VNGOC Chair. I am very excited about this dialogue, there are several high-quality questions. Before we start, I will give the floor to Jo from the Secretariat.
Jo Dedeyne, CND Secretariat. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for organising this dialogue. As the secretariat we support as best we can. We are pleased to see 198 NGOs are participating in this CND. This is a high number. It’s of course a broad spectrum of different focuses, and it helps us to bring a lively discussion, where different schools of thought are brought together. There are also many side events organised by NGOs. Thanks for the excellent cooperation, and I hope that this is interesting and fruitful for all of you joining us here in Vienna.
VNGOC Chair. Thank you Ambassador for being with us this morning. We will now proceed with questions. We will take two questions as a package.
Question 1: Before this CND session we were informed that due to the financial limitations thematic intersessionals may not happen this year. Is there any update in this regard that you could share with us?
Submitted by: Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights
CND Chair. I thank you for organising this dialogue. As a general note, I want to start by saying how the CND values NGO engagement. I hope we will have the opportunity to go into detail on how we collaborate with NGOs in this discussion. At this time, we don’t have updates on the intersessionals. A budget was prepared in late 2025, and the CND Secretariat asked Member States to make funds available, but for now no funds have been secured and the situation remains the same as in the past weeks. We value these thematic discussions and will try to do our best to try and secure the funds. If no funds are secured soon, we won’t be able to hold the thematic discussions this year.
Question 2: How does the Chair intend to ensure that the voices of civil society and affected communities continue to be meaningfully integrated into the follow-up of the 2024 Midterm
Submitted by: Ágora; Slum Child Foundation
CND Chair. The CND has consistently recognised the valuable contribution of civil society. The 2024 Declaration reaffirmed the role of all stakeholders, including civil society. We ensure our policies are grounded in realities. The CND’s work is focused on operative and policy parts. The work of civil society is important for both, it adds value to society. In this regard, my intention is to remain active on this issue. This means safeguarding civil society participation in the CND’s work, ensuring inclusive debates. I will also ensure dialogue between States and civil society, including during side events. We have 172 side events and 22 exhibitions this year. In thematic discussions, we also give space to civil society. It is important that the discussions remain constructive and action-oriented.
Question 3: For its Tenth anniversary, what are your initiatives to celebrate, and review the implementation of, the 2016 UNGASS outcome document?
Submitted by: ENCOD
CND Chair. All these celebrations are important opportunities for reflection and to renew commitments. The anniversary of the UNGASS is no exception. The Outcome Document remains a comprehensive and operational framework. This should serve as a reminder of commitments made, and that the international community remains united, and that we must respect human rights.
Question 4: Crime and drug use among young people are closely linked and particularly acute in low-resource settings. What is the Chair planning to increase coordination between the CND, CCPCJ, UNTOC COP, and UNCAC COSP?
Submitted by: Uganda Youth Development Link
CND Chair. Cooperation between different UN agencies remains of particular importance. From time to time, their agendas remain close together. This is true about interlinkages between drug use, crime and vulnerabilities faced by young people. Addressing these challenges requires improved coherence. For example, the CCPCJ and CND are two governing bodies of UNODC and are serviced by the same secretariat, ensuring strong collaboration. I also see value in relevant resolutions. When it comes to youth specifically, UN agencies often converge in discussions, projects and coordination. We need to ensure policy coherence and avoid duplication.
Question 5: How can the Commission on Narcotic Drugs further strengthen meaningful and sustained engagement of civil society organizations in the implementation and follow-up of CND resolutions at the national and regional levels?
The Jordan Anti Drugs Society, Youth Anti-Narcotics public union
CND Chair. First I recognise the important role of civil society in the work of the CND. It’s recognised through resolutions and initiatives implemented by the CND. The CND has taken concrete steps, each year having NGOs participate in the session, side events and thematic discussions. We announced 198 NGOs registered this year. Through the VNGOC, CSOs have an informal platform to share inputs, contribute to policy and discussions. My advice is to maximise strategic actions and programmes on the ground, to make their positions heard.
Question 6: From the CND’s perspective, how can the contribution of NGOs—which often work directly in contexts of high vulnerability—be strengthened while addressing existing tensions with States, especially when it comes to approaches based on human rights and local realities?
Submitted by: Grupo de Mujeres de la Argentina Foro de VIH Mujeres y Familia ; KATHAK ACADEMY
CND Chair. We will remain as constructive a platform as possible, focusing on outcomes for individuals and communities. I hope this year we can secure enough funds to ensure thematic intersessional discussions. We remain committed to ensuring constructive dialogue. We must ensure that policies are grounded in human rights and dignity.
Question 7: How does the Chair plan to engage with youth, particularly youth-led organizations with ECOSOC status? Are there any plans to promote dialogue and collaborations between these organizations and the UNODC Youth Forum?
Submitted by: Youth RISE; Slum Child Foundation
CND Chair. I have already had a chance to elaborate on this issue. The voice of youth is particularly important at CND, to ensure effective drug policies. We give them opportunities to express themselves. Yesterday there was a presentation by a youth representative also. I myself attach importance to young people. Several CND resolutions encourage member states to integrate youth in national drug policies. We provide platforms like the Youth Forum to ensure opportunities for youth to present their views, and to promote drug prevention in schools.
Question 8: Thank you for your leadership in supporting the work of the independent panel of experts. As this process moves forward, how do you intend to ensure that meaningful, inclusive and transparent consultations with civil society and young people will take place throughout the review process? Additionally, what are your expectations regarding the timeline for the delivery of the panel’s recommendations, and how will the CND, Member States and other stakeholders implement these recommendations?
Submitted by: International Drug Policy Consortium ; Fundación Latinoamérica Reforma
CND Chair. The elections of the panel members was one highlight of this CND. The panel’s recommendations are expected to feed into the 2029 review of the CND, and recommendations will be presented at next year’s CND session. After the composition is completed, we will select a co-chair today. Once the panel is composed, it will start its work. The CND is a forum for discussion, including on the recommendations of the panel. The CND will need to receive and consider recommendations before thinking of implementation. On CSO participation, the panel will conduct consultations with states, other stakeholders, including civil society, youth academia, the private sector and other actors. The panel is composed of independent experts, so it will be up to the co-chairs to decide how to conduct their work.
Question 9: What measures is the CND considering to ensure greater coherence and continuity across its resolutions so that all pillars, prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and proportionate law enforcement; are recognized as equally important?
Submitted by: ARTM Macau; Proyecto Hombre
CND Chair. The CND has long recognised the WDP as multifaceted and complex, it requires coordinated actions. Many resolutions articulate this comprehensive, balanced and evidence-based approach. Ensuring greater coherence can be supported through clear cross-references between resolutions, continued efforts to avoid fragmentation or duplication of efforts. We must ensure that funding is secure to translate resolutions into concrete actions.
Question 10: Several CND resolutions call for mainstreaming gender and age perspectives as well as full and equal participation and involvement of women in design and implementation of drug-related policies and programs, as well as recovery and support services. But according to the World Drug Report 2025, the situation of women who use drugs has hardly improved. What can the CND do more to promote the full, equal, meaningful and effective participation of women?
Submitted by: ZONTA International
CND Chair. Ensuring a gender perspective has been included in many CND resolutions, including 59/5. Moreover, 15 people out of 25 panellists participating in the CND thematic discussions were women. It is important to engage women in national level design and implementation of drug policies, and include the issues faced by women in accessing treatment and other services. We must ensure political will in this regard.
Question 11: In light of reports highlighting a decline in international funding for harm reduction programs (HIV/Hepatitis C, etc.), how does the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) intend to encourage renewed political commitment to ensure that treatment services remain accessible to the most vulnerable populations?”
Submitted by: Save the Climate
CND Chair. We are aware of reduced international funding, especially for HIV and hepatitis C, especially for vulnerable people. Ensuring the continuity of access to services aligns with drug policy frameworks, and we will continue to encourage continued funding for such important programmes. The CND plays an important normative and convening role in this regard. The CND will continue to engage with WHO, UNODC and other UN entities to promote coherence for sustained investment for HIV and hepatitis C services for PWUD.
Question 12: How does the Commission on Narcotic Drugs address evolving national substance regulations incl. for example cannabis regulation within its mandate to promote implementation of the international drug control conventions?
Submitted by : Oesterrichischer Verein von Drogen Fachleuten; Drug Policy Centre, NPC
CND Chair. The CND operates within the framework of the International drug control treaties, as well as other international human rights instruments. In 2020, cannabis was removed from schedule 4 of the 1961 Convention, this testifies the CND’s ability to reflect the latest state of the evidence, recognising the medical value of cannabis while maintaining international control. We explore the complexity of regulation and acknowledge the diversity of policy approaches. We will continue monitoring new developments. We remain committed to facilitate discussions with Member States and civil society in this regard.
Question 13: What role can the CND play in ensuring that lived experience, particularly from Veterans facing trauma, disability, and non-traditional therapies, is meaningfully incorporated into deliberations?
Submitted by: Veterans Action Council
CND Chair. The CND recognises that effective and evidence based policies benefit from the inclusion of people with lived experiences, this includes veterans with trauma. There are several possibilities for NGOs to engage in meaningful dialogue within the framework of CND: side events, thematic discussions, etc. We will continue strengthening these mechanisms, ensuring that discussions are informed by practical realities. We will continue to promote policies in collaboration with other sectors so that these reflect the complex realities of specific populations. This is consistent with the UN Drug control treaties to protect the health and welfare of humankind.
VNGOC Chair. We have finished all the questions in a short amount of time, thank you for engaging with civil society. We hope the discussions will continue with the thematic intersessional discussions as this is an important time for us to share our experiences. With this message, and hope for future collaboration, thank you and have a nice, more relaxing day today at the plenary.
CND Chair. Thank you for this opportunity to engage with you all. We will continue our efforts of engagement with NGOs and youth in the work of the CND.