Chair: The commission decided to include this standing item on the agenda focusing on Economic and Social Council. The commission has been contributing as appropriate to the council’s work. In the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, member states reiterated the efforts to achieve SDGs were complementary and mutually reinforcing. In September 2019, heads of states gathered in New York to review progress on the 2017 SDGs. It was the first UN summit on the SDGs. The SDG’s summit resulted in the adoption of the political declaration. World leaders called for delivering of action by 2030. The 2020 high-level political forum will meet under ECOSOC in UN HQ from 7-16 July 2020. The commission has been invited by President of ECOSOC to submit an input. the contribution will be finalised through the bureau. Under this item, the commission can consider how it can support the 2030 agenda of sustainable development and discuss how the work on the commission can be raised in New York to ensure that it follows up on the discussion. I Call on Secretariat to provide remarks on the involvement of the CND.

Secretariat of Governing Bodies: As you know, the CND has a number of brothers and sisters; other functional commissions of ECOSOC. One is based here (the CCPCJ). It also cooperates with others based in New York, the Commission on Science and Technology based in Geneva, etc. They all work closely with the mother body, the ECOSOC, one of the Charter bodies of the UN. When we speak about virtual cooperation between the functional commissions and the mother, one of the key areas is in the context of the contributions that the functional commissions are providing to the follow up to the 2030 Agenda on sustainable development. In particular in the context of the HLPF. CND was invited to provide a substantive contribution to the HLPF. That is in line with what happened in previous years. If you’re interested in looking at this contribution, they’re on the website, a sub-website of the two Vienna commissions. In addition to the specific contributions to the Agenda 2030, the functional commissions and ECOSOC are also in regular contact with each other. At the end of January, there was a meeting in which our Chair participated, with the ECOSOC. Issues such as working methods were further discussed. In NY, there’s an ongoing review on the work of ECOSOC, and that includes also elements such as working methods of the functional commissions. The delegates in NY, have a very good understanding and looking into these matters of the functional commissions in NY, with whom they’re working frequently; but it is implied to that they work with the commissions in Vienna. Your input related to the work of the commissions in Vienna is considered in that wider discussion. I referred to cooperation between the two commissions and ECOSOC, but also vertical between the CND, CCPCJ and the different other bodies. You might recall we had planned earlier in the week, the two chairs planned, a high level event contributing to the CSW within the context of the anniversary of Beijing + 25. That meeting was postponed by it will take place on the margins of the upcoming session of the CCPCJ.

Chief of Strategic Planning and Internal Affairs of UNODC: I will keep my remarks brief. As mentioned by the secretary, the UNODC contributes to the progress of the SGDs. To the support it provides to the functions of ECOSOC, the office has supported contributions made by the commissions in the past few years. UNODC also plays a role in the SDG key indicator framework, monitoring goals and targets of the 2030 agenda of sustainable developments. SDG is part of 15 key development indicators. […] Data is provided by member states. Monitoring progress on SDG goals is not a statisicall annex of the 2030 agenda but rather brings debate to the centre of development at national and international levels. UNODC has been engaged in the SDG process from the very beginning by collecting data and providing analyses and monitoring SDGs. With the aim of ensuring the UNODC portfolio is aligned with Member States and in efforts to attain SDGs the decision, planning and public affairs have worked closely with the coordination of the office to provide analysis tools that adequately capture all problems of the world drug problem. The strategic planning unit has also conduct trainings of select UNODC staff and Member States. […] in order to address the different aspects of the world drug problem. CND work is based on common and shared responsibility, with specialized agencies, regional organization, civil society and academies to actively contribute to making states more resilient and working against the ills of the world’s drug problem. […] Evidence-informed whole of society interventions that benefit frmo strong partnerships and cross sectoral responses will go a long way to ensure that progress on each of the goals is supported by progress of all the others. During this year’s high level political forum Member States will be reviewing all the sustainable development goals. This forum provides an opportunity for member states to present their efforts to combat the world drug problem within the 2030 agenda. […] UNODC, as the sole custodian of 15 SDG indicators we would encourage you [the Member States] to draw on our expertise and knowledge and support you as you prepare your reviews. 

Croatia on behalf of EU: It is recognised in the Ministerial Declaration, that efforts to achieve SDGs are complementary and mutually reinforcing. We encourage contributions of UN entities, financial institutions, and regional organisations to strengthen inter-agency cooperation and coherence at all levels with regard to drug situation. Commissions have been invited by ECOSOC to provide inputs on the high level political forum on SDGS. EU and Member States to consider contribution by the Chair of the CND to be a valuable input.

Jamaica: Believes that peace, health, dignity and security are core to the SDGs. The world drug problem presents a threat and barrier to leaving no one behind. In 2016, member states acknowledged the effort to SDGs is mutually reinforcing. Illicit trafficking causes suffering to the poorest and most vulnerable. Communities begin to be ravaged by crime which remains a threat to SDGs on peace and justice. As the use of substances exist, peace and health will remain an aspiration. We acknowledge CND is the principle body and the world drug problem requires a coherent approach. The world drug problem impacts women, children and the most disadvantaged. We ask the commission to approach with greater collaboration on women, social development and UNICEF. We encourage further collaboration with WHO about medicines, drug use disorders and mental health. Mandates and work on each of commissions and un agencies are interconnected and interdependent. We reiterate great collaboration amongst themselves in addressing the world drug problem.

Pakistan: The important input of the CND must be incorporated in the work of the General Assembly and ECOSOC. In The 2019 Ministerial Declaration, member states have reiterated the importance of accelerating the achievements of the DDGs and the links between the 2030 agenda and drug control. CND needs to render its important contribution to ECOSOC with a view to achieve the relevant SDGS. We underline the importance of commitments made in the 2009 Political Declaration and Action Plan, 2014 Ministerial Declaration and 2016 UNGASS. Pakistan supports a robust contribution to the HLPF in July 2020. Pakistan also supports increasing coherence and coordination between this commission and other subsidiary bodies of ECOSOC. We call on all to contribute to tackling the world drug problem.

United States: The issues under discussion at this Commission show the interconnectedness of many UN bodies’ work. The CND is not subservient to the SDGs. The 2019 Ministerial Declaration underscores the leading role of CND. The Treaties are the cornerstone of drug policies and our current single track. As the primary policymaking body of drugs, CND must find new and creative ways to involve other bodies, through panels, briefings and side events. Civil society, including scientific and medical community, have important knowledge, expertise. The private sector can play a valuable role for Member States to comply with their obligations. Which is why we submitted resolution on this. We encourage CND to continue enhance this involvement.