Post-UNGASS facilitator: We will now start discussion chapter 6, on common and shared responsibility. There are several panellists from UNODC, it makes perfect sense to have the different regional sections from UNODC present all one after the other, and then member states and then NGOS.

Yuri Fedotov, executive director of UNODC: very happy to be back at the CND, to report how the outcome document is coming to life and how it is enriching life at UNODC. All aspects are indispensable for the implementation of the outcome document and SDG agenda. Focus on most tangible expression of international coop, namely, UNODC technical assistance program, 73 percent is actually delivered in the field through regional and country programs. UNODC technical cooperation constitutes largest cost centre, accounting as it does for 83 percent of budget of UNODC. what happens in the field is very important for the implementation of the UNGASS process. Accounts of how the UNGASS outcome document is permeating through the UNODC portfolio. Linkages with other agencies, regional organisations, CSOs, and NGOs are also highlighted.

Alexander Schmitt, Chief of the Regional Section for Europe, West and Central Asia, UNODC: UNGASS process is the guiding framework followed in our daily work. Afghanistan 2016 launched in October persistent drive to combat drugs, rise in opium production increase in instability, radiates outwards. Security and stability of Afghanistan and its neighbours are interdependent, recognised by UNSC and Brussels conference on Afghanistan. Over the last 12 months UNODC completed review of 2013-2016 period, 300 mill US$, allocation of 38 mill US$, budget subject to continuous external evaluation. This integrated programming brings comparative advantages of each office in Europe and Asia. Expansion of our portfolio is response to the new alignments of our members and the SDGs. Consultations were taken prior and post  UNGASS. Under law enforcement pillar, UNODC continued to strengthen relation with key partners, Afghanistan-Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan (AKT) Initiative recently met in Almaty, review program and new targets set. UNODC set up new regional groups, these first hand on for a aim to support south-south and north-south cooperation. UNODC acts as formal coordinator in two regional agreements. Centralised depository of date to expand cooperation. Criminal justice cooperation – prioritisation allowed to implement consistent programs, also managed to set up network in the region, we also aim to recruit shortly Afghan, Iran, Kazakhstan, initiative gaining momentum. Human and social development – platform of exchange of good practices, innovative training strengthening family programs and law enforcement agency on vulnerable groups, same context. Finally, alternative development – bolster licit development, jointly organised conference in September, symposium with Iran aiming to set up licit business. Reiterate need for balanced approach.

Africa and Middle East Regional Office Chief, UNODC: we operate through 4 regional offices, 27 program officers covering entire region. UNODC cooperates with member states in Africa, 4 key regional programs, 2016 first year of implementation. 460 mill in programming, developed on the basis of independent evaluations, in particular SDG 16, and Africa interregional agenda, focus on human rights and mainstreaming of gender issues, also informed by  UNGASS process. Regional program, clear commitment to UNODC commitments and priorities of key partners including au and league of Arab states and Interpol.

On law enforcement coop: Africa and middle east affected as transit routes. Transit flows not only impact development also create spillover effect. West Africa coast initiative, implemented by UNODC and UNDPA, UN in Middle East and Sahel, DPKO and Interpol. Interception capacity and analysis towards dismantling criminal networks. Global container program: partnership with WTO, establishment of port control units. Aircop: operational units in Africa, Latin America and Caribbean to enforce, in partnership with Interpol and WCO. Project that selects and enhance capacity to counter organised crime along cocaine route, strengthen south-south cooperation. UNODC supported Gulf countries  to enhance interregional cooperation through the sharing of criminal information.

UNODC second area of work: promote information exchange, key to South-South cooperation. Network of West African Central Authorities and Prosecutors against Organized Crime (WACAP): criminal justice professionals to cooperate in combating organised crime. ARIMSA: promote echange of best practices to remove profit base of criminals. Indian Ocean Forum: enhance the sharing of intelligence to fight maritime crime.

Third key area: drug abuse prevention and HIV prevention and care. HIV prevention and care in sub-Saharan Africa, given continued high prevalence, continued support of opioid substitution therapy in countries inclduing Senegal, Egypt and Palestine. Support in Dakar centre.

Fourth example UNODC support to Nigeria master plan.

UNODC was named best international agency by African youth agency in recognition of our efforts in Africa. Before I end, despite positive impact more needs to be done in the following areas. Resources available tend to focus on the supply side, bigger contribution towards demand reduction are needed to realise goals. Many countries face consequences as transit countries, common and shared responsibility is a clear call by these countries to stem the flow of drugs.

East Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific Regional Office, UNODC:  two regional offices, four project offices, 4 country offices, 3 project offices. Presentation on alignment with regards to  UNGASS in the region, in line with outcome document, calling for integrated and balanced approach in the South East Asia region this approach also at sub-regional level. Mekong  organisation on drugs control provides effective coop platform, based on Member States in the region have immediately sought as of May to align work plans with Outcome Document recommendations. This is being done though sub regional action plan – addresses 5 thematic areas clearly reflected in od, engages senior level officials in the process, expected to be adopted at ministerial level. In region also engage with ASEAN meeting on drugs report traffic flows, give briefings for their policy options.

UNODC has partnered with the government of Myanmar to develop new drug control strategy, expected to be aligned with Outcome Document, UNODC and other partners such as UNAIDS, review of 1993 drug act, supported by Myanmar police force and drug control agency, minister of health participated as a spokesperson of Myanmar, General Brigadier: “Myanmar has been facing drug problem, focus mainly on supply reduction, only limited results, decided to develop a balanced approach, prevention, treatment and rehab, alterative development”

In Nepal: female project is working to address their problems, government being sensitised for a gender based approach, made efforts to bring government and civil society together in various dialogues in the dev of national strategies, within operational rec call to increase participation of civil society in treatment centres, pioneer in creating women’s drug user networks to create an active voice in dev of national strategy, UNODC is supporting review of drug control ac overseen by min of home affairs, government has promoted broadening the scope of the act to improve treatment with human rights focus.

Cross cutting issues, focused on NPS: through strengthening in south Asia, NPS specifically targeted, addressing many aspects of operational recommendations, ability to identify NPS, use of dark web, early warning and prevention systems – workshops allow to share and review forensic capacities, also encouraging to see initiative expanding in perspective of other agencies and private sector. Each of the national programs one pillar demand reduction, unfortunately always underfunded, needed to deploy more public health centres in response .

Tulio Santini, Latin American and Caribbean regional office, UNODC: coordinating 3 country offices, 1 regional office, 3 substantive country offices. Snapshot of types of activities of UNODC in implementing recommendations. First, drug demand reduction focus on promoting social skills in spirit recommendation number 1 from od. UNODC strong families programs – strengthening parental skills in 7 countries in central America. capacity building for teachers. Drug supply reduction (operational recommendation number 3) precursor control focus, support georeferenced mapping in precursor referencing in Peru, monitor chemical precursor in Mexico, coca crop survey in Bolivia, Colombia and Peru, poppy cultivation survey in Mexico. Container control program count on 18 countries in the region, Aircop 9 countries participating, a series of initiatives to identify money laundering, innovative partnership with private sector in Colombia, collaboration with GAFILAT for implementation of standards across the regions. With reference to operational recommendation number 7: support rural communities in sustainable production of licit products and alternative development and monitoring of illicit crops. Policy strategy and formulation, balanced approach, recall provision for support taking place in Mexico, reform of national drug program in Colombia text of agreement mention UNODC as a key international partner, finally provision of advice of drug related plans at municipal level in Colombia. Crimjust program, 9 countries in region, provision of support existing networks such as network of prosecutors in America refco and GAFILAT, activities aiming at promoting the sharing the information namely with prison management.

Cross cutting issues (operational recommendation number  4) provision of advice to several countries on women incarceration, provision of advice on the vulnerability of drug using women incarcerated in Bolivia, efforts to improve the suffering of children facing drug addiction in Colombia. UNGASS Outcome Document will continue to shape UNODC programmatic activity, UNODC in carrying out these programs continues to cooperate with key regional orgs and key civil society organisations in the implementation of 2030 SDG agenda.

Post-UNGASS facilitator: very important to hear from the regional offices what they are doing on the field.  Give the floor to member states, Slovakia speaking on behalf of the EU.

Slovakia, on behalf of the European Union: international cooperation is essential in addressing shared problems, integrated and balanced approach, respect for human rights and human dignity. Opinion of the EU to further certain dialogue and third countries on drug issues in a comprehensive and balanced manner. Another essential principle, common and shared responsibility, following these principle the EU implements a number of programs to put this principle into practice. Example of EU comprehensive program tackling both demand and supply reduction, allocated budget of 10 mil euros, aims at information exchange and cooperation between key actors responsible for drug policy in the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean. Transregional trafficking in west Africa are persistent activities in the region fuel instability, with long term consequences for local communities. Overall objective is to enhance the capacity cooperation by law enforcement to contribute to the fight of criminal networks and the exchange of best practices. Program has been carrying out activities fight against money laundering, improvement of info sharing and criminal investigation. Flagship is heroin route program, reinforcing international cooperation in tackling transnational criminal networks while ensuring respect of human rights, budget is 18.5 mil euros out of which 14.5 focused on drug trafficking.

Focus on central Asia region: support of implementation and evaluation of national drug policies based on EU standards. Focal points will be set up in the region with information sharing networks. Last, the EU provides neighbouring countries with technical assistance and monitoring capability, these are only a few responsibility of coop based on principle of common and shared responsibility. The EU is also major contributor to UNODC budget, the EU and its member states acknowledge work. Call for cooperation between Vienna institutions and other institutions

Colombia: thank UNODC and EU for sharing information, hope to receive information of the UNODC work with other agencies.

Russia: resolve to expand cooperation to tackle world drug problem under principle of common and shared responsibility. Concerned about information from UNODC coming from Afghanistan, poppy cultivation has increased, it is important we consolidate the Paris pact initiative one of the most effective mechanisms to tackle drug trafficking. The situation in Afghanistan represents the collusion between drug trafficking and terrorism, narcoterrosrism. Action program to implement initiative Russian federation to strengthen combat of terrorism, look forward to update of this project, mandate includes regional structures and adopt most modern techniques must harness appropriate strategies to tackle counterterrorism measures, the Tashkent declaration calls on member state to uphold their commitment to combat narcotrafficking and NPS. In context of BRICS, pursuing antidrug cooperation structure, intercontinental barrier to curb the expansion of drugs ate the international level, come up with an effective antidote. No single community cannot be complete if it does not include representatives of civil society, set up website whereby NGO partners are able to submit contributions to fight world drug problem, able to participate in shaping the Outcome Document.

Mexico: central element acknowledgement of common and shared responsibility in order to tackle world drug problem. Enshrined in outcome document and should guide our efforts to revise the current strategy in 2019. President Nieto: first global drugs problem requires international community to enshrine common and shared responsibility principle. More should be done to curb financial responsibility. More should be done in coop between governments. Third greater cooperation and coordination between UN agencies in order to take on board all aspect of the world problem. We are pleased  that the principle of common and shared responsibility is consolidated, no single country would be able to address the problems of the world drug problem on their own. Note commitment of all un agencies and international financial institutions in implementing national counternarcotic programs that are integrated and balances. Common and shared responsibility and a balanced approach key components, should also be further enriched by all elements of UNGASS Outcome Document.

Thomas Wheeler, Conflict and Security Advisor, Saferworld; Chiara Galletti International Alert: First of all we would like to thank the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) for the opportunity to engage with you directly. This a joint statement between International Alert and Saferworld, two peacebuilding NGOs that have programmes in over 30 countries across the world. The outcome document from the UN General Assembly’s Special Session makes an explicit reference to the Sustainable Development Goals which every government has signed up to. Peace has been made a cross-cutting priority in the SDGs. Goal 16 – which is about Peace, Justice, and better Institutions – sits at the centre of the SDG’s cross-cutting commitment to peace. If the SDGs are to be realized as a plan of action for the world, then the CND must consider how the steps it takes to operationalize the UNGASS Outcome Document contributes to the SDGs as a whole, including their commitment to peace.

The Outcome Document commits member states “to protecting the safety and assuring the security of individuals, societies and communities”. However, we are concerned that the drug policy approach to date has is not coherent with a long-term commitment to peace. Instead, the focus on short-term wins against those involved in the illicit trade – whether related to law enforcement initiatives or small scale community interventions – has sometimes had harmful unintended consequences, which have been recognized by UNODC and others. This incoherence must be addressed.

Research conducted by International Alert and Saferworld highlights several issues related to peace, justice and better institutions that we would urge the CND to be mindful of and seek to address. First, the illicit nature of the drugs trade and measures to combat it can fuel cycles of violent conflict and thus undermine peace: Drugs do not cause conflict: context-specific political, economic, social and historical factors are more important. Nonetheless, drugs can certainly make matters worse. The high profits associated with the illicit nature of their trade gifts armed actors – including security forces, para-militaries, rebel groups and criminal gangs – the resources to pursue violence. Drugs also create financial incentives to control territories or populations. While often predatory, in some cases these armed actors are seen as legitimate in the eyes of local communities. Militarized approaches to tackle the production or transit of drugs generates cycles of violence between armed actors, leaving room for human rights abuses, injustices, and furthering grievances against the state.

Second, the drugs trade is embedded into complex political, social and economic systems, meaning anti-drug initiatives can disproportionately harm the most marginalized in our societies and entrench injustice: Law enforcement measures and the justice system often fail to take action against the influential individuals behind the trade, who can afford to acquire protection, and instead enforcement concentrates disproportionally on the ‘small fish’, like small-scale farmers, dealers and users. In some contexts, illicit drugs provide livelihood opportunities and a measure of economic wellbeing for people who have little if no other alternative. Efforts to simply eradicate production and trade without providing viable alternatives put at risk the livelihoods, which may in turn fuel feelings of economic and social injustice. The production and trade of illicit drugs becomes inherent to the local, national and even regional political economy of all countries in the value chain. This means it also contributes to furthering the interests of those in positions of power and authority, potentially contributing to perceptions of political injustice.

Third, the drugs trade has a significant impact on the institutions of governance: Profits from the drugs trade foster corruption at central and local levels with distressing effects on the performance, transparency and accountability of government institutions. Moreover, through strengthening the hand of non-state armed groups, local populations become progressively alienated from local/national government and instead rely on non-state actors for the provision of security, justice and basic services. As we hope is clear, the illicit drugs trade and the world’s response to it impacts across Goal 16’s core objectives of Peace, Justice, and better Institutions.

How do we align the work of the CND and the SDGs’ commitment to peace? Notably, Goal 16 includes targets on combating organized crime. However, as our research has shown, too narrow an interpretation of these individual targets would only take us further down the path of short term and overly-securitized law enforcement approaches. Instead, we urge the CND to think bigger about how global drugs policy can be coherent with all of Goal 16’s targets.

We would make four recommendations:

First, short-term efforts to counter illicit drugs production, transit or consumption should never be taken without consideration of the longer-term impact on the factors that drive conflict in any given context. Greater collaboration and information sharing with UN agencies, government departments and civil society working on conflict and security issues would be a practical first step.

Second, people’s security and safety must always be prioritized. Overly-militarised responses to drug trafficking should be avoided to reduce cycles of violence and also to ensure that people do not come to see law enforcement or the state itself as the enemy. Rather, we must improve our justice systems to increase accountability and address the impunity of higher-level drug traffickers.

Third, in many cases, drug trafficking provides economic opportunities for some of the poorest people in the world. For this reason, it is imperative to generate alternative and voluntary livelihood in way that responds realistically to the political economies of each context.

Fourth, as illegal profits undermine our political systems, initiatives for greater transparency in political campaigning as well as zero tolerance for corruption should be promoted.

The points in this statement are supported by members of the Bond working group on drug policy and development, a coalition of UK based peacebuilding and development NGOs advocating for drug policy that contributes positively to peace and development and the achievement of the SDGs, of which International Alert and Saferworld are members.

Peru: We would like to thank the reps of regional sections for their presentations. the outcome document is a significant tool to reach the goals for 2019. We should actively commit  to combat drugs. investment in programmes must prove economic and social viability, and ensure work with the people on the ground to ensure they are represented, included and share their cultures. In the process of implementing our national drug strategy, we must rely on the principle of common and shared responsibility. Peru has clear examples of milestone achievements. Given the violence related to drug trafficking and terrorism, through cooperation it has been possible to restore trust in authorities by improving communication and by sharing agendas with the key affected populations. Finally, we wish to highlight the significant progress Peru yielded in eliminating illicit crops, by providing new opportunities geared to economic development to abandon illicit crops for licit crops.

Indonesia: world drug problem is our common and share responsibility, would like to highlight national police and narcotics board, exposing drug syndicates by sharing information, countering money laundering, law number 8 against money laundering, mechanism better equips law enforcement to fight drug trafficking by targeting money laundering, address cooperation efforts in response to the drug problems in the ASEAN countries, ASEAN region vulnerable to drug trafficking, in responding to new challenges, to conclude, it is true that no single country is able to address the threats of drug trafficking, should be conducted in balanced manner

Boro Goić, Recovered Users Network: First of all I would like to express my gratitude to VNGOC team for giving me the opportunity to present the work of Recovered Users network – RUN and our initiatives regarding implementation of the outcome document. RUN is an initiative established by the European platform EURAD, a registered non-for-profit organization from the Netherlands. We currently have 34 member organization and lots of individuals who support recovery. The mission of RUN is to be a network which provides a voice for recovered/recovering drug users to promote and share experience of recovery, on both the political and practical level. We aim to strengthen and expand our network so that we can enhance impact on drug policies, and advocate for balanced and recovery-oriented policies on International, European and national political forums.

RUN bring more voices from different countries and has more diverse individuals coming forward with similar messages as a common voice of a lot of people who advocate for more balanced drug policies. To that end, after UNGASS, our members and supporters have organized several conferences aiming to promote cooperation and exchange of information, good practices and lessons learned among national practitioners from different fields and at all levels to effectively implement an integrated and balanced approach to the world drug problem and its various aspects and consider additional measures to further facilitate meaningful discussion among those practitioners. We believe that only through evidence based, integrated, multidisciplinary and international work we can gain a stronger support to the idea of recovery. This also means that there is a need to engage with physicians, psychologists, social workers and many more professionals and national and NGO practitioners from different fields who work not only in the addiction field but in many different institutions like health centers, safe houses for women, employment services to be able to implement integrated and balanced approach. Another important point worth mentioning is that there is a need to establish more global recovered and recovering networks that exchange ideas and support groups to re-socialize and reintegrate members into their respective societies. In this sense we have been in contact with NGOs, therapeutic communities and networks, as well as public institutions to help them develop and acknowledge the importance of cooperation and networking on national and international levels. We participated and organized several side events during CND and UNGASS and exhibition during CND which also contributed to further development of cooperation and sheared responsibilities among international state and NGO actors.

We are pleased that RUN has been able to move the focus from drug users alone towards recovered users as well. This can be seen in recent policy papers at EU and UN that was never incorporated before and this is a huge step towards more balanced drug policies. After adoption of outcome document which clearly showed that recovery should have a place within balanced drug policies, RUN has reviewed the complete feedback that we received from recovery organizations during the preparation process for the UNGASS, including from researchers and governments that already have recovery as a goal in their strategies. This information can serve to other organizations to improve their policies and practices that would lead addicts to the ultimate goal of Recovery, and that is full integration of recovered addicts and long-term and sustained abstinence.

Furthermore, it is also very important to spread the information that even if the public sector might not be interested, the drug strategies within each country and now the UNGASS outcome document clearly state that the state and civil society should implement treatment, recovery and rehabilitation programs, hence there is a tool to advocate for increased cooperation and state can be held accountable if they are not cooperating on the principle of common and shared responsibility. To achieve the recovery and integration objectives of any drug policy, continuing financial and the necessary ancillary supports are required. Experience has shown that where the strategy is balanced not only on paper but also through financial support much better results are accomplished compared to the situation in states who are not balancing their policies on the grassroots level. Any approaches or treatment programs are financially driven with strong commitment to achieve whatever goals and objectives i.e. recovery.

In order for recovery to be effective and successful, it must have all other necessary supports. These are: moral, cultural, family, friends, communities, and support groups etc. But most of all culture and ecology of recovery should be changed. It presupposes also that the motivation and self-motivation is precondition for any individual’s recovery. Returning to a regular life and living drug-free after treatment for drug-related issues tends to be even more complicated than treatment process. Treatments programs must aim to assist former addicts during this difficult transition period, but even though these programs are recommended in Drug strategies, those needs are ignored, and underfunded, resulting in a failed recovery and an enormous waste of human resources and money.

Croatian Government has been implementing reintegration programs for almost 10 years, and due to our previous cooperation, we were invited to moderate one workshop and present RUN at their conference which was held this October.  The evaluation of reintegration programs has shown that these programs are crucial for long-term and sustained recovery, as many recovering addicts have found employment and have completed various education programs and/or secondary school.

RUN through our international engagement gives great importance to networking between governmental and NGO sector as well as effective engagement of recovering addicts in implementation of the UNGASS outcome document. Therefore, we have been involved in several projects aiming to exchange information, good practices and lessons learned among experts from the field.

One of the lessons learned, very important good practice, and at the same time the one we are advocating for when it comes to implementation of the outcome document, is the UK Drug Strategy. The strategy was adopted back in 2010 and recommends that all services should be recovery oriented systems of care, which is the approach that has proven to be the most beneficial to target group which RUN represents, and those are recovering and recovered users. In this concept, Recovery is a process through which an individual is enabled to move from their problem drug use towards a life without drugs as an active and contributing member of society. The main feature of this concept is that the focus shifts from the problem of addiction to the individual and his life, who has its own needs, aspirations and so on. If we perceive recovery like this, than instead of focusing primarily on reducing the harms caused by drug misuse, our approach must be to go much further and offer every support for people to choose recovery as an achievable way of dependency, to live a drug free life and achieve long-term and sustained abstinence.

Governments must respect, protect, and fulfill human rights of each person to reach their full potential. We are not talking just about evidence based approach but expect those individuals to be treated humanely. If we envisage the possibility of someone around us, a close friend or a member of our family, developing drug dependence or addiction, we would do anything to help that person to reach his or her full potential, and I am sure that, even though it could be a severe addiction, long-term and sustainable abstinence can be achieved.

USA: in 2015 alone, USA provided 29 million to UNODC activities. at the same time international community should encourage implementation of UNGASS Outcome Document, with focus on increased cooperation between un agencies including UNODC, UNDP. UN agencies should not wait for guidance form UNGA, but should act on the basis of the Outcome Document. UNODC and the CND should serve as a coordinating body for drug policies undertaken throughout the un system. Necessary to develop an action plan to increasing evidence based of UNODC and CND. Support programs aimed at regional cooperation, the USA also provides funding for programs that promote information sharing in precursors, USA will provide additional background for inclusion in the UNODC website.

China: thank all experts for presentations, drug issue is a global problem, China supports common shared responsibility principle, support CND, UNODC, and INCB in line with their mandates. The CND as an international drug policy body and the UNODC as the leading agency in fighting the drug problem should be enhanced. INCB should strengthen cooperation with other organisations. China earnestly fulfils its commitments. China values the CND’s core position in policymaking. In order to support UNODCs regional projects, China contribution to UNODC has reached 1 mill per year. Should strengthen multi an bilateral drug control cooperation. With other ASEAN countries, greater Mekong organisation, key to combat drug crimes. With USA, and Australia mechanism to exchange intelligence. Since 2002 china has trained over 1000 law enforcement personnel in ASEO countries

Portugal:  no state can abstain from acting and no state can act alone, decisive and proportional action must be complemented with cooperation. Seacop – Portuguese criminal police and orgs from Spain, France and UK, purpose is to support countries in fighting cocaine trafficking by sea. Aircop – Portuguese experts have been providing training to officials in Africa, Latin America, and Caribbean, developed in partnership with UNODC. Portuguese unit specialised to combat drug trafficking participates several programs. Actively participating in Copolat as explained by Slovakia on behalf of the EU. Portugal also played Important role in national observatory part of Copolat. Along years develop close ties with other Portuguese speaking countries in demand and supply reduction programs. To conclude, Portugal believes in humane and proportionate drug policies, open to listening to other drug policies and to share. A large number of delegations have visited Portugal, including Ukraine, France, Japan, the Philippines and many others. The exchange of views at these intersessional meetings has also promoted understanding of the world drug problem.

Ann Fordham, IDPC: IDPC is a global network that promotes drug policies that are based on human rights, human security, social inclusion and public health. At present IDPC has 163 members from all over the world and over 60% of our membership is based outside of Western Europe and North America. On behalf of our members, we engaged closely throughout the UNGASS preparations, including as part of the civil society task force.

IDPC welcomes the much improved broader seven-theme structure of the UNGASS outcome document, and we urge member states to maintain this structure as the basis for future documents and debates. In addition, the outcome document represents the latest agreed language on many key aspects of drug policy, in particular for health, human rights and development, and this progress should be acknowledged and built upon in the lead up to 2019.

To address some of the specific points made under chapter 6 of the UNGASS outcome document, I will focus my intervention firstly on the significance of ensuring greater UN system-wide coherence in drug control, and secondly on the importance of addressing the linkages between drug control policies and the Sustainable Development Goals, towards ensuring their achievement. In fact, the two priorities of system-wide coherence on drugs and achievement of the SDGs are intrinsically linked and mutually reinforcing.

UN system-wide coherence: The preamble of the outcome document welcomes efforts towards enhanced coherence within the UN system at all levels and this is echoed throughout the document. In chapter 6, enhanced cooperation between all relevant UN entities and international and regional organisations is deemed necessary to assist member states in addressing the ‘health, socioeconomic, human rights, justice and law enforcement aspects’ of drug policies and programmes.

The proactive and visible engagement from the broader UN family in the UNGASS preparations and debates is therefore to be welcomed, and the CND should continue to facilitate and encourage this momentum. UN agencies such as the WHO, UNAIDS, UNDP and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights all have mandates that are directly impacted by drug policies, and their continued attention to this issue, and collaboration with each other and with UNODC, will serve to ensure greater policy coherence at the UN level. The visibility and engagement of all relevant UN entities will be critical for a considered and honest evaluation of global drug policies in the lead up to 2019.

SDGs and drug policy: Strongly related to encouraging enhanced system-wide coherence, is the need to ensure coherence between drug policy targets and objectives and the SDGs, which are highlighted in several places in the outcome document, including chapter 6. The adoption of the SDGs just prior to the UNGASS was positive and has been essential to incorporating development issues more firmly within the drug control debate. This process has also raised a number of questions – in particular consideration of how drug control priorities help or harm development outcomes.

In striving to achieve the SDGs, it becomes crucial to consider the underlying socio-economic causes of why people engage in the illicit drug trade and examine how certain responses fuel social marginalization and economic deprivation or increase insecurity. A clear example relates to subsistence farmers who engage in illicit cultivation; in the absence of alternative livelihoods, forced eradication efforts deprive them of their only available means to live a life in dignity by driving them deeper into poverty. Another example is the use of criminalisation and punishment for people who use drugs, a practice which drives them away from seeking health services, ultimately undermining their health and wellbeing. Finally, mass incarceration, militarised responses and the use of extra-judicial killings have taken place in efforts to eradicate the illicit drug trade, but while failing to achieve a reduction in the scale of the illicit drug market, these responses have served to destabilise communities and undermine peace and security. The impact of drug control policies on achievement of the SDGs should not be underestimated and this intersect requires careful and thoughtful examination.

Finally, in reviewing this intersect, it would seem timely for member states to consider developing a set of new targets and indicators for measuring the effectiveness of drug policies and programmes that are in line with the latest global political commitments. Monitoring progress towards those new targets using additional indicators may also require a revision of the Annual Reports Questionnaire or ARQs currently in use.

In closing, IDPC supports the request to the Secretary General in the draft omnibus resolution, currently being negotiated in New York, to further strengthen cooperation between all relevant entities of the UN system towards enhancing system-wide coherence.

We appreciate that the CND structured this initial round of debates on the UNGASS follow-up and implementation according to the seven thematic areas of the outcome document, and we are supportive of the suggestion made in the draft omnibus resolution, to carry this work forward in seven working groups that could further operationalise effective implementation of the UNGASS outcome and make recommendations for how to proceed beyond 2019. Thank you for your consideration and your continued commitment to the meaningful participation of civil society.

Venezuela: very important to highlight prior to adoption of Outcome Document our country stood up as one of the only proponents of common and shared responsibility, basis to many of our positions on this area. World drug problem is to be addressed in a multilateral environment. This in turn requires multidisciplinary, science based approach with mutually reinforcing measures, this is enshrined in our role in the UNASUR wherein we have made significant progress in negotiating the new plan of action, countries identify new challenges to strengthening South-South cooperation.

Norway: express gratitude to all staff and contractors working on the field for their work for UNODC. Norway believes in strong coordinated effort, UNODC is in a key position to coordinate programs. Opium cultivated in Afghanistan ends up on the streets in Norway, Norway has one of the highest numbers of in Europe. World drug problem remains a common and shared responsibility that should be addressed through international cooperation. Norway one of the largest contributors to UNODC. Drugs continue to be a major threat to health and security. Collective efforts to address world drug problem should be linked to SDGs, especially goal 1, goal 3, and goal 5,need to cooperate with other UN agencies including UN Women.

Kenya: Kenya recognises that world drug problem is a common and shared responsibility, need to strengthen international coop in response to world drug problem. Sub-regional program signed by over 13 countries caused significant cooperation. Kenya calls for international coop, in North-South, South-South, and triangular cooperation. Kenya particularly concerned with Afghan opiates through Indian ocean, so called Indian route, recognise success of foreign naval forces which have intercepted afghan opiates and amphetamine type stimulants. Encourage bilateral, multilateral community to strengthen technical assistance so as to effectively combat drug trafficking including emerging trends. Encourage UNODC to continue cooperation with other entities in developing effective drug control policies. I just wanted to ask a question to the panellists, just for information on Crimjust program.

Post-UNGASS facilitator:  we are over the limit, I don’t know if it is possible to answer the question. Executive Director, could you give final comments, maybe you can answer question.

Yuri Fedotov, executive director of UNODC: we remain at disposal of member states to make all types of briefings at all levels and about UNODC cooperation with every organisation, can do briefings about work with youth, in women, in private sector, and in the context of the SDGs. Question on crimjust, to do it justice I will address separately. Thank all donors and emerging donors, not to forget recipient countries.