Egypt: We request an edit to CRP12(?). Responding to the continued lack of diversity, we add the following footnote: building on the international civil service commission, we request the delegation to further clarify this proposal

Russia: in several CND resolutions, we used the term diversity this hasn’t been clarified (diversity on annex 5 of this report). We encourage the UNODC staff to update its policy in regard to diversity.

Chair: Thanks for this explanation. I see no contestation so it is decided. On agenda item 5, we have the implementation of international drug control treaties.  In its resolution 58/11, the Commission invited WHO to provide regular and timely recommendations for the scheduling of new psychoactive substances by continuing to explore the potential of assessing structurally related substances and substances with similar harm and dependence potential, enhance data-collection tools and contribute to the development of rapid assessment strategies based on all available sources of information.  The 40th meeting of the ECDD was held in Geneva 4-7 June, dedicated to cannabis (…), the 41st meeting was held 12-16 November and it was focused on issues of drug dependence. Critical review of the cannabis (…) was undertaken as well as a number of new psychoactive like fentanyl analogues and will present their findings on harm and effect on health.

Gilles Forte, WHO: The 1961 (article 3) and 1971 (article 2) conventions mandate the WHO to undertake assessment of most prevalent and harmful psychoactive substances. – this is done through the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) that the WHO convenes mostly on an annual basis. Their role is assessing risk of harm to health and dependence and, when relevant, the importance of therapeutic use – we don’t look at other issues. Once the recommendations are issued, they go to the Director General for review and then he submits it to CND. We have 12 experts on the committee, who all have recognized scientific expertise from the WHO pool of experts and they are selected through a rigorous process so that they don’t have any interest related to the topic at hand, plus geographic and gender balance is taken into account. We also have observers participating in our meetings – representing the INCB, the secretary of the UNDS as an integral part of the discussions. We pursue data from regional monitoring centers and relevant international institutions. We make sure we get feedback from various partners in the open sessions where we consult the private sector, academia and civil society. As you can see, we work with a large amount of information, so we have the best possible evidence base and make informed decisions. The process of review goes from conducting a critical review (based on published and unpublished data) to member state questionnaires to other sources of data, then to the consultation process.
We reviewed a number of substances at the 41st meeting of the ECDD and found 4 fentanyls that showed similarities in the likelihood of abuse: para-fluoro-butyryfentanyl, ortho-fluorofentanyl, methoxy-acetyl-fentanyl, cyclo-propyl-fentanyl. These are deadly substances without recognized therapeutic use. They are similar to opioid analgesic fentanyl, are clandestinely manufactured, sold as heroin or as adulterant to heroin – have opioid effects and respond to naloxone/naltrexone. We recommend these 4 to be placed under schedule 1 of the 1961 convention. The 5th fentanyl we looked at, para-methoxy-butyrylfentanyl, we found no proof of fatalities, it is used in a limited number of countries so the committee recommends this to be placed under surveillance.
We also reviewed 4 synthetic cannabinoids: ADB-FUBINACA, FUB-AMB, CUMYL-4CN-BINACA, ADB-CHMINACA. There is a global use of these, but particularly in Northern Asia, Europe and North America. The substances are usually sprayed onto herbal material that looks like Cannabis, but is much more potent than THC or cannabis. It has effects similar to substances that are already scheduled and we found no record of therapeutic use. We also recommend N-Ethylnorpentylone (ephylone), a cathinone that have been sold as MDMA and have caused fatal and non-fatal intoxications in a number of countries, to be placed in schedule 2 of ‘71. Pregabalin, a medicine used to treat neuropathic pain and postherpetic neuralgia, anxiety, has the capacity to cause physical dependence, although the withdrawal symptoms’ severity is related to dosage. We decided we do not have sufficient information on this substance, so we put it under surveillance. Tramadol is often present in drug related deaths. It is an opioid analgesic with mild opioid-like effects, its dependence is dose related –it has a similar profile to morphine or methadone. Tramadol is under national control in many countries. The committee was concerned with the increased reporting of dependence, but also recognized a clear lack of alternative analgesics for pain relief as it is a very important medicine in low income countries. We recommend this not be scheduled so that the access to this medicine is not adversely impacted, especially in countries where it is the only available analgesic in crisis situations. We will consider it for review and strongly recommend WHO partners to consider the grossly inadequate access to this medication in developing countries, to disseminate WHO guidelines to address tramadol related crises in countries.

As far as cannabis is concerned, the necessary clearance process is ongoing. I regret that I must inform you that the necessary clearance process to communicate this information could not be conducted in time for this meeting. The DG requested that further processing is needed on this complex issue – we will make all efforts to communicate results with the shortest possible delay, before the CND.

Chair: Thank you. Earlier this week, we held intergovernmental expert group meetings on the nonmedical use of synthetic opioids. The UNODC was requested, together with the INCB and WHO, to organize such a meeting with the intent to learn more about challenges and propose core elements to the international response. Justice Tettey is here to talk about the outcomes.

Justice Tettey, UNODC: We have indeed witnessed an unprecedented phenomena on drug markets, the emergence of substances with similar effects to scheduled substances: we see one new substance every week. Today we encountered over 850 of such substances, 110 countries are affected, numerous fatalities and hospitalization have been recorded. We are stepping into a new phase: innovation & emergence of new substances. Rapid increase in opioids doesn’t just mean fentanyls and not just America. UNODC is in close collaboration with the INCB and WHO concluded its meeting on opioids to get member states to share experiences, identify core elements to this phenomena and detect substances, ensure availability for medicinal use but with attention to diversion, enhance international cooperation in data collection and sharing. We have a set of recommendations coming out from the meeting, including removing stigma, ensuring access to treatment and overdose reversing medicines. Our intention is to share a report in all 6 languages of our work – before CND. Moving on from opioids, the UNODC’s early warning system continues to monitor substances showing up, detect the most prevalent, and good news is that a number of these prevalent and persistent substances are placed under international control. As we enter a new phase where substances are disappearing, we see good effects of international cooperation. To sum up what has been achieved in the past four years – 39 NPS and 2 precursors have been scheduled and we are probably looking at adding 4 more substances at the next CND. There are a number of countries that are not in the position to identify substances so we have to trust in the international community for collecting best evidence.

Chair opening the floor for comments.

Afghanistan: I would like to thank everyone for their work, and commend you on your amazing leadership & wish you all the best in your future endeavors. We believe the 3 conventions are the rock bed of our international drug control system and we are fully committed to them as well as the central role of CND in global drug policy making. We are looking forward to continue to work together with INCB and WHO. We encourage more collaboration and thank our friends and other relevant agencies for their work. Deepest gratitude to the nations that supported Afghanistan in the last 17 years!

Nigeria: We applaud the UNODC, the INCB and the WHO on their accelerating the process of the inclusion of synthetic opioids in international drug control. We have a great concern regarding the illegal use of opioids and high dosages. Tramadol is one of the highly abused drugs and we are fully aware of the implications of its presence – we stepped up inter agency cooperation to suppress nonmedical use and help those already dependent. We encourage [it’s scheduling and] to coordinate activities to prevent larger harm and the spread of the crisis.

Mexico: We’d like to acknowledge the role of the ECDD, its work is not responding to a direct mandate arising from the conventions but it allows us, the members of CMD, to underscore how relevant it is to have scientific information in taking drug policy decision and strengthen the public health dimension of the world drug problem. Therefore the expectations of the ECDD’s work is great and we respectfully support strengthening and accelerating its findings.
I am pleased to share that the government of Mexico sent a note to the treaty division that after comprehensive assessment, we decided to withdraw the objection we made in 2013 to the reservation submitted by Bolivia and also the objection from 2011 to propose modification to the conventions.

Egypt: Thanks for the presentations. We are definitely disappointed of the outcome when it comes to Tramadol and would like to share the following remarks: we reaffirm our stances when it comes to the dangers of Tramadol, we would actually challenge the ECDD to provide any evidence that the scheduling of tramadol, according to 1971, will affect the availability of tramadol for medical purposes. As mentioned in the presentation of the ECDD, similar substances to scheduled substances requires similar measures and we have seen this taking place with fentanyl analogues. Why isn’t this taking place with Tramadol? Our argument remains the same, Egypt is one of the producer countries, for suppression… the only way is scheduling. We think it has to be taken out of the market and we are disappointed by the lack of measures. It costs us lives. Low and middle income countries are paying the price for this lack of urgency. We will keep working with the ECDD and CND… in this regard, I would request form Mr. Fort to provide more info on the measures to be taken to counter Tramadol and more info on when again this critical review is to expected.

China: Thanks WHO experts for the presentation. China, as always, supports WHO in carrying out its mandates that was given by the conventions. For the WHO’s decision on scheduling 4 fentanyls, we express our support. At the same time, together with Nigeria and Egypt, we express our regret on the recommendation not to schedule Tramadol. Non-medical use of opioids and their abuse is greatly seen around the globe. There are similarities in fentanyl and tramadol: abuse. We encourage the WHO to take into account the concerns of African and Asian countries and contact more in-depth review so we can come to a more responsible decision. WHO is delaying releasing their recommendations on cannabis – we would like to point out that this is the type of drug most abused and wide-spread globally with THC as the main psychoactive element: they are widely prohibited, harmful and are widely known as gateway drugs. Regarding the potential use for medical purpose, there is not sufficient evidence for that – globally cannabis is not used as a frontline clinical drug and it can be completely replaced by other drugs. We are worried that if we relax the control on cannabis, we mostly would likely send the wrong signal to the international community and mislead the public, especially the youth. We would lower the barrier for accessing cannabis and that will lead to an increasing number of people abusing this substances. We trust the WHO will follow the principle of science, objectivity, evidence, reason and will carry out precautious and more in depth assessment in this this process with hope it will engage with closed communication with CND so that we WHO will come to a responsible decision.

Canada: Thank you for the informative presentations. We remain strongly supportive of the independent work of ECDD. As a number of synthetic drugs are circulating, we welcome and encourage the ECDD to review the most prevalent and harmful substances. We welcome the confirmation that ECDD is preparing to meet more often and to accelerate issuing recommendations for the international drug control regime. Commission members are aware of the public health crisis due to the proliferation of synthetic opioid. These substances have limited or no medial use are already controlled in Canada and we welcome their scheduling internationally. The proliferation of these highly dangerous drugs is a global concern. We encourage all CND members to vote in favor of placing these under schedule. We are particularly indebted to you Madame chair, we know ambassadors are busy here in Vienna so we are especially grateful for all your work.

Russia: On the outset, I express the gratitude of my delegation to the WHO for the information provided. We value the work of the ECDD. Harmful and wide-spread potent substances, particularly NPS remain to pose a serious threat. As for changes in the scheduling of cannabis – this issue should be carefully considered and worked on, we believe any hasty decision on not scheduling would be counterproductive and dangerous, particularly in the context of recent legalization I certain countries. We thank the WHO for intending to further study this very important issue and strongly recommend they take into account the views of the INCB, the stance of CND and member states.

Nigeria: wholly based on this – part of the incidences with tramadol include violence. Nigeria can attest to that. We have an urgency fueled by tramadol. If this is not contained, I’m afraid in the name if waiting to be scheduled, there will be a bigger problem.

Pakistan: support for China and Russia’s statement regarding Cannabis. We share the concerns.

WHO: We are very much willing to continue the discussion and collaboration. We do understand the views and positions of the delegations and want to let you know that the process doesn’t stop here today. We are happy to continue this dialogue – our work is very specialized, so today what I hear is an invitation for further engagement… so we can address substances and the various issues. There is an issue of advocacy, it’s about making the right interventions on the domestic level and awareness raising is an important aspect. We have tools and mechanisms, so in collaboration with CND, WHO, UNODC and civil society, we can bring solutions to problems.

Algeria: Congratulations on your work throughout this challenging year – we are living a pivotal moment in history and we are looking to reach consensus. Would it be possible to inform ECDD of the comments and statements delivered today, following the presentation? This way they know to what extent we support them in their efforts?

Austria: We would like to echo previous delegations in thanking ECDD for the work and the great presentation. We very much welcome and underline the strong cooperation between Geneva and Vienna based organizations. We are looking forward to the full report. As Algeria said, in the spirit of cooperation, we’d like our comments to be shared in Geneva.

Chair: Thank you for your comments, we are taking notes and will make sure to share the comments from today in Geneva.

France: Helping us understand the recommendations, we take note and commend the work of WHO/ECDD. The degree of complexity and technical nature of today’s presentation is high, we will be studying these recommendations with our experts. We aim to protect public health and access to tramadol is a growing international concern as well as overuse – a surge we really need to curve. Turning to cannabis, we are closely following your work and recommendations that will undoubtedly have an impact on the upcoming CND session. Thanks for your work, chair.

Chair: If there are no more national statements, we move on to our next agenda point: Contributions by the Commission to the work of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), in line with General Assembly resolution 68/1, including follow-up to and review and implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development contribution to the 2030 agenda. Let me recall that as chair I was invited to report on the work of CND at the 61st session coordination and management meeting of the ECOSOC. At the meeting, there was a panel discussion of chairs of functional: CCPJ, Commission on the Status of Women and UN Statistical Commission. Each chair had the opportunity to explain their respective commission contributes to the SDGs including cross cutting issues. Speakers emphasized the important role of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council in the review process, and encouraged the Commission, as the main policymaking body in the United Nations system dealing with drug-related matters, to continue working closely with all relevant partners, including United Nations entities and the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council. The Commission may wish to use its reconvened sixty-first session to further consider how it can, within its mandates, best contribute to the follow-up to the 2030 Agenda and support the review of its implementation.
Now, I would like to hand it over to Hilary Gbedmah.

Hilary Gbedmah, UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW): Madam Chair, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. The Outcome Document of UNGASS 2016 recognizes the dimension of human development, including poverty, health, the rule of law, gender equality, human rights and the environment with drug policy. CEDAW perspectives relevant to the world drug problem have been expressed through its Concluding Observations (COBs)to states parties. These share the positions held by various UN outcome documents and Reports on the one hand, and the Sustainable Development Goals on the other. In addition to the Committee’s COBs, which have a standard paragraph on its alignment with the SDGs, the Committee has submitted contributions on the matter before the 2016 HLPF. The Convention on the Elimination of Women, the second most ratified Convention, has a focus on human rights and development. Its first 16 Articles articulate areas of discrimination against women. The Convention’s definition of equality between women and men is substantive equality which is equated to equality of outcomes. This means a purely formal legal or programmatic approach is not sufficient to achieve women’s de facto equality with men. According to CEDAW General Recommendation 25 Paragraph 8, It is not enough to guarantee women treatment that is identical to … men. Rather, biological as well as socially and culturally constructed differences between women and men must be taken into account. Under certain circumstances, non-identical treatment of women and men will be required in order to address such differences. Account must be taken of diversity, difference, disadvantage and discrimination and move from “equal treatment” to “equality of outcomes” (GR 25 para. 9). This applies to issues concerning women and drugs. One cannot treat “likes as likes”. Throughout the continuum of drug production, use and trade, impacts on women are different from men. Where necessary, temporary special measures should be used to achieve substantive equality. Intersectional Discrimination, SDG 5 This finds parallels in SDG 5 on gender equality. Women’s situation in the drug trade and use is largely based on inequalities in power, wealth, education, employment opportunities etc. These become compounded where women face intersectional or several layers of discrimination such as race, class … The Committee has expressed concern about this category, including women drug users, and has recommended equal rights and opportunities for them (para 33. CEDAW/C/KGZ/CO/4 (CEDAW, 2015)). Furthermore, it has asked for a nationwide study on pregnant women to establish the number of women who use drugs, including while pregnant, in order to inform strategic planning. (CEDAW/C/GEO/CO/4-5 (CEDAW, 2014)). Apart from SDG 5, the vulnerabilities of disadvantaged groups of women are addressed by SDGs 1 (end poverty), 2 (end hunger), 4 (ensure inclusive and equitable quality education), 8 (full and productive employment and decent work for all) and 10 (on reduced inequalities, whose target 10.3 is to ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome). Health and the Rights-based Discourse, SDG 3 It is in CEDAW’s Article 10 on Health and its General Recommendation No. 24 (1999) on Women and Health that most of the rights-based discourses on women and drug issues are situated. This has parallels with SDG 3. In this regard, the Committee has recommended an overall human rights approach in asking that a State party reconsider the criminalization of the possession and use of drugs; adopt a right-to-health approach to drug abuse with harm reduction strategies … and increase the availability of treatment services that are evidence-based and respectful of the rights of drug users. It has also recommended a stop to extrajudicial killings and all forms of violence against drug users, prompt and thorough investigation all reported cases, punishment of perpetrators with sanctions commensurate with the gravity of the crime. The Concluding Observations further recommended that the state party take all measures necessary to ensure that the fight against drug trafficking does not have a discriminatory impact on the poor and marginalized which is a recognition of the effects of multiple and intersectional discrimination. (E/C.12/PHL/CO/5-6 (CESCR, 2016) para 54). Within the human rights approach in health, the Committee has made various recommendations in the areas of preventative action, the need for increased resource allocation, more effective enforcement of drug and alcohol laws, the lack of gender-sensitive programs, human rights driven compliance of existing laws and interventions, and increased bilateral cooperation. The Committee has recommended preventative action to address the increasing problem of alcoholism and drug addiction among women in addition to intensification of strategies to combat alcoholism and drug consumption among women (CEDAW/C/UKR/CO/8 (CEDAW, 2017) para. 38). Against concerns that mental illness and drug and alcohol use have increased, especially among young women, Concluding Observations have recommended increased resource allocation to address the deteriorating mental health situation, with particular focus on adopting preventive measures ((CEDAW/C/SWE/CO/8-9 (CEDAW, 2016)) para 36). This recommendation is in line with SDG 10 which seeks to reduce inequalities, given the higher numbers of young women affected. Recommendations by other treaty bodies have reinforced CEDAW’S concluding observations. The CRC through its Concluding Observations has faulted the weak enforcement of laws governing the production and sale of alcohol and drugs, and the reported drug and alcohol addiction among children and adolescents, particularly among those in street situations. (CRC/C/MWI/CO/3-5 (CRC, 2017)). This recommendation has a bearing on SDG 4 on inclusive education. The addictions among children and adolescents in street situations imply that they have been left behind by the educational system. The Committee has noted the lack of gender-sensitive programs, and human rights driven compliance of existing laws and interventions. It therefore expressed concerned over the lack of gender-sensitive, accessible and evidence-based drug treatment programmes for women who use drugs, as this approach is necessary to reduce the harmful effects of drug use on them. For women in detention, it noted the absence of harm reduction programmes. It therefore recommended a nationwide study to establish the number of women who use drugs, in order to inform strategic planning (CEDAW/C/GEO/CO/4-5 (CEDAW, 2014) para 30). Bilateral Cooperation SDG 17 Bilateral Cooperation was identified by the Committee as an Appropriate Interventions for women who use drugs, which also contributes to the spread of HIV/AIDS, in registering its concern about the absence of substitution therapy programmes, it recommended the development of these programmes, in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations for women drug users, as well as the intensification of strategies to combat HIV/AIDS. (CEDAW/C/RUS/CO/8 (CEDAW, 2015) para 35). The recommendation to collaborate with the WHO is consistent with SDG 17 on seeking global partnerships for sustainable development. Stereotypes, Stigma and Building Resilient Communities, SDG 11 Article 5 of the CEDAW Convention deals with stereotypes which includes stigmatization.  This Commission’s adoption of the resolution on Promoting non-stigmatizing Attitudes to ensure the Availability of, access to, and delivery of health, care, social services for drug users in March 2018 is commended. Therefore CESCR’s observation that drug users face barriers in accessing health-care services due to stigma and punitive approaches is apposite. CESCR decried aspects of the state party’s drug strategy, as having negative consequences on the health of drug users and discriminatory effects on specific disadvantaged and marginalized groups and individuals. It recommended that the State Party ensure the incorporation of a public-health approach, be harm-reduction-based, and take effective measures to facilitate access to appropriate health care, psychological support services and rehabilitation for drug users. Not only does this recommendation endorse CEDAW’s position on multiple and intersectional discrimination, it is also in line with SDG 11 on Sustainable cities – and in particular – Communities. The disadvantaged groups comprise ethnic communities, whose inclusivity the goal targets. (E/C.12/CAN/CO/6old (CESCR, 2016) para. 49). Similarly, CESCR has recommended that prevention and care strategies reach the women who are at greater risk due to their social environment or to drug addiction, illness or any other disadvantageous circumstance. (E/C.12/ESP/CO/5 (CESCR, 2012)). SDG 11 on building community resilience is directly relevant to Concluding Observations CEDAW has issued on women and drugs under its Article 14 which examines at the peculiar problems faced by women in rural areas, as well as disadvantaged groups of women. Under this article, the Committee has recommended that a State Party address poor working conditions and provide health and counselling support to women with drug addictions (CEDAW/C/LKA/CO/8 (CEDAW, 2017) para 41(c) ). CEDAW’s Article 5 also addresses violence against women. Within this context, there are appropriate recommendations from other treaty bodies. The HRC UPR asked that  the efforts be intensified in fighting the root causes of violence against women by paying special attention to addressing alcohol and drug abuse (Greece) (A/HRC/29/13 (UPR, 2015)). Sweden146.35. In its Concluding Observations, CESCR has been concerned at the link between high levels of gender-based violence and drug use in autonomous communities. E/C.12/ESP/CO/5 (CESCR, 2012) para.15, bringing together drug use, violence, and the communities envisaged in SDG 11. The exploitation of prostitution is the subject of the CEDAW Convention’s Article 6. Its COBs acknowledge the link between women, drugs and prostitution by recommending measures to prevent the exploitation of prostitution of women and girls, particularly migrant women and those involved in the drug trade. Regretting the lack of information and data on exit programmes, it has recommended rehabilitation services for women and girls in prostitution, especially those involved in the drug trade, and reportedly trafficked for sexual or economic exploitation. (CEDAW/C/MDV/CO/4-5 (CEDAW, 2015) para. 26 & 27). Children too, according to the CRC are used for illicit activities such as drug trafficking, and are subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation by non-State armed groups. In its view, measures taken to identify children at risk of being recruited, particularly on account of their socioeconomic status or the remoteness of where they live, are insufficient. Consequently, the CRC has asked that legal, administrative and institutional measures necessary to protect children from violence and economic exploitation by non-State armed groups be strengthened, taking into account the particular needs of girl victims when designing these measures. (CRC/C/OPAC/PER/CO/1 (CRC, 2016) paras. 21 &22). The passage by the Commission of the resolution on Protecting Children from the illicit Drug Challenge, also March 2018 is timely, and it is anticipated that its implementation will bolster protections available to children, especially the girl-child in line with SDG 5 Target 2. Detention Conditions, SDG 16. The condition of women in detention is addressed under CEDAW’s article 14, under disadvantaged groups of women. Access to Justice and equality before the law concerns under Articles 2 and 15 also arise within the context of women in detention. With the SDGs these issues fall under Peace, Justice and strong Institutions – SDG 16. Concerns about women in detention include the significant increase in the number of women and girls in prison large proportion of whom were been imprisoned for committing drug trafficking-related offences, particularly for having transported drugs as “mules” at the request of their partners. This is also a power and patriarchy issue concerning SDG5, as other research shows drug kingpins prefer women mules because their poverty levels are higher and that they accept lower payments. Prison conditions have also been marked for attention. The Committee’s recommendations have asked states to take action in respect of the precarious conditions and overcrowding of some detention facilities, difficulties faced by women prisoners in accessing justice, the lack of interpretation services for indigenous women, increasing reports of sexual violence in prisons, the lack of adequate health facilities and services for female inmates, in particular pregnant women (CEDAW/C/BRA/CO/7 (CEDAW, 2012)). Factors responsible include over-reliance on punitive approaches, lack of regard to both proportionality of sentences, and a gender-sensitive approach to the exercise of judicial discretion.  The Committee has therefore urged that measures be taken to reduce the number of women in conflict with the law through targeted prevention programmes addressing the causes of women’s criminality. This approach will involve SDGs 1, 4, 5 and 8. Secondly, it has called for the development of comprehensive gender-sensitive policies to address the situation of women and girls in detention, strategies and programmes aimed at facilitating their access to justice and ensuring compliance with their fair trial guarantees, especially for indigenous women and educational, rehabilitative and resettlement programmes for women and girls. Thirdly it has recommended that women’s detention facilities be improved in accordance with international standards (CEDAW/C/BRA/CO/7 (CEDAW, 2012) para.33). Data Deficit SDG 17 The CEDAW Committee has requested data, and recommended data collection for several aspects including pregnant women who use drugs, exit programmes, women drug users in society and in prisons who are in need of drug dependency treatment and who are living with HIV/AIDS, to determine the extent of the problem, with a view to developing appropriate drug dependency interventions CEDAW/C/KAZ/CO/3-4 (CEDAW, 2014). The data deficit is mentioned throughout the SDG document as key to establishing baselines and for decision-making. SDG Target 17.18 calls for high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts, in order to measure progress on sustainable development.

Chair: Moving on: Action points from Annex to General Assembly Resolution 72/305 on “Review of the implementation of General Assembly resolution 68/1 on the strengthening of the Economic and Social Council”

Secretary: I would like to call your attention to conference paper (link) on the implementation of General Assembly resolution 68/1 on the strengthening of the Economic and Social Council. As you know, CND is among the functional commissions of ECOSOC that cover a broad variety of subjects and based on that, developed different methods of work. Not all of these resolutions have been drafted with the Vienna based commissions in mind. As such, some elements are more relevant to CND than others – the information provided can be grouped into 3 categories: there are action points that lead to the coordination and oversight function of the council itself. It refers to the General Assembly resolution that suggests strengthening oversight, collaboration and enhance harmonization by ensuring division of labor and coordination of work programmes among subsidiary bodies. The outcome of the work of subsidiary bodies shall be more relevant, coherent and solution oriented in relation to the 2030 agenda – promote active involvement of major relevant stakeholders including civil society, private sector and relevant bodies: making sure technical and expert analysis is conducted producing expert policy recommendations to progress toward the SDGs. The second cluster of action points will lead more specifically to the organization of work of the council: strengthen organization of work by rearranging the so called integration segment and based on a new resolution, this segment now be laced before the high level political forum in sustainable development. The integrations segment is meant to bring together key messages from subsidiary teams and feed into the forum. It contains that the council should undertake a remake of its management segments during which reports and resolution are acted upon and elections are held. The third cluster of action points relates to the methods of work within subsidiary bodies themselves: to review their methods of work by adopting teams that are aligned with the main teams of the council, annual negotiated outcomes, conduct meetings in light with council meetings. This might apply to some other functional bodies more than the CND. A number of provisions reflect challenges faced by New York based bodies, but in general it provides opportunity to reflect on ways to further enhance our ways of work and contribution to the council. The next extended bureau could consider these points while bearing in mind the review of this resolution is expected for 2020.

Chair opens the floor for comments – I see no requests. Our next agenda item is the 62nd regular session of the commission. I recall the 60/1 resolution: the HLMS is open to all states that are members of the UN and interested stakeholders. It will be held on March 14th and 15th, 2019. We already agreed on the roundtables, and at the second intersessional meeting, we decided that the 62nd session shall be held March 18-22, 2019. The next reconvened session therefore will take place December 12 and 13, 2019. [no comments from the floor] It is so decided. The deadline for draft resolutions is, as per 55/1, four weeks prior to the commencement of the session, which in this case is February 14, at noon. The provisional agenda for the HLMS is still to be defined as it is subject to the outcome of negotiations of organizational arrangements. We decided on the provisional agenda and can endorse it for CND 62. I see no objection. It is decided. Thank you.
Now we continue with our consideration on the next agenda item: other business. I see no requests from the floor so we shall begin with agenda item 14. Under item 14, the Commission is expected to adopt the report on its reconvened sixty-first session. As is past practice, as chair, I will compile and finalize the report based on the discussions this morning.
I will now move to the draft of the 61st session that has been put together in preparation for the HLMS – relevant documents to be found online (link link2).  Before we proceed to adoption, I request delegations to abstain from the floor in regards to editorial modifications and ask them to provide them in writing.
I/2017/L.1/ad6: adopted
I/2017/L.1/add.5 (link to be added): adopted
add.15 (strategic&budgetary): adopted
The final report will be compiled, finalized by myself in line with previous practice. The commission should submit a draft to bring a report to the reconvened session.

As I see no more members wishing to make national statements, we have concluded the work program for this session. Thanks colleagues, permanent missions, capitals, entities of UN, thanks to the private sector, academia, civil society who took part in our discussions. Thanks to the secretariat and her team. As well as all the UN staff. Thank you. My mandate as chair of the 61st CND concludes. I would like to reflect on how uniquely enriching this experience has been. This is the session prior to the HLMS, so we had an important role to play. It was not an easy task and the complexity has increased as the commitments have broadened with the guidance of the UNGASS outcome document. It has been reaffirmed that the only way to combat the world drug problem is through cooperation and involvement of all actors, bearing in mind the different situations, the constantly evolving of patterns. The international community has a legal and policy framework that has the international charter of human rights at its core – in order to have an updated view on the grounds situation, I personally thank all the speakers, panelists for providing us with a broader picture [list of names] Thank you everyone for helping us to put people and their dignity in the center of our discussion. On Wednesday I have already said that the next leader will have to put forth enhanced efforts but we have built a good basis for this and we have to keep working together. Expectations of our societies are many, people are suffering and they need us. That is why we are here. They deserve effective responses. I will leave this chair in a few minutes, but on my national capacity, you can count on me!

Brazil on behalf of the GRULAC: Congratulations to you on your work last year. After months of discussions, it is an honor to express these word of gratitude. We were able to make significant progress towards consensus. Thanks to the bureau and secretariat.

Japan: As you have said, we have a very challenging year behind us. I wish to commend you on your able leadership and thank you for your work.

Austria on behalf of the EU: We thank you for your work and on a personal note, I thank you for welcoming me as a new member of the permanent representation of Austria to the UN in the middle of this challenging process.

Nigeria on behalf of the African group: Thank you for your stellar qualities and tremendous efforts in having the availability to lead a group of desperate persons with fairness and kindness.

China on behalf of the Asia Pacific group: Thank you. The drug problem is serious around the world and CND is facing unprecedented challenges and pressure. Your work has been very important.

Chair acknowledging John Brandolino and Angel Bette Hansen – moving on to election of the bureau for the 62nd session: As per the resolution 1999/30 of ECOSOC rule 15, we must now elect a new Chair, 3 vide chairs and a rapporteur. Rotating the offices on the basis of regional distribution the officers are to be nominated as follows:  : Chair: African States, First Vice-Chair: Asia-Pacific States, Second Vice-Chair: Eastern European States, Third Vice-Chair: Western European and other States, Rapporteur: Latin American and Caribbean States. Following consultations, the ambassador of Sudan is nominated to take the Chair for the next session. If there are no objections, I invite the commission elect to conclude the election of the rest of the officers. Before that however, the USA would like to take the floor?

USA: Thank you for your hard work. I would like to declare something in regard to the election proceedings: our legal provisions have implications to our participation in the next CND session.

Egypt: thank you, looking forward to the new chairman.

Algeria: thank you. I have taken the floor to warmly congratulate the ambassador Sudan and assure him of our full support.

South Africa: we welcome the opportunity afforded to the African group, it will be led by the ambassador of Sudan, who we congratulate and fully support.

Libya: congrats on your leadership and we support Sudan.

Tunisia: congrats to Sudan.

Morocco: thanks for your work and congrats to Sudan, we fully support the new chair.

Nigeria: You have already elected a new chair – goes to show your resilience. We welcome the new chair, full support for Sudan. We hope the new chair will enjoy a constructive support, we trust as a seasoned diplomat you will bring us together. We wish to underline our support for CND to progress towards 2019.

Namibia: congrats to Sudan, full support.

Angola: congrats to Sudan

Burkina Faso: support for Sudan.

China: congrats to Sudan. Glad to see the full support of the African group. He will have China’s support as well. Countries might not be on the same page on every issue but in this room, we have special responsibilities to address the world drug problem. Next CND has a lot to do with the HLMS, we call upon all MS to coop 4 ensure we have success

Colombia: thanks for your work, Madame Chair. Historic moment to define new multilateral undertakings.

Cuba: congrats on your work, we reject any stance that does not reflect the consensus within the regional group & necessary work. There are rules to the elections and I congratulate the new bureau.

Gambia: congrats to the Africa group and Sudan.

Turkey: full support

Peru: on behalf of g77 in the absence of Ecuador: recognition to your efforts and congrats on your work. Sincere congrats to Sudan.

Russia: we are aligned previous statements praising your work. We welcome Sudan however and hope to achieve a successful conclusion of the 62nd session.

Austria: congrats and welcome Sudan.

Outgoing Chairperson, Ambassador Buenrostro Massieu for applause

(applause)

New Chairperson, Ambassador Bakhet of Sudan
Thank you Ambassador. I would like to get into directly to the only left agenda that is the election of officials. In accordance to the rules, we shall now proceed with the election. Following consultations, we are on the view that following officers are nominated: ambassador kazuk of Iran for 1st vice chair, ambassador Sabatini of Italy for 3rd vice chair, [name] of Peru for Rapporteur. We still have not received the nomination for 2nd vice chair and would like the eastern European group to share some information whether they have nominated someone.

(EEG) We are still waiting for the response of the countries of the eastern European groups.

Chair: Please consult amongst yourselves and provide the secretariat with the nomination as soon as possible. Let’s elect these officers: (applause) elected.

USA: The election of Iran to 1st Vice Chair causes us to make this unusual step to comment. Iran is nominated as a state sponsor of terrorism since 2004. It is well known and documented. They provided 100million dollars to jihadists and other hostile groups, they support Syrian military action and nuclear activates. It is outright violations of a number of international obligations. Iran recognized drug crisis within their borders but allows it’s leaking outside. To hold the chairmanship is nothing short of appalling and members should demand principal led leadership and should not expect nothing less. CND members know we join the collective tradition to conduct business based on consensus, we believe this should continue. The USA will not participate in meetings chaired by Iran, other than on a technical level.

Iran: Congrats on your new chairmanship. In response to the USA’s statement, we draw your attention to the following points: this is not the first time the US government shows total disrespect to universally agree and well established working methods of international organizations or consensual decisions of regional groups, based on ill intended politically motivated statements. Most regrettably, the current US administration misses no opportunity to demonstrate unwillingness to respect international cooperation-based establishments and is misusing this opportunity for propaganda. The regime of the USA continues to be the top spoiler of peace and stability across the world, you can see a gallery of misuse of international mechanisms to put forward irrelevant matters today. The Islamic Republic of Iran is an active and important player in the fight against narcotic drugs, have played a significant role in the CND in the past decades. We firmly believe that CND, in order to safeguard its asset as credibility and trust among MS, should continue its work and functioning based on objectivity, professionalism and non-politicization therefore we ask you to have due reflection on this issue and put this issue in the report.

China: First of all, congrats again on your election. We are confident you will fulfil your task in a distinguished manner. While some countries might not be on the same page on every issue, we have to bear in mind that all CND members are here to talk about cooperation and bear in mind the expectation for finding common solutions and promote peace and stability around the world. As the rotating chair of the Asia Pacific group, we understand countries have their own concerns but we hope countries will not bring other issues here than drugs, so we can work in a productive manner.

Chair: [running over time = no translators] as of now, we can only continue in English

Russia: [Russian] I want to express our best wishes for you and to other members of the new bureau. We hope the new bureau will be constructive in the upcoming session and under your collective leadership we will be able to answer the most acute issues.

Syria: We express our congratulations and full support. I would like to deliver this statement in response to the USA’s statement in which she mentioned Syria while talking about Iran and in this regard we would like to state 2 facts: Iranian council on Syrian territories is under the request of the Syrian government. The presence of American troops is illegal and we consider it an occupation

Cuba: We welcome the new bureau and think we need to be united.

Chair: In section I of its resolution 1999/30, the Economic and Social Council decided that, with effect from 2000, the Commission should, at the end of each session, elect its bureau for the subsequent session and encourage it to play an active role in the preparations for both the regular and the intersessional meetings of the Commission, so as to enable the Commission to provide continuous and effective policy guidance. Pursuant to section I of Economic and Social Council resolution 1999/30 and rule 15 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions, the Commission is invited to open, at the end of its reconvened sixty-first session, on 7 December 2018, its sixty-second session for the sole purpose of electing the Chair, three Vice-Chairs and the Rapporteur for that session. In view of the established practice of rotating the offices on the basis of regional distribution, the officers to be elected by the Commission for its sixty-second session will be from the regional groups as follows: Chair: African States, First Vice-Chair: Asia-Pacific States, Second Vice-Chair: Eastern European States, Third Vice-Chair: Western European and other States, Rapporteur: Latin American and Caribbean States, In accordance with established practice and Economic and Social Council resolution, 1991/39, a group composed of the Chairs of the five regional groups, the Chair of the, Group of 77 and China and the representative of or observer for the State hold ing the Presidency of the European Union will assist the Chair in dealing with organizational matters. That group, together with the elected officers, will constitute the extended Bureau. To let you know, the ambassador of Nigeria will assist me. I very much count on your support in the busy and challenging times ahead. We will meet again in March! Thank you.