Ecuador
Ecuador is attending the CND with a feeling of concern regarding existing drug policy. Time has come to look around the social phenomenon of drugs, use and control. We are setting up a new vision on social, cultural and historical visions. Based on our constitution, drug use is a public health problem and users are no longer criminalised. We have not moved in this direction alone – UNASUR, CELAC and OAS are gradually respecting diversity and setting new parameters for drug policy. We have made great progress in our new path. The current vision centred on supply and demand reduction is not relevant any more. If we do not recognise poverty and inequality among Latin American peasants, we will continue to believe that law enforcement is the way out. We want to move away in Latin America. We must also move towards new drug control conventions within the framework of the UN. We want a new approach. The new conventions would focus on human rights supremacy and justice. We will move forward to set policies that are respective of cultural diversity. We have moved now towards regulation of possession. We are working on comprehensive support programmes for farmers in vulnerable regions through preventive alternative development. To conclude, we sustain with conviction that Ecuador has complied with the current conventions, but we sustain the need for change. The CND must set the basis for change towards the 2016 UNGASS.

Egypt
I express our commitment to the 3 international drug control treaties, in the light of the gravity of this phenomenon and threats to security. We have developed an integrated drug strategy to combat drug trafficking, including detection of suspects, precursors and chemical substance control, regional and international cooperation and agreement with a focus on prevention. The strategy strikes a balance between various processes. We set up a national council for prevention and treatment, chaired by the Ministry of Social Affairs. A special unit was created to reduce drug demand in conjunction with public and private stakeholders. We are also tracking latest developments, and we have detected new psychoactive substances. We have profound concern on the leniency from certain states to decriminalise or legalise certain drugs, which would undermine our efforts to counter drug abuse. We should strengthen our collective endeavours.

Korea
NPS are on the rise and escape international control. We are now making amendments at national level to control these drugs. These substances are addictive and we therefore need to designate them as drugs. These new drugs are spreading abroad. The government has developed a system to quickly deal with NPS. In 2013, we applied this to 59 substances.

Lebanon
Lebanon has suffered for a long time from the scourge of narcotic drugs, especially in countries that have young populations suffering from unemployment and social and economic difficulties. We have received help from international partners and used intelligence. We have therefore seized international drug traffickers. We have dismantled many drug trafficking networks on our territory. Eradication efforts are not sufficient in themselves, unless we offer substitute crops. We have also seized large quantities of drugs concealed by various means. Drug users should be treated rather than criminalised. Prison is no place to treat drug users. We have increased maritime controls to counter drug trafficking. We have also strengthened penalties for drug related offences. This requires special assistance from the international community.

Algeria
We focus on import, trade and consumption. The decree of 2007 grants licences for use of drugs for medical and scientific purposes. For chemical precursors,we have strengthened our controls. If we want to have an effective control, close cooperation is needed between all aspects of the system to implement the provisions of the 3 conventions and the political declaration and action plan.