India: India acknowledges the challenges and affirms its commitment to fight the global drug menace. Our diversity and federal structure recognises that drug control requires a multi-agency coordination. India has a strong commitment to the guiding principles of the three drug control conventions, the ECOSOC and the General Assembly. We maintain a zero tolerance policy against illicit smuggling and trafficking, towards the goal of a drug free India. The government emphasises the need for coordinated action against the abuse of new psychoactive substances. The legitimate trade in illicit drugs and precursor chemicals has global significance. The essential narcotics for medical and palliative use. The darknet and cryptocurrency is of serious concern. The misuse of internet and blockchain technology and cross-border transactions is challenging. Requires international law enforcement cooperation, joint operations and border control. India is situated between regions with trafficking. We are eager to lead and strengthen information sharing on drug trafficking in South Asia and beyond. India has implemented concrete actions on demand reduction, and yielded positive results. The drug free India campaign is involving young people and women. The multi-faceted response involves health and care dimensions. It includes measures for people with drug use disorders, including health and social care services. The government facilitates pharmaceutical company registration, and a system for licit opium cultivators. We have achieved the destruction of over 1 million kg of drugs in the past year of opium crop cultivation. Holistic approaches, skills capacity building, awareness-raising and rehabilitation centres underscores our comprehensive strategies. We collaborate with UNODC and other agencies in countering the world drug problem.

Chile: We are committed to strengthening our national, regional and international commitments to curbing the world drug problem. The problems and challenges we face: the impacts faced are different from the past. Impacts on dignity, human rights, development and safety of peoples. Globally more than 290 million people use drugs, which is a 23% increase from the past decade. There has also been a 45% increase in people suffering drug use disorders. The opioid crisis, and use of illicit medications has also increased. There has been increased damage to the environment and risks to biodiversity posed by illicit drug production. The impacts on community and individual level creates fragility. We must also recognise the progress achieved, in mainstreaming a gender perspective where we are increasingly aware of the need to adopt approaches that pay attention to the girl child. Balance lies at the heart of this approach. We are in a position to understand the realities that we face and this is the greatest legacy we can leave behind. We are implementing ongoing care and support, providing rehabilitation, support mechanisms and support processes. We are providing ongoing care and attention, to support recovery, and comprehensive systems of care. Chile stands ready to set up a national committee to implement a plan of action. We underscore the need for well-balanced participation of civil society when implementing drug strategies. This will enrich our discussion on drug policies and create a mosaic of ideas. 

United Republic of Tanzania: Thank you Chair. Good evening. On behalf of Tanzania’s delegation I want to congratulate you as the Chair as well as other members. We assure you of our unwavering support and commitment. My delegation wants to show its appreciation for the preparation of this session. We look forward to a successful week. We align with the statements given by the G77 and China, and Africa. We have continued to carry out our drug control policies in response to emerging and evolving problems like drug trafficking. Tanzania assures the commission of our commitment to comply with the three international drug control conventions. Our strategic plan in addressing the drug problem is anchored in the 2015 drug control enforcement act which encompasses drug supply reduction, demand reduction, harm reduction, and the enhancement of cooperation at all levels. Tanzania has done the following: 1) We continue to take tactical measures to address the supply chain. Between June 2018 and December 2023 Tanzania has seized 1758.45 tons of cannabis, 202.7 tons of khat, 4825.95 kg of heroin, and 40.8 kg of cocaine that has entered the country. We have also managed to prevent importation of 300,000 kg of illicit drugs and 300,000 litres of precursors. In December 2023 the drug control enforcement authority seized 3182 kg of heroin and methamphetamine following a special operation. This was the biggest seizure in the history of the country 2) Drug control measures. Mass awareness campaigns targeting vulnerable groups and address the fight against drugs. Tanzania has also established anti-drug clubs at all education levels. 3) We are focusing on scaling up harm reduction and interventions for people with substance use disorders. We have scaled up psychoeducation, opioid assisted treatment, detox, needle exchanges, recovery homes, and rehabilitation programs. Tanzania offers drug dependence treatment to people with substance use disorders through treatment centres. 854,154 people with drug use conditions were treated. There are 16 OAT sites with 16,500 people with opioid use disorder attend services on a daily basis with 2 inside incarceration centres. We also have 52 recovery homes. 4) We will strengthen our regional and national cooperation on the principle of common and shared responsibility by supporting our friends at all levels to effectively tackle this scourge through good practices and sharing of experiences with other partners at all levels. Despite the implementation of our strategic plans, trafficking and drug abuse still exists. Inhalants and non-prescription medications are of particular concern. There are also concerns of new psychoactive substances as realized by the recent seizure. Tanzania underscores the importance of having a comprehensive integrated balanced policy which balances law enforcement and the promotion of public health education while employing interagency collaboration at all levels in addressing the world drug problem. We appreciate the UNODC for provisioning technical assistance and calls for enhanced cooperation in this regard. We express our support for the chair’s timely and innovative pledge for action initiative. We commit to continue empowering drug treatment centers and vocational training.

Dominican Republic: We congratulate the Chair of this session as well as the other members of the bureau. We have expressed our concern given the broad scope of the trafficking of drugs globally which effects our states to varying degrees. To effectively tackle this matter and meet social development goals we trust that the world drugs program will be able to meet its goals by carrying out tasks with a gender perspective. We believe that cultural, social and economic diversity among our states should lead to the design of updated policies which will enable our governments to strengthen their strategies to address the scourge of drugs. We recognize the international efforts that have been made to develop a global coordinated response to synthetic drugs. My delegation welcomed the invitation issued by the government of Colombia and Mexico last September to tackle these new challenges and we extend our support for the commitments adopted on that occasion. We are concerned with new threats growing through trafficking and opioids. These drugs cause irreversible harm to our societies and especially youth. Our government is aware that the trafficking of drugs is a transnational crime and the only way to tackle it is to harness our resolve regionally and internationally. We must cooperate to achieve results. Prevention is equally crucial when dealing with organized crime and drugs. We must educate people regarding the risks and consequences of drug use and provide them with alternatives and recreational activities. We must make prevention activities for schools and communities so young people can make good decisions and resist peer pressure. We must work together with law enforcement agencies to identify and dismantle organized crime networks engaging in trafficking. Prevention must be society wide including government, community organizations and individuals. From a human rights perspective the drugs problem is complex and must be handled while protecting the rights of all persons. We know there are new challenges in the context of the drugs problem. The 2023 world drugs report highlights links between drugs trafficking and other crimes which generate violence and other social instability impacting population and the environment. The drugs policy in the Dominican Republic centers on individuals’ health, and leads to the effective implementation of a legal framework that exists alongside our health approach. We prioritize key segments of the population in compliance with the 2024-2030 strategic plan. We have taken steps to strengthen our national drugs strategy in terms of prevention and control of substances in regards to the quality, treatment and social integration services. Our government recognizes and is grateful for the technical assistance provided by UNODC to the Dominican Republic through several programs. The Government is seriously committed to fighting organized crime and we are equally grateful for support and cooperation by other countries in order to carry out more drug seizures. Between 2020-2023 our counter drugs trafficking efforts seized 21 tons of micro trafficking drugs and last year 31 tons was the total number of seizures. We still have a great deal to do. Due to our geographic location we have become a bridge which has led to an increase of drugs in our country as a result of micro trafficking networks. We are committed to following the conventions. We cannot tackle this from solely a national perspective. We need international cooperation to develop a successful response. Therefore we await the support of friendly countries eager to support our response.

Zambia: Zambia is pleased to reiterate its unwavering support for the mission of the Commission, to assess progress made on the 2019 Ministerial Declaration. Zambia has launched a national policy on drugs and substance control, from 2023 – 2027. The policy is consistent and focussed on demand reduction, supply reduction, drugs and human rights and alternative livelihoods. It involves the private sector and civil society, working together to fight the drug scourge. Zambia has a comprehensive approach, including on juveniles, farmers, urban development funds to empower youth in communities. We have achieved the enactment of an Act to protect the rights of children, and the establishment of systems for national and regional cooperation, including memorandums of understanding. We have adopted strategies to fight illicit cultivation and illicit financial flows. Climate change is escalating risks, leading to destruction of food crops. The government has announced a national disaster, which impacts efforts in alternative development. Despite these challenges, my country remains committed, and to implementing policies and frameworks to address current and emerging drug problems.

Kenya: My delegation aligns itself with the statement of the G77 group delivered by China. The challenge of drug abuse, illicit cultivation continues to pose a threat to the health and well-being of people. Many have paid the ultimate price of losing their lives to drug-related crime and illness. The rise of synthetic drugs and use of new psychoactive substance pose new health and security issues, and threaten to reverse gains. We welcome this forum as it helps chart a way forward in countering the world drug problem. In an effort to strengthen strategies, member states have made important commitments: the 2009 plan of action, 2019 Ministerial Declaration and the 2016 Outcome Documents. Supply interventions should be vibrant and sufficiently able to counter trends in the supply of substances. Demand reduction interventions should cover prevention and ensure availability of controlled substances for medical and palliative care. We have a responsibility to ensure care for people using substances instead of simply reducing the consequences of use. Kenya has implemented balanced strategies and innovative technologies in law enforcement. Advancements in treatment for substance use and to prevent HIV/AIDS have been achieved but more is needed. The progress review is a call for us to take action. Kenya has adopted a two-pronged approach on both supply and demand reduction which align with the three drug control conventions. I affirm Kenya’s support for the conventions and stand against legalisation of substances for recreational use. My delegation is submitting 3 pledges: 1. scaling up prevention and integration of law enforcement initiatives, 2. (second pledge?)  and 3. reviewing national policy in 12 months.

Angola: Mr. Chair and dear colleagues. On behalf of my delegation, allow me to congratulate the Ambassador on his election to the position of Chair of the session as well as the other members of the commission and wish them success in this task for which we express our support. We congratulate you on your commitment to preparing and conducting the negotiations on the declaration which resulted in its adoption by consensus yesterday. We also welcome the CND secretariat for preparing this event. Angola aligns itself with the statements delivered by the African group and the G77 and China. We recognize the challenge the international community faces with drug-related issues and we consider this meeting an important forum for discussing opportunities and sharing opportunities in the fight against this phenomena. We believe that opportunities will emerge from this for reflection to accelerate our joint commitments to address drug use. We share the same vision with the international community in protecting the safety and the wellbeing of people through the implementation of anti drug policies and strengthening of dialogue with its partners. The drug issue is a multifaceted phenomenon. The challenge requires a multifaceted response with the engagement and commitment of all parties: government, international organisations, and civil society. Preventing and addressing the consequences and the challenges of drug use and all its complexity is essential and we need to make commitments within the scope of the SDGs. The 2019 ministerial declaration reaffirmed a global commitment to combat the drug problem and promote a society free from the abuse of substances in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and the drug conventions. In this context we have implemented programs aiming to mitigate the consequences of drug abuse. We want to reduce demand and supply and strengthen the control of trafficking. We also have treatment centres with a therapy approach that actively enables treatment, recovery, and reintegration into society which has been crucial in reducing stigma and discrimination against drug users. Taking into account our country’s geographical location we have carried out several drugs operations aimed to combat organized and cross border crime. We call for a coordinated and sustained response including the acceleration of the implementation of drug policies. We also call on the international community to remain engaged in the continued involvement of strategies based on the reality of each member state. We know that a joint vent to combat the consumption and trafficking of drugs will greatly affect the economy and social wellbeing of our communities. The fight against drugs trafficking must be one of the priorities of the international agenda if we are to achieve a better world free of drugs. Thank you.

Ireland: The harmful impact of illicit drugs on individuals, families, communities and wider society is one element of the wide ranging complex and multifaceted drug issue. Unfortunately, political debate and media coverage tends towards one dimensional analysis and simplification. Seldom is time given to delving into the complexities and nuances of drug use, examining the evidence, and hearing different perspectives. Over the last decade citizens assemblies have become an important part of the democratic process in Ireland and play a meaningful role in informing public debate on contentious issues. Based on the principles and mechanisms of deliberative democracy, the citizens assembly model gives voices to ordinary people and puts them at the heart of important issues facing society. In 2023 the Irish parliament established a citizens assembly of 100 members of the public including an independent chairperson to consider the changes the state could make to significantly reduce the harmful impact of illicit drugs on individuals, families, and society. Following an unparalleled examination of drug use and over 250 hours of discussion and consideration of over 130 diverse perspectives including the perspectives of people with lived experience and 800 written submissions the assembly reached 36 recommendations which provide a strong unequivocal message that the states need to take a more innovative and coherent response to drug use. Implementation of these recommendations will require a major step change in how the state responds to drug use that requires a whole of society, a whole economy, and a whole of government response. Responsibility for the implementation of these lies with the parliament and government. The pledge for action from Ireland is in relation to these recommendations of the citizens assembly. Acknowledging the decision of the Irish parliament to make the persons assembly and reduce the harms of drugs, those in the assembly act according to deliberative democracy and include the perspectives of everyone. The Irish government commits to carefully consider and respond with urgency to the recommendations, to form legislative policy to address drug use, and to indicate the time frame for implementing the recommendations which the assembly accepts.

Sudan: We align ourselves with the statement of the G77 group, China and the Africa group. Sudan stresses the crucial and key role of the UNODC as the key UN agency in charge of addressing the world drug problem. My delegation reaffirms the importance of sustainable and predictable funding for the UNODC to enable it to provide technical assistance and capacity building, especially countries in conflict and post-conflict situations. Sudan abides by the three drug control conventions and the Political Declaration of 2009, the Ministerial Statement of 2013, the UNGASS Outcome Document, and the 2019 Ministerial Declaration as the framework for addressing the world drug problem. We stress the importance of adopting a multidisciplinary, balanced and comprehensive approach. We stress the need to bolster approaches and the role of the UNODC in technology transfer, prevention, outreach, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration to be able to tackle this problem. My country has staggering challenges as universities and research centres have been destroyed as well as there being vandalism of state institutions. State infrastructure was not immune. This led to the spread of small arms and other weapons amongst drug traffickers. Rebels have released people from prisons including people indicted for drug offences. Destruction of public property has undermined functioning of the state. They have destroyed drug rehabilitation centres, creating opportunities for human traffickers to recruit young people from the Sahel to their ranks. We expect that this would lead to an increase in the demand for synthetic drugs and amphetamine-type stimulants. There are ongoing challenges in the production, manufacturing and distribution of drugs. Forms of organised crime, and many young people will fall victim to human trafficking by these organisations. Sudan is in a unique situation, requiring early intervention by the UNODC to help the country address these challenges. All state institutions in charge of drug control need support, sustainable technical assistance and mobilisation of resources by technical partners to address this unique and challenging situation.

United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI): The findings of our action-oriented research shows that the nexus of organised crime and terrorism is complex. It carries different characteristics in different countries. For example, amongst other factors, corruption has turned the Amazon into a hotspot for trafficking, which has turned the area into a site for natural resource exploitation. This offers a source of revenue for traffickers. They also benefit from tactics and skills by organised crime groups. The ties between terrorism and drug trafficking have evolved considerably over the past 15 – 20 years. The trends we observe are: the drug trade continues to provide a source of strategic financing to larger terrorist groups, the fact that these groups remain in drug trafficking affirm their continuing instability. Proceeds from drug trafficking provide a critical role in funding groups in the Sahel region including jihadist groups – with drug trafficking and petty crimes  being the most common sources of funding for terrorist organisations. The involvement in drug trafficking leads to high levels of incarceration and prisons are a site for incubating terrorist movements. Our research shows that groups carrying out terrorist activites had links with drug trafficking groups. UNICRI has launched research, and developed guidance and recommendations to assist with developing policies to tackle the nexus of terrorism and drug trafficking. UNICRI also developed a policy toolkit to support practictioners to implement good practices. The toolkit has been used in several activities since 2019, it has benefited law enforcement officers and civil society organisations. UNICRI has implemented a project in Eastern Africa, launched in Togo in 2023, that seeks to strengthen national frameworks to better understand and respond to the nexus between drug trafficking and terrorism. UNICRI stands ready to support member states to address this nexus, which greatly affects security and development.

African Union: Let me begin by congratulating H.E Ambassador Philbert Johnson, on his election as Chair of the 67th session of the CND.The continent of Africa continues to be a hub for illicit drug trafficking as criminal networks exploit the continent as a transit and redistribution center. The continent also continues to be a growing destination market, complemented by illicit cultivation, production and clandestine manufacture of synthetic drugs. Consequently, the region experienced increased consumption of drugs with the attendant effect of drug related disorders and comorbidities.Furthermore, a rising number of AU Member States are facing public health challenges as a result of the escalating availability and usage of psychoactive substances, particularly among youth, women, and children.The African Union continues to plays a pivotal role in formulating strategic continental policies and frameworks at the member state level, providing policy implementation and technical support. Nonetheless, it is imperative to emphasize the importance of a regional approach, given the diverse perspectives and stages of development among the 55 member countries in shaping their national drug strategies and legislative framework.1. In 2019, the African Union developed a comprehensive overarching framework to steer drug policy development across the continent – The African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control and CrimePrevention, 2019 to 2025.32. Through this action plan, the African Union remains committed to advocating for a multi-sectorial, balanced and integrated approach to drug control, cognizant of the intricate complexities surrounding drug-related issues within Member States.As a continent, our key achievements since the 2019 ministerial review includes:i. The establishment and strengthening of national drug useepidemiology sentinel surveillance systems in 33 African Union Member States.ii. Enhanced technical capacities for the implementation of drug demand reduction and epidemiology programmes.iii. Training of competent authorities to ensure the accessibility and availability of controlled drugs for medical and scientific purposes while preventing diversion.iv. Incorporation of Traditional and religious leaders in drug use prevention, treatment, and care initiatives to expand community interventions.v. Integration of gender and age-sensitive perspectives incontinental and national strategies, among others.With regards to drug supply reduction, the African Union continues to collaborate with international partners to establish regional organised crime observatories in Africa, alongside the development of programmes aimed at addressing the challenges posed by synthetic drugs.Excellencies,In line with the Common African Position, the African Union continues to advocate for evidence-based responses to mitigate the health and social 4harms related to drugs with a central focus on respect for human rights, including the rights of people who use drugs.As encapsulated in Africa’s blueprint for socio-economic transformation over the next 50 years “Agenda 2063” which espouses the Africa we want, the African Union is committed to prioritizing sustainable development efforts and reaffirms its steadfast resolve towards advancingcomprehensive and sustainable approaches to drug control and crime prevention. The African Union acknowledges the significant strides of the US-Led Global Coalition to address synthetic drugs threats.The African Union pledges to continue to take decisive measures to effectively address drug demand and the associated health issues with a steadfast focus on prioritizing drug use prevention, treatment, care, rehabilitation and reintegration strategies.We pledge to ensure the availability and accessibility of controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes while preventing their diversion.Furthermore, we pledge to tackle illicit drug supply by targeting the enablers of drug trafficking, including but not limited to corruption, money laundering, terrorism and the smuggling of firearms and light weapons.

The Colombo Plan Secretariat: First of all, allow me to congratulate you, Mr Chair, and your team, for your excellent guidance and facilitation of this year’s Session of the CND. Mr Chair, we reiterate Colombo Plan’s strong determination to support the UN Ministerial Declaration on “Strengthening of Actions at the National, Regional and International Levels to Accelerate the Implementation of the Joint Commitments to Address and Counter the World Drug Problem” with all Member States. We also encourage the global community’s effort to review the progress in implementing all international drug policy commitments in the Commission in 2029, and the midterm review during the Sixty Seventh Commission on Narcotic Drugs this year.The Colombo Plan appreciates the strong partnerships with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Civil Society Organizations and the twenty-eight (28) member countries which composes the Colombo Plan as an inter-governmental organization. Dealing with complex issues of drug abuse and crimes would be challenging without the active support of our member countries and various stakeholders in the Asia Pacific Region.With the support from the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Administration of the US State Department and contributions from member countries, the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Program or CPDAP has the distinction of being the flagship program of Colombo plan and is actively engaged in the recently convened Global Coalition on Synthetic Drugs.We provide technical support through evidenced-based capacity-building activities and projects to cover more than 80 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Gender-related and age-specific modules have also been developed to address a variety of demographic conditions which may require unique interventions. We keep expanding and upgrading our Universal Curricula to assure dynamic adoption of policy developments by the CND. More and more professionals received trainings by utilizing our Universal Curricula. These trainings were conducted in different modalities such as in-person, virtual and hybrid, in order to disseminate knowledge and skills to drug demand reduction professionals and practitioners at the national, regional, and global levels. In 2023, 2205 Drug Demand Reduction professionals and practitioners working in the field of prevention, treatment and recovery from 25 countries have benefited from all these training courses.Colombo Plan likewise organized a private-public sector partnership initiative meeting in Washington, D.C. to outline and underline the hidden factors driving the U.S. overdose epidemic, and also co-sponsored the DEA’s International Drug Enforcement Conference in Jamaica, thus reinforcing its commitment to addressing complex challenges in the field of supply reduction.In 2023, the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) Sentinel program, a project implemented by Colombo Plan provided novel early warning systems on emerging, lethal synthetic drugs and complex drug mixtures entering country’s drug supply to better understand the epidemic, prevent overdose, and protect the public health of communities worldwide. CP issued eight (8) relevant and timely health alerts last year, and with five (5) more coming out within the next month, to update the enforcement as well as the public health sector on new psychoactive substances.A highlight of our initiatives is the annual National Secretariats Meetings (NSM) on Drug Control that brings together our member countries’ drug agency representatives to exchange ideas and share efforts in the drug demand and supply reduction in the region.The Colombo Plan commits ourselves to align with any policy review and issuance made by the CND as it also allows us to intensify technical assistance and capacity building in the areas in which it is needed and by the Colombo Plan Member and Non-member States worldwide.I wish all of us more success concerning our mutual interests. Thank you for allowing our organization this opportunity to share our thoughts, Mr. Chair.

Bangladesh – Chair’s Summary of Roundtable 1 – ‘Taking stock: work undertaken since 2019’: I will present the Chair’s summary of the roundtable. In implementing the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, some countries reported progress including information-sharing. Some countries announced the establishment of early warning systems, the dismantling of drug trafficking operations by law enforcement, alternative development programmes, reduced incidence of HIV, and successful harm reduction programmes. A number of speakers identified gaps in the implementation of commitments, with some saying they could not address the challenges identified in the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, including in relation to indigenous people. Some also noted a shift in their drug policies towards decriminalisation or legalisation. Several speakers noted their adherence to the international drug control conventions were key to their drug control measures. Some noted concern with the legalisation of controlled substances (check). Some noted gaps in high incidence of drug-related deaths, and HIV and hepatitis related to drug use, stigma as a barrier to accessing treatment services, low accessibility to controlled substances for medical and palliative care, the use of new psychoactive substances, the prominence of criminal groups and increase in violence, the misuse of technology and communications, the the damage on the environment. Some reported gaps in reliable data, concern with human rights related to drug policies and referred to the use of the death penalty, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, and the use of degrading treatment. 

Some noted the effectiveness of prevention programmes particularly for young people. Some stressed the need for national funding. A number of speakers underscored need for a human rights approach with a gender perspective especially for those impacted by the world drug problem. A number of speakers underscored the important of partnership dn the involvement of relevant stakeholders including law enforcement, civil society, academia and the private sector in fulfilling the international commitments.

Slovenia Chair’s Summary of Roundtable 2 – ‘The way forward: the road to 2029’: Co-Chairs’ summary – Several speakers acknowledged the complexity and multifaceted nature of the WDP and discussed common and shared responsibility. Reducing supply and demand highlighted by speakers. Strengthened cooperation at national, regional and international level was considered a crucial piece of the work. Ensuring a continuum of care, prevention, treatment care recovery and rehabilitation, measures reducing consequences associated with drugs use. Reducing stigma. Prevention targeting children and youth as a key pillar of drug policy. Focus on preventive drug efforts, increasing drug resilience through education and skills. Low risk perception associated with drug use and concern re: increased consumption. Better intelligence sharing and coordination between lawe enforcement to address and counter monday laundering, trafficking, etc. Threat of synthetic drugs re: Global Coalition Synthetic Drug Threats and example of international cooperation. Development with engagement with police, education, health, social sector, diverse stakeholders society academia private sector and communities with lived experience. Importance of evaluating drug policy to assess effectiveness and improving interventions moving forward (…). Acknowledgment rapidly changing situation employed by different groups (…) Sustainable resource mobilsation to meet international drug policy commitments and ensure capacity building where needed. Commitment to the Conventions as the cornerstone of international drug control. Several noted drug related challenges have changed since the adoption of conventions. Conventions sufficiently flexible. Adhering to the provision of conventions and expressed concern about legalisation as undermining conventions. Drug policies that respect and promote human rights – need for proportionate responses, decriminalization, alternatives incarceration, harm reduction, treatment services voluntary humane and evidence based. Importance of social development, addressing inequalities, affected communities support, alternative development. Integrating gender perspective intro drug policies and tailored measures for specific marginalised group. LEading role of CND. And UNODC as supporter. Importance of cohesion, unity and strong political will.

Russia: In response to the accusations against us, we feel there is no point in repeating our position and given the late hour, we will send in a written statement to the Secretariat.