(a) Work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and policy directives;

(b) Role of the Commission as the governing body of the drug programme of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in the scope of control of substances

(i) Strengthening the drug programme of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

(ii) Administrative, budgetary and strategic management questions

(c) Staff composition of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and other related matters.

Aldo Lale-Demoz, UNODC: Allow me to complement and supplement information still available to you. We have no higher objective than to be transparent organization, with predictable funding. I can assure you, that the demands for UNODC technical assistance has never been higher than today. Last year we introduced after several years of absence yearly funding report. We are hoping to meet the annual 2016 and 2017 budget targets. We plan to deliver $500 of technical assistance. We have a $200 shortfall. Start with right to health. Drug use disorders are finally being recognized for what they are. They require public health Responses and not punishment. UNOGC and civil society are working together to deliver harm reduction services. Transmission of HIV and other blood borne diseases can be prevented with access to services. Need evidence based human rights and gender-based services to achieve what we need. Law enforcement should not be focused on minor drug crimes. We must focus resources on major drug crimes, including links to terrorist groups and transnational organized crime. We need to scale up alternative to conviction of punishment for drug offenses, such as found in Bangkok, Tokyo rules and nelson Mandela rules. Recently new fund have been available for Pakistan and Iran, but need further funding for Eastern Europe. We plan to expand operations in west Africa. Principle funding gaps are for Latin America. They already contribute much to the international drug operations and UNODC operations, so more funding is needed for them. Powerless situation in South East Asia where we severely lack funding. Allow me to express our full and continued commitment to further improve the relevance and consistency of our country, regional and international assistance.

Financial Management Resource Division, UNODC: UNODC tries to improve and become a global organization with sustainable funding. Respecting financial responsibilities stemming from donors from member states. Accountability and looking forward initiatives. Annual report and annual appeal. International public sector system of accounting centers rolled out in 2014. Risk management was announced last year. UNODC collects this initiative within UN secretariate. Central, fair, and predictable use of UNODC financial resources. Results-based management. Strengthen accountability of funds. With regard to 2014-2015 budget implementation, 230/240 million dollars. UNODC achieving the same level of delivery in 2015 as in 2014. General purpose funds have net loss of 2.4 million, as income received was only 2.5 million. UNODC results of 2015 still preliminary. Results finalized post May. Zero growth balanced budgets. The division of management and operation commence with an aim to have a first set of realistic indicators by 2015. UNODC’s delivery will be regularly reported to member states, and corrective actions as required. UNODC actively participating in global service delivery model. UNODC underwent strenuous ramp up activities. Immense efforts in extending staff and contracts. Daunting task that required the dedication and perseverance of staff in Vienna and field office. Successfully passed the ramp up hurdle, and now in six month wait period. Clear that UMOJA stabilization phase only overcome by staying the course with timely resolution of pressure points. Continue to tackle bottlenecks. Contract payments and management. Understand concerns raised by member states on temporary lack of reporting on contributions. We reassure you that there is no intention to curtail the richness of reporting on donors from the past. Aim to have meaningful project financial reports in three to four months. UNODC agreed to delay the issuance of financial statements for two months to allow proper time to close the books. UNODC is improving on many fronts. Organization continues to be relevant on every level. Continued decline on general purpose funds hinders ability of UNODC to operate. UNODC continues to make calls to member states to contribute to these funds.UMOJA has proven to be a challenge. Foresee a path to stabilization in the next six to eight months.

Brazil: At the outset we would like to thank the secretariat. UNODC expertise is invaluable asset to our government. We trust that the secretariat will continue to seek ways to improve its recruitment policies. We understand it is important that Members states have good dialogue with the agency to improve this. As a final note, and with reference to the Executive directors final note, we would like to thank the Executive Director UNODC for noting our continued support.

Sweden: UN system has to use a highly integrated approach. UNODC strategic plan needs to be completed in alignment with the SDGs. UNODC make full use of opportunities for collaboration with UN agencies and other international actors. Gender and equality must be addressed in all parts of UN work. Gender equality increasingly reflected in relevant agenda items. Progress is far too slow. For example, few women hold senior level positions. Call on UNODC to speed up its progress on this. UNODC can do its part to widen the donor base and be fully cost efficient in Vienna and in the field. Welcome the annual appeal meeting, as this is a concrete step in strengthening performance based planning and consistency in budgetary results. Still work to be done to implement results-based management. Evaluation needs to be implemented in all parts of the cycle. Important that international evaluation function is secured on an international basis, and given attention from the highest level in the UNODC. Full and successful implementation of UMOJA.

USA: During calendar year 2019, USA provided 45 million dollars to UNODC. UNODC and CND play important coordinating roles. That system is needed now more than ever. It is essential that their work remains with in the UN drug conventions and the convention on organised crime. We welcome UNODC’s continued focus on demand reduction programmes in Asia and Africa. UNODC programmes are a model for international coordinating and planning. Performance indicators are essential for improving programme effectiveness. We urge UNODC to continue to strengthen its evaluation efforts. We should authorize the independent evaluation unit to help evaluate UNODC. We support efforts to improve the management of UNODC and tracking of its finances. Remains essential that UNODC maintains full program recovery in a consistent manner. We encourage UNODC to incorporate cost saving efforts wherever possible, while ensuring appropriate allocation of funding. On the question of gender, we support the focus of the UN charter based on merit and competence; we do however encourage them to make selection that reflect diversity.

China: UNODC has played an irreplaceable role in implementing the international drug control conventions. Support leading role of CND in UNGASS preparatory process. Attach great importance to our cooperation with UNODC. Participated in various activities initiated by UNODC. Increased structural related contributions since 2013 to UNODC. In East-Asia, particularly in the Golden Triangle, consumption, production, and trafficking are on the increase. Propose that UNODC provide more support to East-Asia. Ensure regular budget funding of UNODC. Advocates improvement in budgetary management, geographical representation in staff, and gender balance. Firmly support UNODC leading role in international drug control. Implement actively the 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action. Work with international community to tackle the world drug problem.

Japan: UNODC an important strategic partner of countering drug problem, terrorism, corruption, and transnational organized crime. Deliver technical assistance. Japan supporting extension of provisional implementation of full cost recovery. Japan believes a thorough assessment of implementation is essential. Two key issues. First, evaluation of provisional implementation and its impact on program delivery and field office should be made. Solution sought and reflected before full implementation. Compelling case can be made for using the PSC to fund some general purpose costs. Japan expresses concern over application of FCL. Second observation refers to timing of FCR. Must be conducted well in advance of full implementation. Delaying discussion to latter half of 2015 is too late. Most desirable to begin discussions this year. Timely disclosure of crucial information necessary in this regard. UMOJA has in some instances negatively impacted work. Request UNODC to stabilize as soon as possible. Expect to see positive outcome from its use very soon. Benefit realization plan will be discussed in New York. Keep Vienna community informed and updated. Concerned with discontinuation of profit system, which was a critical tool to obtain up to date information. Appreciate delivery of new system for this without delay. Thank UNODC for formidable efforts to improve management delivery and transparency of their programs. Japan continues to contribute in a constructive manner.

Thailand: Support mandate of open ended working group to improve governance, accountability, and transparency. UNDOC’s active role in providing technical support has a direct impact on the ground. See continued work of UNODC, in particular in area of capacity building, information sharing, and resource mobilization, as very important. Sharing of best practices. For UNGASS, see need for further discussion on resource mobilization.

India: Active partner and financial contributor to UNODC. Contributing financially to UNODC projects in regional office of South Asia. Focus on priorities in that region. Also donor to Paris Pact initiative to combat Afghan opium trafficking. India in the advanced stages of setting up regional coordination centre for South Asia. The emergence of NPS requires regional cooperation to counter the drug trade, and computer based training to strengthen drug law enforcement capabilities. Support efforts for a culture of evaluation within UNODC. Refer with concern to UNODC’s recommendation to offer evidence-based and voluntary treatment, rehabilitation, and care as an alternative to treatment or punishment to individuals with drug-offences. This does not apply in Indian law. Not in agreement with this recommendation.

UNODC: UMOJA implementation difficult, but we are overcoming it. Will look into comment by Japan on cost recovery. Take on recommendation from India. Extend invitation to all program managers of your encouragement, confidence, and relevance of UNODC. As regards diversity, believe this is absolutely essential for efficiency. Working hard with human resources to realize diversity in gender and geography.