Item 3 – General Debate (cont.)
Guatemala: Would like to extend a warm greeting to acting Executive Director. The world drug problem is a complex challenge that requires multifaceted responses. As a transit country, Guatemala strengthens operative activities to combat trafficking and related structures. Seized over 950kg of cocaine in 2025, over 400 so far this year. Strengthening mechanisms for controlling precursors. In January, signed an interministerial agreement with the goal to strengthen coordination and prevent diversion. Consolidated an early warning system for identifying and managing risks, issued 2 early warnings. The adoption of this protocol has allowed Guatemala to establish clear procedures and compliance with laws. Reiterate our commitment to the implementation of the 3 drug conventions and the UNGASS 2016 and Ministerial Declaration 2019.
Mongolia: The world drug problem threatens … Mongolia is intensifying efforts to combat trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Criminal liabilities are calculated on potency and amount of substance involved, and laws continue to be refined. The government created an independent anti-drugs unit, strengthening capacity to combat trafficking and increased cooperation. Drug use is increasingly affecting younger segments of the population, need to target families .. to safeguard future generations. The absence of comprehensive treatment guidelines and support for drug users complicates the response. Limited precursor identification abilities … Insufficient awareness among youth, unregulated drug advertisements further exacerbate the problem. Mongolia cooperates with the UNODC regional … Drug related crime is not merely a violation of law, it is a shared global challenge. We reiterate support for implementation of international instruments, including the 3 international drug control conventions. Mongolia stands ready to strengthen collaboration with UNODC and other UN agencies as well as regional entities to respond to the problem effectively.
Cuba: Cuba would like to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to prevention and tackling of the world drug problem. Cuba maintains a zero tolerance policy to organized crime, specifically trafficking in illicit substances. This policy is based on coordinating balance between prevention and enforcement, and severe action on organized crime and assistance to the victims of drug use, guaranteeing the rejection by most of the population to this scourge. Thanks to the cross-cutting strategy, Cuba is neither producer, consumer or transit country. Our monitoring system faulted attempts to introduce drugs, seizing tons that did not reach the final destination of consumption. The international blockade and financial siege is the biggest obstacle of implementation. Severely restricts access to labs, energy resources, patrolling for borders and medical supplies needed to treat victims of drugs. The directive strangles our country. The oil blockade will not reduce the willingness among our border officers and lawmakers to be a block of defence in the Caribbean against this surge. With technical assistance from COPOLAD – an information network, research network and an early warning system was established. The fight against drugs is an issue of national security, but also a question of health and wellbeing for families. Cuba is not the problem. Cuba is part of the solution.
Qatar: The 2025 World Drug Report and Executive Director’s report paint a grim picture of the global drug problem. The markets are expanding in size, scope and complexity. Drug use continues to rise, and the number of drug users keeps increasing. Production, manufacturing have become more mobile and technologically advanced and geographically spread. The criminal use of information technologies, including dark web and cryptocurrencies keeps increasing. This discouraging picture should not lead to despair, the 3 drug conventions and other related instruments provide a legal framework. What we need is the political will to adopt measures that are comprehensive and not those that are reactive, such as the use of excessive force by law enforcement, legalization of certain substances for recreational use or focusing solely on harm reduction policies. Law enforcement, treatment, development … Emphasize prevention as the most important strategy. ….. Drying up the financial flows of criminal networks and respecting human rights. The dangers of drugs to the health and safety of citizens, especially young people. Because drugs violate human rights, especially the right to life. Qatar carries out prevention operations involving the community alongside families and the media. Launching preventive education campaigns at colleges, youth centers, sports clubs and others. This is coupled with other obligations under the conventions and other relevant instruments. All of that has made Qatar one of the most drug free countries. We express our firm convention that supporting the UN system and its institutions is essential in order to strengthen solidarity and international cooperation and bolster capacity of states to address the world drug problem. Lets reaffirm commitment to a world free of drugs.
Dominican Republic: We align with the G77 and GRULAC statements. The world drug problem continues to evolve and has profound health impacts, as well as effects on sexual wellbeing and the environment. We need evidence-based responses. We reiterate our commitment to protect our citizens and security, combatting drug traffickers who threaten peace and development. We take action within international law to strengthen maritime security nationally and internationally. We are working with allies, with a shared sense of common responsibility and determination, to fight against drug trafficking and its effects on society. From 2020 to 2025, we reached record seizures through operations in airports, ports, borders, the coast, and across our territory. Over 48,000 kilos of illegal drugs were seized. We reiterate our support in fighting NPS and synthetic drugs. We highlight our participation in the regional seminar of El Pacto 2.0 and ALCOCA, where Caribbean countries shared experiences, methodologies, and challenges. The NPS threat is growing. We have adopted concrete measures, such as a specialised department for synthetic drugs and a presidential decree that makes the strategy against synthetic drugs and precursors a priority. We have strengthened control capacity with UNODC through different programmes, like AIRCOP. We make the following pledge for action on our commitments to drug control. We commit to strengthening, by 2028, our national policies of prevention and early intervention, particularly for children, vulnerable populations, and youth, according to evidence and international standards. We also commit to treatment and rehabilitation, and to exchanging experiences with different member states to achieve this.
Burkina Faso: We endorse the statement of the African Group. We are committed to the three conventions on drugs, our pillars for efficient cooperation to overcome the world drug problem. We are making significant efforts on the prevention of the manufacture, production, and use of drugs. We are strengthening border control: in 2024, we achieved record seizures, with over 130 tons seized. In 2025, several people involved in the international transport of high-risk drugs were sentenced. We are raising awareness among our population through a new action plan for 2025-2029 and a national strategy on drugs. We have also enhanced health services to care for people with dependence. Awareness-raising sessions have benefited thousands of people. The Ministry of Security delegation participated in a multiparty dialogue, “Mapping Future Drug Markets in West Africa,” which was held in Accra, Ghana, in 2025. We are committed to implementing its call for action. We thank UNODC, the EU, and the European Commission for similar meetings held in October 2025 as part of the “No Patient Left Behind” initiative. We recognize the links between trafficking and the financing of terrorist groups in the Sahel. All member states must commit to ending the production and trafficking of harmful drugs of all kinds. We stress the importance of international cooperation, capacity building, and tailored assistance, particularly for developing countries.
Iraq: Our national anti-drugs strategy for 2025-2030 is based on a balanced approach to reduce supply and demand. Imbalances in this equilibrium would make the response ineffective. Reducing supply is not just about seizures and dismantling networks, but also about international and regional cooperation, exchanging information, judicial follow-up, and border control. Reducing demand is also about early detection and community awareness to recognise the signs of drug use so they can be dealt with responsibly. Iraq has intensified measures against trafficking to dismantle networks locally and internationally. We have established treatment and rehabilitation centres that operate with dignity and offer real opportunities for reintegration into society. This is not a tactical choice but a comprehensive vision that community security is based on protection, not punishment. We are applying strict measures and avoiding simplification or partial measures. We have a firm conviction that drug use and addiction are not moral deviations but complex medical conditions requiring treatment, rehabilitation, and care, alongside legal firmness against criminal networks. We have clear strategic goals combining humanitarian and security dimensions without prioritising one over the other. We are also focused on community awareness. The responsibility to combat drugs is a shared responsibility, including individuals, families, educational institutions, the media, the private sector, and civil society. Through awareness campaigns, training programmes, and coordination efforts, we are building a vigilant society capable of protecting itself and helping institutions fulfil their duties. Internationally, we spearheaded three international conferences in Baghdad with neighbouring countries and international organisations, which produced important recommendations, including enhanced trust and communications to fight drugs and organised crime. We are using controlled deliveries as an advanced security tool, in coordination with relevant bodies and in line with the 1988 Convention. This method allows us to track networks across borders and catch masterminds instead of mere low-level criminals, marking improvements in our effectiveness. We are looking forward to working with others towards safe societies and generations free from addiction, capable of contributing to their own communities.
Jordan: We align ourselves with the statement of the G77 and China. We are concerned by the evolving nature of the world drug problem. Instability and conflict have fostered sophisticated criminal activities. There has been a proliferation of drug production infrastructure and transfers of know-how on production, which have increased trafficking, threatening public security and contributing to broader patterns of organised transnational crime. The scale and complexity requires international engagement and support to confront drug production and trafficking networks in order to reduce instability. The rapid expansion of synthetic drugs and NPS has transformed the drug landscape, making drugs more accessible and harder to control. This is a difficult societal challenge. We have prioritised treatment and rehabilitation, along with a range of responses, to protect our youth in a balanced approach. The scale and complexity underscore the insufficiencies of the current approach, which requires enhanced international cooperation and the exchange of capacity to respond to the evolving drug situation. We are committed to working with all relevant stakeholders.
Greece: … highly potent opioids are increasing health risks and creating challenges. Our responses must be grounded in public health and human rights. In line with the European Union, we support a comprehensive approach. Prevention, treatment, and harm reduction are not optional measures, they are crucial for human dignity. We need to invest in knowledge. Artificial intelligence, digital monitoring tools can help identify trafficking patterns. … We have strengthened cooperation between drug checking and university laboratory services so we can detect substances at an early stage. We have adopted harm reduction responses. No national system is sufficient alone. Online markets operate globally. International cooperation must be strengthened, including information exchange, shared indicators covering both health and security and coordinated capacity building. Sustainable and predictable funding for prevention,treatment, harm reduction and protection of vulnerable populations is crucial. The involvement of civil society is fundamental to effective drug strategies. We require strong political commitment to advance a human rights centered response to the world drug problem.
Paraguay: … Strong support for the work of this Commission and international efforts to tackle the world drug problem. Reiffarm commitment to ML 2019 and UNGASS 2016. My country is actively participating in regional mechanisms such as SICAD from OAS and regional mechanisms within MERCOSUR, including promoting sustainable alternative development for vulnerable communities. International cooperation and technical assistance are key, especially for developing countries without a coastline. Paraguay is promoting the establishment of a UNODC program office to strengthen cooperation to tackle trafficking and organized crime. Collaboration with the USA has strengthened through exchange in informational intelligence. Close cooperation with Brazil through Operation Allianca, aimed at eradicating illegal marijuana crops, including to protect sensitive environmental areas. When it comes to reducing demand, strengthening programs aimed at students and vulnerable communities. Continuing to build capacity when it comes to banning and control. Also strengthened controls as part of support chains and made progress in safe management and final disposal of substances. Continuing to strengthen early warning system. Making progress in implementing alternative development policies, promoting initiatives for value chain for medicinal cannabis to create economic opportunities for vulnerable communities,
Nepal: … Aligned with G77 and China and Asia Pacific Group. We thank UNODC for the activities report and World Drug Report. Nepal committed to all 3 international conventions, 2019 Ministerial Declaration, and 2009 Declaration. It is crucial to intensify efforts to combat the world drug problem. Prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, risk reduction … Nepal has implemented regulatory practices for precursor chemicals, closely working with … We request UNODC and the international community to provide technical assistance to developing countries, particularly to ensure compliance with SDGs.
Romania: … Romania is facing an increase in demand for new psychoactive substances.In this context we support a unified framework while reducing differences between member states on the legal definition of the word drug. We should remind ourselves that civil society plays an important role in the implementation of prevention campaigns. Taking this into consideration, I would like to use UNODC Pledge4Action to strengthen commitment to services provided by NGOs and community in prevention, including harm reduction services are often discontinued due to funding. Therefore I pledge to provide financial contributions to qualify NGOs capable of delivering quality services to ensure their continuity. In a strong partnership, Romania commits to partnership and supporting innovative initiatives that will be financed and launched by the end of this year.
Bangladesh: Bangladesh aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Group of 77 and China, and the statement delivered by the Asia Pacific Group; under our new Prime Minister, Bangladesh remains steadfast in its support of the international drug control conventions, advocating for a balanced approach integrating demand reduction, supply reduction, and international cooperation as outlined in the 2009 Political Declaration and the 2014 High-Level Review. Our geographical proximity to major production areas and our porous borders contribute to the influx of substances such as methamphetamine, commonly known as yaba and ice, and to counter this threat, our law enforcement and drug control agencies have intensified efforts and successfully intercepted large quantities of these drugs. This illicit supply particularly targets vulnerable populations, including students, and in response, we have strengthened our national legal frameworks by introducing enhanced penalties, provisions for treatment and rehabilitation, harm reduction elements, and measures for the reintegration of individuals into society. We commend the UNODC for its support in capacity building, including training for frontline officers on drug interdiction and passenger and cargo operations; transnational trafficking demands enhanced regional cooperation, and we call for stronger intelligence sharing between South and Southeast Asian states, as well as greater technical assistance and resource support from the UNODC and member states to enhance forensic capabilities and address both supply and demand. We support multilateralism within the CND framework, and all states should provide sustainable resources to the UNODC to increase capacity building for developing countries; Bangladesh will work collaboratively with all partners to free our world from the scourge of drugs.
Hungary: Hungary aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and would like to add a few words in a national capacity; we are a committed party to the international drug control conventions, and the role of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is essential for coordinating, implementing, and interpreting these treaties, and we express our appreciation for the work of the UNODC, the INCB, and the ECDD. The effective functioning of these bodies is often compromised by a lack of resources, and we rely on these institutions to act as arbiters between member states, providing a vital forum for the convergence of diverse drug policies and responses, and the CND represents a key opportunity to identify workable solutions, with the “Vienna Spirit” being fundamental to maintaining the CND as a constructive body. We commend the European Commission for the adoption of the new EU drug strategy framework, which sustains the core principle of science- and evidence-based measures in respect of human rights while addressing the pressing challenges related to drug trafficking—goals that we fully support.
Sovereign Order of Malta: The Sovereign Order of Malta is one of the oldest humanitarian institutions, dedicated to supporting people in situations of vulnerability, illness, and marginalization, and our Order is committed to its neutral, impartial, and apolitical character; narcotic drugs represent a serious challenge to populations worldwide, as the World Drug Report 2025 states that 350 million people used drugs in 2023—a figure which does not include alcohol and tobacco—representing a significant percentage of the world population, with more than half a million people dying in 2021 due to drug-related disorders and the illicit drug trade generating hundreds of millions per year, even if the hidden nature of the market makes it difficult to accurately estimate. The Order appreciates its cooperation with the UNODC, and the World Drug Report highlights how new groups of vulnerable people are increasingly at risk of drug use; the Youth Forum potentiates prevention efforts in local communities, and we welcome efforts on online literacy and programs for well-being related to the digital space, supporting the involvement of peers in policy dialogues and encouraging continued cooperation between young representatives and policymakers, including through innovative formats beyond this annual session. We are deeply concerned by the dangers of substance use disorders and drugs, as substance use disproportionately affects people in situations of vulnerability—with young people who are marginalized being particularly at risk—and evidence-based prevention and a commitment to human dignity are fundamental, and the Order will continue to cooperate.
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: Excellencies, the objective of responding effectively to drugs and the illicit drug trade is clear and shared; nonetheless, drug use continues to rise, deaths related to drug use continue to mount, drug gangs continue to profit and proliferate, and too many lives are being ruined not just by drug use itself but also by the consequences of counterproductive policies that prioritize punishment over people. As the High Commissioner for Human Rights has said, “The evidence is clear. The so-called ‘War on Drugs’ has failed, completely and utterly.” This year marks the tenth anniversary of UNGASS 2016, which led to a collective commitment from all States to uphold their human rights obligations in drug control efforts, so it is an opportune moment to ask: how are we doing? In some ways the answer is yes; we have seen several States initiate drug policy reform based on evidence, human rights, and public health, with 112 countries having explicit references to harm reduction in national policy documents and over 30 countries around the world having adopted legal reforms to remove the criminalisation of certain activities related to drug use—these are some progresses. But on the whole, progress has been slow and incomplete; the war on drugs continues to stigmatize communities and subject them to mass incarceration and violence, with impacts felt disproportionately by certain groups such as people of African descent. The use of the death penalty for drug-related offences continues—a practice that contravenes international human rights law—and as recent events remind us, the drug war has come to involve the frequent deployment of lethal force. Over 150 people have reportedly been killed by US strikes on alleged “narcoterrorists” in the Caribbean and the Pacific, under circumstances that our Office found to have no justification in international law; at least 121 people were killed, including four police officers, in a single police operation in Rio de Janeiro last October, leading OHCHR to call for full-fledged police reform and an end to systemic racism; just a few weeks ago, 25 Mexican military officers died in the line of duty in an operation against a cartel leader infamous for his corruption and brutality; and recently the International Criminal Court initiated proceedings against former President Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity in the context of his war on drugs in the Philippines. Excellencies, we believe there is a better way; we believe drug policy can be both more humane and more effective. It starts with prevention: reducing drug use-related harm by adopting a strong public health approach, ensuring that prevention measures are evidence-based and focus realistically on reducing harmful use, and addressing root causes such as poverty, homelessness, employment insecurity, and systemic discrimination. Second, harm reduction measures: harm reduction can prevent deaths, save lives, and contribute to the right to health. Third, decriminalization and responsible regulation in certain areas, informed by a growing body of evidence. Finally, drug policy must be embedded in the rule of law and accountability; for drug control measures to be seen as legitimate and enjoy public cooperation, they cannot be seen as a war on people—often poor, marginalized people. Serious human rights violations committed in drug control efforts should be investigated promptly, independently, and impartially, and victims should receive effective remedies. Excellencies, the International Guidelines on Human Rights and Drug Policy provide essential guidance for redoubling our efforts to live up to the commitments of UNGASS 2016. Thank you.
Council of Europe: The Pompidou Group reaffirms commitment to holistic approach to drug policies. Particular importance is attached to collaboration with UNODC. 6 interconnected priorities: first, combating organized crime and drug trafficking through enhanced international collaboration. Second, countering emerging drugs in online and digital environments, including digital addictions. We support activities to protect children and young people. Third, we promote harm reduction. We call on CND to ensure policies are rooted in health and human rights. … The prevention and early education and intervention. Fifth, promoting inclusion of civil society and people with lived and living experience to strengthen evidence based activities. Remains committed to a balanced approach that protects public security and promotes human rights. Work towards human and future oriented policies and advance the global response to drugs and addictions challenges.
African Union: Allow me to begin by acknowledging the disproportionate impact of the world drug problem on less developed and developing countries, where it continues to undermine sustainable development, governance, public health, and peace and security. We reaffirm that the work of this Commission must support global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals and broader global commitments to health, development, and human dignity. The vision of the African Union, as articulated in Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, places the health, security, and socio-economic well-being of African citizens at the centre of continental transformation. This vision is grounded in the principle of leaving no one behind and in promoting resilient, inclusive, and healthy societies. In line with this vision, the African Union has adopted a range of continental frameworks addressing drug control and crime prevention. Through these instruments, the Union continues to promote a balanced, comprehensive, and evidence-based approach to the world drug problem—one that integrates public health, law enforcement cooperation, prevention, treatment, and sustainable development. In 2025, the African Union completed a comprehensive end‑of‑term evaluation of the Fifth African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention (2019 – 2025). The evaluation confirmed that the Plan provided a strong and coherent strategic framework, well aligned with both continental priorities and global commitments . At the same time, the evaluation highlighted persistent implementation challenges, including limited domestic financing, institutional capacity constraints, gaps in monitoring and evaluation systems, and fragmented coordination mechanisms. Addressing these challenges will be essential to ensuring more effective and sustainable responses across the continent. Looking ahead, the African Union is currently developing a successor strategy and action plan, which is expected to be considered and adopted by the relevant AU policy organs in September 2026. This new framework aims to further strengthen continental cooperation, enhance national implementation, and support Member States in responding to evolving drug markets and emerging challenges. Chairperson, Allow me to conclude by underscoring the critical importance of regional cooperation. Across Africa, Member States are at different stages in the development of their drug policies and often approach these challenges from diverse perspectives. The African Union provides an important continental platform for dialogue, coordination, and peer learning, enabling Member States to exchange experiences, build consensus, and advance collective and coordinated responses to the world drug problem. We remain committed to working closely with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, international partners, and Member States to strengthen effective, balanced, and sustainable responses.
International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL): … Mandated by 196 member states, INTERPOL works to strengthen law enforcement cooperation across the world. The communications system allows real time information exchange to 19 different datameses that were searched over 9 billion times last year. As the Conventions were adopted, Member States were encouraged to make the best use of INTERPOL. Cross-border operations, investigate assistance, capacity building and threat analysis. In 2025, Interpol coordinated … to warn Member States of a new fentanyl precursor that was not yet regulated. International cooperation is essential to combat the world drug threat, Purple notices to inform of new threats, including heroin disguised as tea in Myanmar. Interpol is introducing a new task force model to ensure direct access to expertise, with the support of Canada. A second task force in Latin America with the support of Brazil will be established.
The Colombo Plan Secretariat: In 2025, the Colombo Plan organised a cooperation of law enforcement conference; we support global efforts to detect emerging synthetic threats, including newly identified fentanyl-related substances, and we contribute to global alerts on opioids and synthetic opioids, capacity building for synthetic drug analysis, and the donation of equipment for forensic chemistry to countries in the region, as well as fostering law enforcement cooperation platforms, which underscores the importance of collaboration and technical assistance in responding to evolving challenges, and we are committed to supporting our member states on this matter.
Amotifo Care Center International: As we look towards the 2029 ministerial review, despite decades of investment in the war on drugs, the drug trade remains wide-ranging, and drug couriers and low-level supply chain actors tend to be from vulnerable populations; you cannot police your way out of a societal issue—we must stop focusing on the substances and focus on the child. The ACC provides full-spectrum care across Africa, offering a blueprint for economic prevention, with projected impact transformative when children are provided with nutrition and housing, making them less likely to be recruited by criminal networks. Our approach rests on three pillars: stability—replacing social vacancy with support; trauma-informed care, not fear campaigns; and competitive education, ensuring the drug trade is an uncompetitive career option—we are not about “just say no,” but about saying yes to a desirable career. Investing in healthcare is more effective than incarcerating, and the CND should pivot 15% of enforcement budgets into universal protection. We must decriminalise the victims; minors in the trade are victims and should be diverted to care, not cells. ACC children show that children who are loved, fed, and educated do not need the false refuge of narcotics; let us move beyond control and towards care.
Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC): I am making this statement on behalf of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, and I would like to thank the Chair for giving me the floor. Since our organization came into being in 2013, the modus operandi and landscape of illicit drug trafficking, and the drug policy world, have both changed beyond recognition. The architecture of international drug control, under the CND, was constructed around a set of assumptions about how drugs are produced, how they move, and who moves them; this is reflected in the Conventions, the consensus-based multilateral cooperation agreements under the CND, and the programmes that implement its outcomes. That framework remains largely unchanged, but we live today in a new drug policy world—one shaped by the intersection of synthetic drug market expansion; the adaptive, increasingly diversified and networked collection of organised criminal groups that sustain it; the technologies that reframe it; and an altered geopolitical terrain. The 2025 Global Organized Crime Index assessed that the synthetic drug trade registered the largest year-on-year increase of any criminal market since its measurements began five years ago. No longer are drug trafficking groups the hierarchical, territorially-bounded organisations of popular imagination; today they look instead like service-model networks that operate in a borderless, rapidly-evolving transactional environment. International drug policy development remains, as it should, a multilateral enterprise, but we meet in an era of unprecedented strain for the system. As such, the new High-Level Review Panel of the CND has a daunting task ahead. To succeed, it must take heed of the data and trends produced by diverse sources—not just state data documenting seizures and arrests, as has too often been the case in the past. Along with the data we provide globally, I would like to highlight two regional initiatives pioneering locally-led analysis and solutions. We proudly serve as the Secretariat of the East and Southern Africa Commission on Drugs, chaired by former President Motlanthe of South Africa, and now we are honoured to be working together with the governments of Ghana and the Netherlands, and in partnership with all West African states, to implement the Accra Call to Action, agreed by governments from all West African states at the November 2025 high-level dialogue in Accra, as contained in CND conference room paper 8. Both initiatives have already produced novel data and analysis of relevance to the new panel as it starts its work, and will continue to do so. Thank you.
Turkish Green Crescent Society: TBC
Instituto RIA: TBC
United States (right of reply): Responding to the statement on the death penalty, this was an unsolicited and provocative statement; this body has no authority to tell states how to punish offences under their criminal law. In relation to China, we expect the end of the flow of fentanyl to the United States—China has done so in the past in response to the world drug problem when it was a priority of their government, and they should prioritise this issue now; there is no time to wait, as thousands continue to die, and we expect China to show how it respects saving American lives. On the so-called unilateral coercive sanctions, economic sanctions are important and legitimate tools to respond to states that threaten behaviours that threaten global stability, national security, and human dignity; they are not punitive, they are about changing behaviour—if the damaging behaviour stops, we stop the sanctions, as we did recently in Syria. It is about constraining the ability of bad actors to take advantage of financial systems to harm people. We add that Cuba’s statement on the embargo is false; the Cuban regime offers the same tired excuses for its failures—their system does not work and never has. They should change and have a functional economy; they have a chance to take control of their own future but instead justify a dysfunctional status quo. Multiple exemptions under the embargo exist, and the United States has for decades permitted the export to Cuba of agricultural products, medical devices, basic goods, etc. In response to Iran, President Trump laid out clear objectives about the combat operations: defending the American people, protecting our forces and partners, and ensuring Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. For decades, Iran’s support for terrorism has threatened lawful governments, threatened US forces, and endangered shipping; Iran’s development of advanced missile systems and aspirations to develop nuclear capabilities is a growing risk, and the international community has long recognised this threat.
Iran (right of reply): The representative of the Israeli regime made egregious allegations against Iran. In their joint war of aggression, Israel and the United States have focused on the mass targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, resulting in the martyrdom of more than 1,300 civilians. Thousands of civilian objectives have been hit, including residences, commercial properties, medical centres, schools, and energy supply infrastructure. One hundred and sixty-eight schoolgirls, aged between 7 and 12, were martyred in their primary school as a result of a US double-tap airstrike that bombed the school and then killed survivors and first responders. I have a full statement on these civilian objectives, but for the sake of time I will stop here, and my full statement will be available on the website of the Permanent Mission. I have something to add: the US president said they have laser-precision missiles, and yet they killed those girls—missiles used to target civilians, with indiscriminate carpet bombing taking place. The suggestion that Israel and the US use missiles lawfully does not stand; they are committing war crimes. I could go on for a long time discussing the long list of actions they have supposedly taken against nuclear weapons, when they are the ones that possess nuclear capabilities. They do not put their arsenal under the scrutiny of the IAEA, yet they tell us we can be bombed for the potential to develop such weapons. I will leave it for now.
Cuba (right of reply): The blockade exerted by the United States tries to damage our revolution, including a total blockade on fuel this year. Washington has a long list of lies, presenting Cuba as a threat which it is not; they say we are a malign influence for people in North America, and that is the pretext used to deprive us of resources. The United States is actually engaging in blackmail, threatening the rules of the international community. This is an attack on the Cuban people, who have suffered the longest economic blockade imposed against a population. It is the right of Cubans to choose their system; the United States is not an exemplary democracy. The recent statement by the US representative denying the existence of a blockade needs to be addressed—it has a destructive effect. They should revise their statement to recognise the negative impacts on life in Cuba. The truth is always more powerful and will always prevail.
Israel (right of reply): Delusional accusations by Iran. The regime destabilises the region. It seeks to destroy Israel and develop nuclear capabilities while financing proxies like Hezbollah who attack Israel today. Iran targets civilians and civilian infrastructure. A city in Israel was attacked. Killing 12 civilians and wounding 60. Israel continues to attack us.
China (right of reply): We take the fentanyl challenge very seriously and were the first to classify the entire class and a wide range of precursors; we are strengthening intelligence exchange with the United States and other countries, demonstrating our clear commitment to collaborate, and we encourage the United States to focus on solving its national problem while we stand ready to support.
Iran (right of reply): This is the hypocrisy I am talking about: they have killed more than 70,000 people in Gaza and more than 1,300 in Iran, and now they are complaining about twelve in their own country—that is the hypocrisy of Israel. Recent tragic events confirm who the true destabilising force in the region is; in the past two years, the most serious crimes of international concern, including genocide, have been committed by the Israeli regime, and its authorities are wanted war criminals.
Israel (right of reply): Iran uses lies and fabrications instead of addressing the real issues. The group of Iranian exiles who stand here week after week speak about the prisoners of that regime, who are held without water, health, or sanitation. The Iranian people are celebrating in the streets, including here outside Vienna, because they know the truth about their regime’s true behaviour and murderous intents. Recently, in the past few months, tens of thousands of Iranian protesters were murdered by their own government, and no amount of rhetoric in this room or time spent on rights of reply will change that.
5b: Challenges and future work of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the World Health Organization and the International Narcotics Control Board in the review of substances for possible scheduling recommendations
UNODC: A record 700+ new substances have been recorded in 2025. Many NPS produce harmful effects comparable to the substances under the conventions. The Commission has placed 89 of the most prevalent NPS under control and acted decisively on precursors also. This shows what’s possible when interventions are guided by science. Implementation challenges still persists. 98 fentanyl analogues and potent nitazenes opioids continue to appear. In the last decade, 29 of the most dangerous opioids have been scheduled and this week the Commission will vote to schedule two more. Dangers include driving under the influence and… Chemical precursors continue to pose challenges and we cannot rely on scheduling alone. It is essential to follow science and evidence, complement international measures and build proactive rather than reactive measures. We will continue to provide the CND, INCB and WHO with information to support timely responses.
WHO: The Conventions provide the foundations for scheduling based on therapeutic value and risk of harm. Under 1961 and 1971 Conventions there are two distinct schedules with specific regulatory obligations for member states. The WHO ECDD plays a central role offering recommendations to UN SG and CND regarding the level of international control needed to prevent harm to health. WHO’s overarching objectives through proposals of drug scheduling is to uphold public health. National authorities retain the flexibility to classify drugs differently in their domestic frameworks and introduce controls for substances not listed. A balanced approach is essential in policies. They must take into account the vital role of harm reduction strategies. They should also consider the harms of excessive controls, including excessive measures that fall on vulnerable populations. ….. When emerging data highlight therapeutic benefits or that risk has been overestimated. The scheduling of controlled medicines should be context specific. Decisions must be informed by inclusive consultations with health authorities, professional organizations, patients and all relevant stakeholders. Should never hinder ethically approved clinical research. In 2025, WHO published a revised version of its guideline on balanced national controlled medicine policies to ensure medical access and safety. WHO advises that further research be carried out on the impacts of scheduling at national level with regards to access and safety measures. It is imperative scheduling measures uphold the core objective of the Conventions, to protect health and welfare. This requires a careful balance.
INCB: (…)
European Union: TBC
5b: Challenges and future work of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the World Health Organization and the International Narcotics Control Board in the review of substances for possible scheduling recommendations
Colombia: TBC
Venezuela (right of reply): It is important to recall that various UN reports demonstrate that Venezuela is not a relevant actor in drug trafficking to the United States; on the contrary, we have a sustained policy of combatting illicit trafficking based on international cooperation, territorial control, and activities within our security institutions, allowing us to seize significant amounts of drugs and neutralise criminal networks. It is worrying that these statements are made following the military aggression of 3 January against the Republic of Venezuela, which has opted for the route of diplomacy; we have had constructive and respectful dialogue on security and combatting drug trafficking, and this is the moment to honour our willingness to enter into dialogue and avoid narratives that do not contribute to tackling an issue on which we need to collaborate. We would respectfully request that the United States contributes to this climate of dialogue and mutual respect so that we may move forward together in the fight against this scourge that affects our people, and we call on the secretariat to reflect this statement in the session’s report.
Chair: We continue our consideration of item 5 tomorrow without interpretation.