent and evidence-based regulation.

Adequate excise tax structures, proportionate evidence-based public health measures for distilled spirits and ambitious strategies to combat illicit alcohol are also on the WSA checklist.

Marie Audrens, secretary general for the WSA, added: “Many of us have been working together for nearly two decades, hence setting up a formal trade association to act as a united global voice on the integrity and social responsibility of our spirits industry is a natural and important step forward.”