Item 6. Follow-up to the implementation at the national, regional, and international levels of all commitments, as reflected in the Ministerial Declaration of 2019, to address and counter the world drug problem (continued)

Chair: I want you to hear updates from the Youth Forum, the WHO/INCB Scientific Network, the UNODC/CSO consultation on HIV AIDS, and the meeting of the Young Doctors Network. Keep your interventions to a maximum of 3 minutes.

Youth Forum: Before you stand, 26 young leaders united as one voice to advocate for substance use prevention. Substance use disorders are closer than you think. It’s not a health issue only; it’s a barrier to education and a shadow over future opportunities. Risks can be amplified by poverty, glamourisation of drugs on social media. When young people grow up with education and supportive relationships, we are more likely to build a positive future. Science-based policies to identify what works and identify solutions adapted to our communities, including via early prevention, are critical. We must transform this into spaces for genuine peer-to-peer interventions. We can lead campaigns that are empathetic and adapted to youth. Nobody understands our priorities better than we do, and our realities. Youth around the world are already actively contributing to change. We are eager and ready to put prevention into action, but we need your support and collaboration to play a better role in prevention and work together towards a safer and healthier world. We are speaking as a single, unified voice for change. A better world for youth begins with prevention.

Informal Scientific Network, University of Minnesota, USA on the INCB/WHO Scientific Network Meeting: Polydrug use is increasingly common. Drug use patterns and markets have changed, but policy responses have not. The 2024 WDR shows that overdose deaths often involve multiple drugs. There are significant gaps in current responses. National drug strategies should recognise and address the polydrug use trend. Strengthening life-saving emergency and overdose prevention is critical. Above all, shifting from punitive approaches to health-centred systems is important. Ensure stronger public health responses that capture indicators on polydrug use. National monitoring systems require strong coordination and technological capacity. Timely and interactive information sharing should facilitate public health actions. Develop guidance informed by guidance and practical experiences. This encompasses research on polydrug use, expanding the application of science and fostering cooperation to fill key gaps. Reduce the burden of polydrug use through inclusive, comprehensive healthcare. Dedicated resources should be dedicated to health practices, including for civil society and communities. Recognising the public health and social consequences of polydrug use is urgent. Member States should implement person-centred public health approaches. 

UNODC Young Doctors Network: Ensuring access to medicines containing controlled substances while preventing diversion and nonmedical use remains an unresolved global challenge. Millions lack access to controlled medicines. Meanwhile, illegal drug use is growing. We must engage medical doctors and other health professionals and patients to strengthen evidence-based drug policy. Doctors offer relevant perspectives and navigate different issues via medical practices. They are aware of the impacts of unbalanced drug policies. Reform requires platforms for collaboration and information-sharing. This is such a platform. We call on Member States in the following areas: build workforce capacity through training curricula to advance public competence. Generate evidence by supporting information systems, specific research, and for identifying effective community interventions. Involve communities, including civil society and people with lived experiences for drug prevention, harm reduction, anti-stigma, treatment, and recovery support. Enable regulatory practices aligned with treatment guidelines, enhance traceability and accountability while erasing unnecessary barriers. Ensure alignment with technical guidelines from WHO/UNODC, ensure access for patients, and avoid diversion. We are committed to contributing technical expertise to support Member States in achieving balanced, health-centred drug policies.
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Item 4. Strategic management, budgetary, and administrative systems

CND Chair: The CND exercises its role as the governing body of UNODC. I want to recall that at the Reconvened 68th session, the CND adopted resolution 68/7 on the budget for the biennial 26-27 and resolution 68/8 on meetings of heads of national law enforcement agencies and INCB 2026, tabled by Peru. We considered the report of the ED on the implementation of the consolidated budget for UNODC, and the report of the ED on gender balance and geographic representation. For each consideration of item 4, we have the report of the ED on the activities of UNODC and a note by the Secretariat on the draft proposed work plan. Also for consideration is a note on FINGOV by the Secretariat. I will later invite the chair of the WG to update you on the work of the group. We will consider various sub-items, all of which will be introduced and discussed together. I invite you to indicate which sub-item you are speaking to. The Permanent Representative of Italy has the position of vice chair, and the Permanent Representative of Moldova has the position of vice chair. They were nominated by the CND Bureau and CCPCJ Bureau on 6 February and 4 March. We will postpone the action-taking until tomorrow due to a lack of interpretation.

UNODC. As the world goes through challenging times, UNODC’s core mandate areas remain as important as ever. 2025 brought UNODC’s 5-year corporate strategy to a conclusion. Over 5 months, we’ve worked through several processes to develop a strategy for 2026-2030. We conducted consultations with member states and other partners. The results will be analysed and consolidated to be presented to the new UNODC ED. We have taken steps to ensure we retain the value of UNODC’s core work and retain its accountability and impact. We focus on sound budget and programme management. This is presented in UNODC’s report on activities of the Office, and the upcoming 2025 results-based annual report. UNODC remains committed to aligning its field-based technical cooperation, including via the UN80 initiative. In 2025, programme delivery was at 329 million. A decrease of 25.5 million USD, or 6.1%, compared to 2024. Field office networks included 290 million, 75.5% of the total 2025 programme implementation. Programme support costs included 29.9 million USD. This is critical to support UNODC’s overall work. The general purpose fund stood at less than 1% of UNODC’s total income. Let me now turn to item 4(d). As part of the UN Secretariat, we apply Article 1.1 of the UN Charter on efficiency, competence, and integrity, including via gender balance. The Annual Report of the UNODC ED on gender balance provides information about efforts taken in this area. Efforts to ensure gender parity were at 49%, requiring ongoing determination to ensure parity across offices. Ensuring a healthy workforce in a conducive work environment is a top priority. Along with a victim-centred approach and encouraging managers to uphold a zero-tolerance policy in sexual exploitation and abuse, discrimination, and abuse of authority. Thank you, and we stand ready to respond to your questions and comments. 

Mexico, Chair of FINGOV: More detailed information on FINGOV is available in our report. We held one regular meeting on 20-21 October 2025, and we held 5 informal consultations on the draft resolutions contained in the report of the 68th session of the CND. I want to brief you on the outcome of the meeting held by the WG held last year. We held our first regular meeting this year. In line with ECOSOC decision 2022-2016, the meeting was held in two parts: operational and programmatic. Member states were briefed on the biannual budget for 2026-2027, the UNODC strategy, field presence, and matters related to human resources and management. On the programmatic part, we focused on gender issues, counter-terrorism, and other issues. The next meeting will take place in June. The bureau will hold a preparatory meeting ahead of time. We must underscore that coordination and joint action taken by the Chair of the CND alongside FINGOV and CCPCJ are necessary to tackle the lack of interpretation. We can now hold most of these meetings with interpretation in the 6 languages of the UN. I congratulate the new UNODC ED and express my best wishes for her important responsibilities. My appreciation to the current ED. I hope member states will remain involved in this framework.

Colombia. Colombia thanks the ED for the presentation of the report and documents and reiterates our commitment to governance and financial sustainability in a context of liquidity constraints. It’s essential to advance more sustainable funding arrangements and innovative proposals to safeguard the mandate and independence of the office. We value the efforts to improve transparency and accountability to maximise the impact of limited resources. Institutional efficiency must be accompanied by coherence and strategic clarity. On the WDR, an essential instrument, this is an important tool for accountability, and we reiterate the value of technical dialogue with UNODC throughout 2025, where significant issues were identified in relation to estimations of coca cultivation. We require a review and adjustment to the indicators used in the World Drug Report in this regard. We consider that publishing estimates leads to inaccurate interpretations. The report should provide greater transparency and clarification, and not be limited to footnotes. The strength of UNODC depends on member states’ reliance on impartiality and robustness. 

Japan. We meet at a moment of transition and liquidity crisis. Finances are finite, expectations are not. With limited means, we must set clear priorities and act where impact is greatest. The Chair’s nonpaper should not remain ink on paper; it should be reflected in tangible management reforms. The absence of the ED has delayed the formulation of the UNODC strategy for 2026-2030, although we congratulate the new ED. To remain effective, UNODC must focus on its core mandate and areas where impacts are clear. Need to address the roots and precursor chemicals. No country is immune. Need to confront the growing sophistication and diversification of criminal networks. Strengthen counter-measures against the roots of maritime trafficking. If UNODC is to secure sustained support, it should secure understanding and trust through constructive communication. Drug control efforts must be presented as an integral component of a comprehensive security policy. The needs of beneficiary countries and affected communities must guide our work. Japan encourages the UNODC to continue field-based activities and ensure it responds to local conditions. UNODC should also deepen its understanding of countries’ needs and priorities. We encourage continued engagement of this kind, helping ensure that the core mandate receives coherent support. The UN system continues to show disparity. The way in which capacities are addressed leaves room for improvement. We need unity and shared ownership to strengthen sustained and collective efforts. We are strategic partners of UNODC to confront the WDP. But we must act with wisdom, and with results.

Republic of Korea: We underscore the importance of strengthening the efficiency of UNDOC in accordance with UN80. We welcome the proposed focus on efficiency, accountability, and impact in the new UNODC strategy. We commend the work of FINGOV to enhance the organisation’s governance and financial oversight. We also welcome the consultation process for the strategy following the appointment of the UNODC ED. We urge UNODC to place greater priority on impact assessments, communicate the outcomes of UNODC, and ensure more robust reporting. We commend UNODC’s efforts in achieving gender balance, diversity, and inclusivity, while respecting meritocracy.

Pakistan: We appreciate UNODC’s effective contribution. As recognised by the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, UNODC and other stakeholders must continue to grapple with the challenges of drugs. Human life must be prioritised, with appropriate allocation of resources. More support must be allocated to affected countries. We welcome efforts in developing Pakistan Project Number 4. We suggest that more focus is given to counter-narcotic efforts through needs-based capacity building and technical assistance, including staff recruitment from underrepresented countries. 

France: (in French) I would like to speak about multilingualism, which is a value of the UN. The language is not just a communication tool but also a respect of countries. For this reason, even if we understand the budget challenges, this cannot be detrimental to multilinguism. The innovations in terms of technology, including AI, could facilitate the translation of official languages. This is not about substituting the translators’ jobs. Multilinguism is a condition of the legitimacy of this institution. Our session is not being translated. (In English) [The delegate repeats the core of the statement in English]

China: We join multiple UNODC initiatives in drug control. UNODC plays an important role in supporting member states in a comprehensive and balanced approach to responding to the world drug problem. China appreciates UNODC’s tremendous efforts and achievements, and support for the developing countries. The situation in the Asia-Pacific region is becoming ever more severe. The Golden Triangle is a main poppy cultivation area. Synthetic drugs like meth and ket are characterised by large-scale manufacturing. NPS spread rapidly and emerge constantly, making the situation more severe. To address this, China, in the context of the MOU on the cooperation in the MEKONG region, has worked with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and other parties to counter trafficking in the region. China hosts a workshop on countering drugs in ASEAN. Cooperation between law enforcement and frontline officers improving capabilities. UNODC should focus more on East and Southeast Asia and provide support in financial resources and other uspprots and we ask the international community to do likewise to adopt comprehensive measures law enforcement, alternative development, to safeguard regional security and people’s wellbeing. China always supported UNODC’s leadership in international drug control and the implementation of UNGASS 20216 Outcome Document. We are willing to share expertise to support UNODCs work in exchange with other countries to maintain stable and effective drug control system based on the conventions. Support UNDOC to continue strengthenign role and authority in monitoring latest trends through the World Drug Report. And encourage the agency to promote participation and cooperation. WE encourage UNODC to improve geographical representation and better reflect developing countries’ challenges and needs to improve capacities to counter the world drug problem.

Australia (on behalf of Canada, New Zealand, and Australia): We value the work of UNODC, particularly amid financial and other challenges, and see the new leadership as an opportunity to improve further; we reiterate that the conventions and human rights treaties are complementary and should be interpreted consistently, and we are grateful to UNODC for its role in this. Effective responses to drugs and related challenges must recognize that women, Indigenous peoples, LGBTQ+ persons, persons with disabilities, young people, and other communities experience challenges differently—women and young people, for example, face gender-based violence and other barriers, which is why we need gender-segregated data. Gender must continue to be mainstreamed in the implementation, formulation, and evaluation of programmes, and experts should be engaged in capacity-building efforts, as this Commission can support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and underscore the importance of this and how it supports coherence.

Thailand: We thank the ED for their report on the activities of the UNDOC. These activities underscore the importance of UNDOC’s mandate in countering the WDP. We host the regional office of UNODC in the region. The 2025 WDR shows concerning trends, the number of PWUD has increased, the number of people with drug use disorders has also increased. Methamphetamine use is increasing in Southeast Asia. We must step up efforts. Against this backdrop, we are concerned about the liquidity crisis affecting UNDOC’s work. The 46th meeting of HONLEA in Asia-Pacific was convened only for ⅕ day due to lack of funding. It has also defeated the purpose of identifying challenges in combatting drug trafficking. On this note, as a member of the CND, we reaffirm our commitment to continue strengthening our partnership with UNODC. 

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: We agree with the UN Secretary-General that the new UNODC Executive Director has the experience to make a success of the role. We thank Mr. Brandolino, appreciate his support, and wish him all the best. No matter who sits at the top of UNODC, there is a need for reform. We believe in the unique role played by UNODC in our global and collective efforts to fight crime. We presented a non-paper at the reconvened session to improve UNODC’s ability to tackle crime around the world. We do not have all the answers, and we call on other states to join the discussion. We thank Mexico as the Ambassador begins as Chair of FINGOV. If the UN fails to adapt to the times, we risk going from collective action to inaction. We believe that the time for reform is now. The structure of the office must change; we need to remove duplication. As the new Executive Director starts her tenure, her first task is to look at the office she has inherited and prepare a plan for reform by the next reconvened session. The UK will support these efforts.

United States of America: The USA recognises that we face many challenges in the global proliferation of synthetic drugs. We must strengthen our national efforts to counter the drug problem. UNODC is navigating a significant transition. This creates an opportunity and imperative for meaningful reform and outside-the-box thinking. THe reduce UNODC budget and elimination of 3,000 positions underscore that business as usual is no longer an option. We need accountability and efficiency across the UN system. UNODC should maintain discipline in mandate delivery, identify structural realignment, and reduce the number of posts. We must refocus the UN system towards peace and security. Reform must be consequential and lasting, prioritising outcomes over bureaucracy. This is a clear test of leadership. We hope for efficiency, transparency, accountability, and meaningful results. We expect a focus on crime prevention, criminal justice, counter-terrorism, etc. We expert UNODC to reduce duplication. These priorities should be reflected in the new strategy. We do not support diversity and inclusivity in the UNODC’s work and strategy; we support a merit-based approach, consistent with the UN Charter and US law. We do not support untested frameworks. Unlimited resources distract from the work of UNODC. We call on UNODC to remove references to gender and gender-mainstreaming. We also call for transparency and credibility. We encourage Member States to push for proposals that result in meaningful reform.

Russian Federation: These are challenging circumstances for the Commission. The UN’s drastic budget issues have affected its capacity. UNODC’s funding model has relied on contributions. Austerity under the UN80 reform has not resolved financial problems and at times has aggravated them. The situation is worsened by the chronic deficit of the General Purpose Fund of UNODC, hindering strategy. Multilingualism is a cornerstone of the UN. We are disappointed with the decision to strip this discussion of translation. Member States struggle to find consensus ahead of the 2029 review, and the absence of interpretation on items as important as this one undermines our efforts. When developing the programme budget for 2026 last December, the General Assembly requested the Secretary-General specifically “to make additional efforts to provide conference management for meetings in the calendar of the UN for 2026 approved by the General Assembly.” Russia was hoping to see such efforts, since the CND was on the list. We strongly believe that adjustments to conference management services provided for CND, and the cuts in UNODC and INCB secretariat, should be discussed with Member States before adoption by the Secretariat. FINGOV is the right group to inform us of such proposals, and we ask UNODC to take note of the FINGOV Chair’s paper on the matter. To fill the funding gap, my country provides annual contributions of three million dollars for UN activities in counter-narcotics capacity in Central Asia, Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, and for drug use prevention, youth engagement, maritime policy, and crimes involving ICT. We call on Member States to provide sufficient funding through the regular budget and donor contributions.

Chair: This item will remain open until tomorrow to confirm the decision of CND and CCPCJ for vice chairs of FINGOV. We move now to item 6, which we started this afternoon.

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Item 6. Follow-up to the implementation at the national, regional and international levels of all commitments, as reflected in the Ministerial Declaration of 2019, to address and counter the world drug problem

Chair. In 2019, Member States reiterated their commitment to addressing and countering all aspects of the world drug problem, and foster broad, transparent and inclusive discussions. We drafted a work programme from 2019 to 2029. These were structured in 3 thematic days each year. Last year, these sessions focused on health issues.  Each session included introductory presentations by UNODC, panellists from regional groups, UN entities and non-governmental organisations, and an interactive debate. Delegations had the opportunity to also highlight persistent, new or ongoing issues relevant to their context. Challenges included AD, multi-drug toxicity deaths, emerging drug threats, policy responses to cannabis and cannabis-related products, the WHO’s critical review of the coca leaf. The CND has before it the report of the UNODC’s activities for 2025, the report of the secretariat on the world situation, and the report of UNODC’s ED on responding to HIV and other blood-born diseases. A CRP on the implementation of all drug policy commitments has also been prepared, as well as a note from the secretariat on the pledge for action initiative. We are looking forward to hearing from member states on the implementation of the pledges. I want to give the floor to the Secretariat to the Governing Bodies.

Secretariat to the Governing Bodies. These thematic discussions have become an important platform for inclusive dialogue. Since their launch, these discussions have provided UN entities, States, and NGOs to have a space to discuss challenges, good practices, maintaining ongoing policy dialogue between CND sessions, allowing issues to be discussed in a timely and inclusive manner. These are important in the lead up to the 2029 review, through shared experiences and knowledge sharing, supporting more informed policy processes. Following the 2024 declaration, the CND agreed to a new work plan, allowing the thematic discussions could inform the 2029 review. We identified the increased links to organised crime, proceeds of crime, and money laundering, as well as growing criminal misuse of information in drug-related activities. However, the continuation of thematic discussions is subject to the availability of additional funding. For now, no additional budget has been secured for 2026-2028. We would require 180,000 annually to make this happen. We call on Member States to consider supporting this process. Here, we will also discuss the pledge for action. This has encouraged States to translate political commitments into concrete actions. This initiative continues to build momentum. We already have 35 member states having provided updates on their pledge for action. Delegations are invited to share updates on progress. Others are welcome to consider submitting a pledge.

Chair: Without contributions, this year’s thematic discussions will not take place. I ask Member States to make resources available.

UNODC trend and analysis branch: I will briefly introduce you on the global situation on drug use. We estimate that 316 million people used drugs in the past year, a 28% increase over 10 years. Drugs are mostly used by men, but increasingly by women, including sedatives and tranquilisers. Cannabis is the most used drug. It shares the health burden together with opioids. We see a diversification in what people are using, from plant-based drugs to ATS, synthetic opioids, semi-synthetic cannabinoids, ketamine, benzodiazepines, and other pharmaceutical drugs. Some of these are controlled; many are not. We also see an increasing diversification of the market, with the apparition of drug combinations that can contain any of these substances, leading to acute emergency episodes. As you know, adolescence is a critical time, when the brain is still under development, and yet, the level of use is similar to adults, if not higher. Out of this, 64 million people are suffering from drug-use disorders. One in 12 has access to treatment, with a much larger gap for women. We estimate that 14 million people inject drugs worldwide, 1 in 2 living with hep C, 1 in 8 living with HIV. Injectable drug use is a driver of the global hepatitis C epidemic. PWID are 14 times more likely to contract HIV than the general population. HIV and hepatitis C account for most of the burden of disease related to drug use. When we look at all drug-related deaths, cirrhosis and liver cancer are major causes of death.

UNODC: Since the adoption of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, the illicit drug market has expanded in speed and complexity. We have made progress, but many more challenges persist. Criminal networks adapt quickly. Plant-based and synthetic markets grow. Polydrug use is rising. Climate risks pose a global challenge. Challenges in one region can harm others. Stronger and more coordinated multilateral action is needed, supported by updated laws, stronger laboratories, and coordinated enforcement. UNODC can help translate science into action. We help Member States identify emerging threats and exchange critical information rapidly. Through our efforts, we guide sharper, more coordinated responses to synthetic drug threats. Our approach is family health-centred and people-focused. For people who use drugs and those with drug use disorders, we support treatment, harm reduction, rehabilitation, and long-term recovery support. Integrated services for HIV, hepatitis, overdose prevention, and care in communities and prisons, among others, are needed. For people in contact with the criminal justice system, alternatives to conviction and punishment can be supportive. Alternative development can be vital in building community resilience. Challenges are evolving, and our responses must also evolve with speed and determination, turning science into action. We must scale up health responses to reduce harm and deepen multilateral cooperation to deliver on our shared commitments.

UNODC: Report of the secretariat on the world drug situation with regard to trafficking. Cannabis is the most cultivated drug worldwide. Seizures declined between 2021 and 2022. Illicit poppy cultivation and production remained stable in 2022 and 2023 due to the Afghanistan poppy ban. Signs of shortages in consumer markets. Global illicit cultivation of coca bush and manufacture of cocaine have reached unprecedented levels. Related violence has increased in Africa and Europe. Meth and ATS continue to expand. Proliferation of nitazenes and nonmedicalñ use of tramadol, codeine and other pharmaceuticals for nonmedical use are concerns. Thematic chapter of 2025 World Drug Report was dedicated to the nexus of drug trafficking and organised crime to coincide with the adoption of the UN convention against transnational and organised crime. We have provided assistance on a range of issues: knowledge products like the drug control repository with resources from 190 countries. Addressing the links between firearms and trafficking. We supported an operation in West Africa. Technical assistance to disrupt criminal networks to disrupt networks. And technical assistance on organised crime along maritime routes. Leading to the seizure of tons of drugs.

European Union: It is an honour to speak on behalf of EU, member states, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and others align themselves with this statement. We reaffirm our commitment to the implementation of the UNGASS outcome document. We remain dedicated to address the WDP according to the drug conventions and other key international instruments, particularly on human rights. As we look ahead, in line with the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, we recognise the progress made but also persistent challenges. The EU reiterates its support for the pledge for action initiative in 2024, it is an important step forward for concrete actions to address the challenges from the 2019 ministerial declaration. In our new strategy, national preparedness is now a separate pillar, with an early warning system to identify NPS quickly. We have launched a European alert system, the EUDA is implementing health and security alert systems. The EU emphasises the importance of strong partnerships while promoting stakeholder collaborations, including with active participation of civil society. Recent data shows recent instability. Socio-economic vulnerabilities are growing, and more people are affected by drugs. International cooperation is essential. Health must remain at the core of our response. We reiterate the importance of multilateralism, shared responsibility, protecting health, human rights, dignity, and the rule of law in addressing the world drug situation.

Singapore: The global drug situation is persistent and evolving, requiring international cooperation. We are committed to do our part through capacity-building initiatives. Last time we organised prevention and rehab workshops, with practical exchanges grounded in evidence and measurable outcomes. We also rolled out SDCP, best practices on drug control strategies among various member states to keep countries safe from the harms of drugs. 105 officials have benefited from the training. We will focus now on scientific approaches to the drug threat. Beyond capacity building, we are committed to evidence-based policy making through the pledge for action initiative. As part of this commitment, we will sponsor a chapter in the 2026 WDR on drug use and public safety.

Japan: Japan remains firmly committed to addressing the WDR through comprehensive efforts. In 2024, we made several pledges focusing on 3 areas: 1- strengthening border management; 2- strengthening security and rule of law at sea; 3- strengthening health responses. Japan has translated these pledges into practical actions. Since the HLS, Japan has contributed funds to support these objectives. In this slide, you can see that efforts span multiple regions, on strengthening border management in South East Asia, and the border of Afghanistan and Ukraine, as well as the Pacific and Africa. Health responses in the Mekong region. We have expanded cooperation to Latin America, where, until recently, we had not implemented UNODC projects in this field. We focused on synthetic drugs and precursors in Mexico, Uruguay, and Ecuador. The project aims to strengthen international cooperation and address online drug trafficking and countering financial flows. We also focus on existing corridors. Alongside UNODC and Japanese coastal guards, we improved investigative capacities to counter drug trafficking. We are expanding our geographical scope and commitment to countering drug trafficking in the Western Hemisphere. We will continue working closely with UNODC to promote the rule of law and collective responses to the WD situation. 

South Africa: We are committed to the implementation of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, and our pledge for action on prevention, treatment, and rehab we have taken decisive steps for inclusive and sustainable responses. The provision of treatment is a fundamental right in South Africa. We have prioritised treatment as a key deliverable to be reported to Parliament. We have expanded access, affordability, and availability for underserved communities. To address relapse rates, we have capacitated therapists for support programmes, with skills to provide after-care services to ensure long-term sobriety. We ensure age-appropriate treatment, as well as grassroots implementation. We have empowered traditional leaders to lead on-demand reduction efforts, including resilience and prevention. Women face specific vulnerabilities. We prioritise gender-responsive approaches. We also address violence and social crimes. This strategy is coupled with screening tools for students. We have introduced a community outreach programme, taking services to the people directly. To conclude, these services show South Africa’s commitment to the 2019 Ministerial Declaration. Prevention, treatment, and rehab services are available and acceptable. We reaffirm our pledge to address substance abuse and safeguard the well-being of our citizens.

Kenya: Kenya is committed to the commitments which implementation ensures healthy and safe communities. In 2019, we committed to safeguarding the future, ensuring that no one is left behind. We have a legal policy framework aligned with the declaration and 3 drug conventions. Through national policy on prevention and management of drug and alcohol abuse, we have health and safety responses to drug use and harms. We have a framework to guide interventions, surveillance, and enforcement to provide holistic and comprehensive care. It is imperative to build capacity and expertise at national and international levels, with a focus on developing countries, including monitoring, information sharing and collaboration, development of forensics to analyse synthetic drugs, data collection, addressing money laundering, address the harms of synthetic drugs, including overdose. I appreciate the agenda on all commitments at the CND each year. We hope that these commitments are reviewed in 2029, and we will have attained significant results.

Netherlands: We align with the EU statement. The drug market is ever-evolving, and criminal organisations are evolving quickly, including digitally. We must innovate, but we must cooperate. We can then bridge the gap and strengthen our capabilities, ensuring that we keep up with technological change. Combatting crime is a national priority. Criminal networks exploit our economy, using sophisticated tools and eroding public trust. Our mission is clear: safeguard the integrity of our society and not allow organised crime to undermine the rule of law. This includes raising awareness and addressing the conditions allowing recruitment. We have launched a new campaign: Keep crime out of your neighbourhood. This has increased tips to combat crime. We have also rolled out efforts targeting youth. This is deployed via virtual reality with students to promote healthier social norms. In 2005, the new substances act has enabled us to address harmful NPS and other synthetic drugs. International cooperation remains at the heart of our approach. We will continue to work with partners in the EU and beyond to detect, disrupt, and dismantle international criminal networks. We will turn insights into concrete actions. We stand ready to share expertise and act collectively to protect our citizens and uphold the rule of law.

Canada: Since providing a pledge for action update, we have made investments to tackle the drug control situation. On demand, our emergency treatment fund has supported 110 projects, including Indigenous communities, to respond to the ongoing realities of the drug crisis. We have established the youth mental health fund, supporting community-based organisations and improving service navigation for youth. We have strengthened our national drug surveillance system, a new public tool to support early warning and timely public health and law enforcement approaches. We provide support tools for Canadian border enforcement against precursor chemicals. This includes investments to set up a Canadian research centre to track the emerging synthetic threats. We also invested in intelligence gathering on border control and money laundering. We have enhanced collaboration and data sharing. We have also made efforts towards fentanyl control. We will continue working closely with international partners, NGOs, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, and people with lived experiences.

Israel: Substance use is a public health issue requiring community-wide action. Municipal authorities are key partners to ensure continuity of care tailored to the needs of each community. Our pledge for action was to strengthen and integrate our public health approach and access to treatment. We have a dedicated data collection system. The Ministry of Welfare also focuses on long-term rehabilitation. We have a coordinated framework to provide patients with the most appropriate treatment pathways to meet people’s needs. 

Republic of Korea: The prosecutor’s office in Korea has focused on various areas of work. We hosted an anti-drugs meeting for international cooperation in 2024. This gathering brought together experts and international organisations. We focused on emerging drug trends and reaffirmed our commitment to dismantling drug networks and transnational drug crime. We use digital tools to be ahead of online drug markets. We introduced the e-drug monitoring system, blocking drug advertisements on the internet. We will continue to implement and expand our drug capabilities. Our drug actions and coordination are the most useful tools to counter the drug threat. We will support the implementation of our international commitments. We thank UNODC for their leadership and continued support.

Ghana: At the national level, we have strengthened our systems, including improved data collection aligned with the ARQ. This investment is reflected in our integrated data surveillance system to assess drug use patterns. This informs drug policy direction, resource allocation, and evidence. We continue to advance a health and rights-based approach, including our commitment to harm reduction services in national responses, alongside prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. At the regional level, we continue our collaboration with ECOWAS and AU, including surveillance and intelligence sharing, promoting community alternatives to illicit cultivation. This is a people-centred approach. We promote multisectoral cooperation, and we are committed to the 3 conventions. The multi-year work plan and engagement with UNODC to ensure coherence implementation of all commitments is a priority. We are fully committed to implementing the 2019 Ministerial Declaration.

Indonesia: We reaffirm our commitment to the full implementation of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration. This is not optional, but essential. At the national level, we advance a whole of government and whole of society approach – no one institution can address this challenge alone. Law enforcement, public health,m social services, civil society, academia, communities, and the private sector. There is an increasingly sophisticated network between drug trafficking and other forms of organised crime. They exploit vulnerabilities across borders and threaten peace, security, and development. Tackling these requires coordinated actions and efforts, but not be implemented in isolation, in full accordance with international law and the international drug control conventions. We collaborate with the UN system in strengthening prevention, law enforcement, rehab. The 2019 Ministerial Declaration is an international political commitment that should translate into tangible results for the health and well-being of our communities. 

China: We have strengthened drug prevention education and enhanced young people’s ability to recognise the dangers of drugs and preventing drug abuse among youth. Drug control education in schools. We have improved the drug rehab model, integrating physical detoxification, psychological recovery, and minimizing the harms of abuse to the largest extent. By the end of 2025, the number of registered drug users had decreased to 658,000. In Macao, Hongkong and elsewhere, we have done significant work to ensure treatment access and prevent use. Macao has implemented methadone treatment, resulting in a decline in the proportion of HIV infections from 60% in 2004. In terms of reducing supply, China has consistently maintained strong law enforcement efforts against drug crimes. In 2025, a total of 27,000 drug-related crime cases were solved. A year-on-year increase of 25% in drugs seized. We intensified maritime drug enforcement efforts and seized tons of drugs. Meanwhile, we continue to advance multilateral and bilateral drug control cooperation. We strengthen cooperation mechanisms with UNODC, INCB, SCO, and the MCO MoU. We pledge to increase contributions to UNODC for drug control. We will conduct drug testing workshops and upscale capacity building. Bilaterally, we host a China-EU dialogue, and we hosted the first China-US meeting on fentanyl cooperation. We held intelligence workshop meetings. We held bilateral meetings with Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, and others. Drug control cooperation to combat transnational drug crime continues. We uphold the principle of shared responsibility. We hope that all countries will jointly show their responsibility to address the challenge of synthetic drugs. We hope UNODC and CND will continue to provide Member States with technical assistance and combat drug crimes and money laundering. 

Zimbabwe: We established 14 rehab facilities, including public, private, and faith-based services, according to standards of care. We have additional rehab facilities as legacy projects. We now focus on strengthening infrastructure and standardised treatment protocols. In establishing a national drug and substance abuse structure, we are undergoing legal processes and are appointing a director general to manage foundational processes for the setting up of the agency. We committed to allocating 32 million. We also launched a national resources programme. We make progress in strengthening national drug abuse prevention programmes. We will continue collaboration with UNODC and the broader international community in addressing drug and substance abuse.

Argentina: We want to share with the room what we have done since our pledge two years ago. We established more than 200 centres of response to prevent drug use, and work together with provinces, municipal authorities, and NGOs. To see how our work helps people, we conducted a study to analyse how people access these centres. Our country is large, and needs differ across the territory. Our federal network has shown good results. Today, we can say that we have concrete achievements. More than 75% of families from vulnerable populations have access to centres from our federal network. We still have a lot of work to do, but we are happy to share how we are progressing. We will share the information in English and Spanish.

Thailand: Aligns itself with the statement delivered by our member state (???), committed to the implementation of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration and the 2024 High Level Declaration as the Commission advances towards 2029. Thailand reaffirms its conviction in those shared commitments, and concrete national progress across key priority areas. First, access to treatment. Thailand has integrated drug treatment services in our universal health coverage system, which has been in effect since 2002. This architecture enables over 260,000 persons who use drugs to access treatment annually, with approximately 60 percent entering treatment on a voluntary basis, reflecting our commitment to a person‑centered, rights‑respecting approach. Our community‑based rehabilitation network now operates across 82 percent of districts nationwide. Second, stimulant use disorders. Thailand recognizes that methamphetamine is the predominant drug of concern across Southeast Asia. Building on our co‑sponsorship of CND Resolution 68/2 with Norway, Thailand hosted the 2025 International Conference on Drug Policy on yaba, methamphetamine and synthetic drugs, bringing together policymakers, researchers, and civil society to advance the evidence base for treatment. Findings from this conference are being presented to this Commission as a conference room paper. Third, infectious disease comorbidities. Thailand has integrated HIV and hepatitis services within the drug treatment continuum, consistent with our public health obligations and the declarations’ call to reduce blood‑borne disease transmission among people who use drugs. Thailand urges the Commission to sustain strong momentum toward 2029, with action that is accelerated, evidence‑based, and grounded in human rights and public health.

Pakistan: The Islamic Republic of Pakistan appreciates the strong commitment of the international community in combating the world drug problem and acknowledges the sustained efforts towards this end. During the follow‑up of the Ministerial Declaration of 2019, we reaffirm our commitment to further scale up concerted endeavors for effective implementation of all international drug policy commitments, and lead with our partner countries and organizations in allegiance to fulfilling our international obligations. Pakistan has a policy of zero tolerance and has a strong stance against manifestations of all illicit drugs. Amidst pressing social, political, economic and security challenges, Pakistan has continued to prioritize counternarcotic efforts. In furtherance of this commitment, Pakistan has achieved multiple milestones in its fight against drugs, including enactment of laws, formulation of new policies, constitution of an inter‑agency task force on narcotics control to strengthen cooperation and coordination among national authorities and to reinforce the country’s legal and institutional framework to combat drugs; more robust and effective prosecution; augmented efforts in asset investigation; countering drug‑related money laundering; focused drug demand‑reduction campaigns, coupled with prevention of drug abuse in educational institutes; as well as achieving and maintaining our poppy‑free status since 2001. Through its strong partnership with the international community, Pakistan continues its endeavors in all areas of counter‑narcotics, including, but not limited to, drug supply and demand reduction, international cooperation, mutual assistance, treatment and rehabilitation, and access to controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes, with due consideration to the specific needs of vulnerable groups, particularly women and children. > Honorable delegates, Pakistan highly values its cooperation with international partners and sincerely acknowledges assistance provided by UNODC and other organizations. We believe in cumulative efforts for creating a robust and unified approach to tackle this problem at the international level. This objective is only possible through relentless and dedicated efforts and cooperation, converged on a single model of a drug‑free future. I once again reaffirm full support in all mutual efforts on all aspects of this issue. 

Hungary: Hungary fully aligns itself with the statement provided by the European Union. Please allow me to deliver a few comments on our national capacity. We welcome the reports presented under this agenda item. We believe that the reports provide a comprehensive and detailed picture of the global drug situation. The reports accurately showcase the expansion of the global drug market. Hungary has also noticed the new challenges outlined in them, primarily related to the rise of stimulants such as synthetic cathinones. The High‑Level Declaration adopted during the midterm review of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration sets out the objective that parties should take tangible and efficient measures, within their own capacities, to combat criminal organizations involved in illicit trafficking. The government of Hungary is committed to implementing this objective. Last year, a legislative package was adopted that tightened the sanctions for drug‑related crimes and expanded the criminal instruments, including investigative and asset‑recovery tools available in these cases. In parallel, we launched a comprehensive, coordinated and nationwide police operation against drug trafficking. The aim of both measures was to disrupt and dismantle drug‑trafficking networks and significantly reduce illicit drug supply. Finally, we would like to highlight one of the findings of the report on the world situation on drug abuse. The report states that synthetic cannabinoids derived from cannabidiol have begun to spread since 2020. This is particularly worrying, as cannabis remains the most widely used drug worldwide, and CBD is freely available in most countries. We consider that the biggest risk between the different national regulations. Although the Conventions regulate that the flowering and fruiting tops of all cannabis plants are scheduled as a narcotic drug, many countries have relaxed this approach, indirectly allowing the treatment of cannabis with synthetic agents, which poses a huge health risk to society via online trading. These aspects highlight the importance of maintaining the control requirements set out in the drug control conventions for the entire cannabis plant. 

United States of America: The world drug problem is evolving at an unprecedented rate. Fueled by new technologies and an increasingly interconnected global economy, seismic shifts in global drug trafficking are now measured in months, not years. This presents a major challenge to the international community, as the mechanisms that enable us to work together to combat these threats were designed in and for an era that no longer exists. While the Conventions and the system of global trade monitoring and diversion prevention that they established remain fundamental, the commitments we have made in the past two decades are straining under the weight of a problem that they are no longer fit to address. While drug traffickers develop new methods to make dangerous synthetic drugs, we here in Vienna note our concern about persistent and emerging challenges. We acknowledge, quote, “tangible progress” while our citizens are poisoned by profit‑hungry criminals, and we commit to accelerating the implementation of commitments we made in 2009 while our adversaries operate in 2026. The commitments we made seventeen years ago are not relevant to the drug problem that exists today. New challenges demand new commitments, innovative tools, and an unyielding resolve. Disrupting and deterring the illicit flow of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs and their precursors is a top priority for the Trump administration. The seriousness with which the United States takes the threat of fentanyl is demonstrated by the President Trump’s recent designation of illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. Together with the designations of several of the key organizations trafficking fentanyl as foreign terrorist organizations, the US government has expanded our authorities and legal tools to bring the entirety of our resources to bear to combat drug trafficking. The United States is fully committed to preventing traffickers from hijacking legal supply chains to ship illicit drugs and their precursor chemicals around the world quickly and cheaply. We do this by strengthening supply‑chain integrity across the illicit transportation ecosystem. Accountability throughout the supply chain, from the initial order through transit to final delivery, is fundamental to supply‑chain integrity. The United States will apply these supply‑chain‑integrity principles broadly across the counter‑narcotics environment by expanding tools such as trusted‑trade programs, which invite companies to implement stringent security measures in exchange for prioritized and expedited processing at ports of entry. Mutual recognition agreements between the United States and foreign customs administrations already link together various international industries. The United States is also exploring options for an enhanced enforcement posture that provide additional tools to the law‑enforcement community, including stringent export controls or a licensing framework that requires, for example, pre‑approval for the import or export of pill presses or pre‑precursor chemicals used for dangerous synthetic drugs. In closing, in support of this approach, the United States has tabled a resolution this year focusing specifically on strengthening supply‑chain security to prevent exploitation of global supply chains to traffic finished drugs and the precursors and equipment used to illicitly produce them. We look forward to hearing examples of successful supply‑chain‑integrity practices that can be promoted through this resolution. 

Nigeria: As we continue on the road to 2029, allow me to observe that while notable milestones have been achieved, considerable ground remains to be covered, particularly in light of the evolving challenges highlighted in the 2025 World Drug Report. In this regard, Nigeria commends the innovation of the Pledge4Action initiative, which seeks to mobilize the commitments of Member States towards concrete and measurable actions in addressing and countering the world drug problem. We believe this initiative will galvanize Member States to accelerate the implementation of international drug policy commitments as set forth in the 2019 Ministerial Declaration. As part of Nigeria’s efforts to realize the objectives contained in the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, my delegation recalls that during the general debate at the 2024 session, we pledged to initiate a comprehensive alternative‑development program. I am pleased to report that Nigeria has since established a dedicated Alternative Development Unit within the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The unit is tasked with designing and implementing programs aimed at providing sustainable, licit livelihoods for communities vulnerable to illicit cannabis cultivation. Through this initiative, cultivators are encouraged to transition from illicit cannabis production to viable and sustainable crops such as rice, cocoa, coffee and potatoes. Thirdly, Madam Chair, Nigeria also committed during the 2024 CND to establish and equip four additional state‑of‑the‑art forensic laboratories. I am also pleased to report that these laboratories have now been completed and equipped in the southern regions. These facilities complement the existing forensic laboratory in Lagos and are significantly strengthening our capacity for the timely forensic analysis of suspected controlled substances, thereby enhancing investigation and prosecution of drug‑related offenses. Nigeria has also strengthened relationships with African neighbors to counter the world drug problem. A series of MOUs have been developed and signed within the region, as well as with other identified transit and destination countries outside the region. At the same time, Nigeria continues to prioritize treatment, care and rehabilitation for persons who use drugs, while ensuring the availability, accessibility and affordability of controlled medicines for medical, scientific and research purposes, consistent with the international drug control conventions. 

United Kingdom: At the high‑level segment of the 67th CND, the United Kingdom pledged to work with global partners to build capacity in tackling drug supply, support innovation in addiction treatment, and to strengthen the evidence base for drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. Today, I am pleased to share the progress we have made in delivering on that commitment. The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency and other enforcement bodies continue to deliver international law‑enforcement and capacity‑building projects that disrupt the flow of illicit drugs. Strengthened collaboration with global partners, including INTERPOL, has improved intelligence‑sharing and operational coordination, enabling more effective targeting of organized crime groups. These efforts have helped dismantle supply chains and tackle the trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and drug precursor chemicals. At the same time, we have continued to develop our understanding of emerging and substantive drug threats. In our statement last year, we announced that we had commissioned our independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to review the use and harms of ketamine. In January, they published their independent report, providing an updated view on the harms associated with ketamine and a view on its classification. The United Kingdom Government is in the process of considering the report and its recommendations carefully. Since our pledge in 2024, we have also made good progress in relation to drug treatment and recovery. Individual Placement and Support is a nationwide, evidence‑based program of employment support in community drug and alcohol treatment services in England. Outcomes show that, of those who access the program, 51 % secure employment, including 44 %of people who use opioids. Younger adults also do particularly well, with 62 % of under‑25s finding paid employment. The majority of those starting work sustained their employment, with approximately 80 % sustaining work for at least 13 weeks. The program is helping more people to achieve sustained recovery and was the focus of our side event yesterday. We have also been supporting the expansion of lived‑experience‑led recovery organizations and increasing the involvement of people with lived experience in policy and service development. There are now lived‑experience‑led recovery organizations in half of the local authority areas in England, increasing the visibility of recovery and engaging more people in communities of recovery. We are supporting further expansion through capacity‑building projects led by people with lived experience, providing peer support and guidance. Our additional healthcare global program continues, and in February it launched a £20 million Catalysing Innovation Awards program. This will provide funding to fast‑track the development, approval and UK‑readiness of innovative pharmaceutical, med‑tech and digital technologies targeting drug and alcohol addiction healthcare challenges. .

Russian Federation (right of reply): Unfortunately, some delegations are trying to politicize the Commission’s work despite the damage it does to our counternarcotics dialogue. Since my country was targeted by these false insinuations, I will have to exercise the right of reply. Firstly, I would like to underline that the accusations against my country are absolutely baseless, as the Russian Federation does not target civilian objects regardless of the circumstances. In this sense, we are much different from the Ukrainian regime that just yesterday, on 10 March, carried out a heinous missile attack against the civilian population in the Russian city of ???. This terrorist strike was clearly pre‑planned to target civilian objects and to take away as many lives as possible. It killed six people and left forty‑two injured, including one child who was hospitalized and is fighting to survive the injuries. These terror tactics used by the Ukrainian authorities clearly demonstrate their barbaric nature. In any case, the questions relating to the conflict in Ukraine are beyond the mandate of the Commission. We believe it is not appropriate to spend our limited time on discussing this issue at a specialized forum such as the CND. Russia has already informed the UN leadership about the situation, and intends to raise this issue at the respective UN bodies in New York. I would like to express deep gratitude to those delegations that adhere to a constructive and depoliticized approach to the Commission’s activity and to international counternarcotics cooperation in general.

Secretary: I’m delivering this message on behalf of Ambassador Hovhannisyan, the Chair of the CND, and he wants to bring to the attention of delegations an important development with regard to the appointment of the second co‑chair of the expert panel established under CND resolution 68/6. As was announced, the appointment through secret ballot for the second co‑chair will happen tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the plenary. But today, the Secretariat was informed that Mrs Virginia from the United States of America has withdrawn her expression of interest to be considered for appointment as second co‑chair of the expert panel. The candidates remaining under consideration for appointment as the second co‑chair are, in alphabetical order by family name, Natalie Singapore, and Khaled of Morocco. Thank you very much for your attention.

Colombia: Colombia reaffirms its commitment to the full implementation of international drug policy commitments, in line with the 2019 Ministerial Declaration and the Commission’s road map. We value the intersessional meetings as essential spaces for sharing best practices, identifying emerging challenges, and strengthening international cooperation. We also consider that the 2024–2028 structure provides the necessary basis to prepare the substantive review in 2029. The challenges identified in 2019 persist: gaps in access to treatment, the transmission of consumption‑related diseases, risks associated with new psychoactive substances, and inequities in access to controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes. For this reason, an evidence‑based, balanced, and human‑rights‑centered approach remains essential to ensure public health, including prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and access to services without stigma. Finally, in the context of budgetary constraints and ongoing UN reforms, it is crucial to ensure the continued stability and adequate funding of international processes and of the pathway towards the 2029 review — political commitments adopted by consensus that must not be delayed or weakened. Colombia remains committed to contributing constructively to this process.

Ecuador: My delegation will present a summary on the progress in implementation of Ecuador’s commitments under the Pledge4Action. A more detailed version of these advances will be made available on the official website. Ecuador reports progress in implementation of its pledge to establish an analysis center dedicated to the control of scheduled substances and to strengthen monitoring of major drug‑trafficking routes. In 2025, the Laboratory for the Analysis and Research of Controlled Substances conducted 605 analyses, reinforcing institutional capacities for the preliminary identification of illicit substances and related chemicals. Progress has also been made in implementation of the Center for the Analysis and Research of Chemical Substances, developed with the support of the United States’ Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, which has reached a completion level of 25 percent. Detection capacities for new psychoactive substances, fentanyl and other emerging threats have also been strengthened. In addition, Ecuador continued implementing a comprehensive and sustainable alternative‑development strategy aimed at urban groups linked to drug use with a focus on adolescents, incorporating both citizen‑security and public‑health variables. The country also updated its national schedules of controlled substances in line with the decisions of the CND and adopted the National Mental Health Policy 2025–2030, aimed at strengthening prevention, treatment and social inclusion.

India: Substance‑use disorders continue to pose a significant public‑health challenge across the world, affecting millions of individuals, their families and communities. Today there is clear scientific evidence that these are chronic but treatable health conditions. Addressing them therefore requires accessible, evidence‑based medical care delivered within a comprehensive public‑health framework. Over the past few years, pharmacological therapies have demonstrated strong effectiveness in reducing mortality, improving health outcomes and supporting long‑term recovery. Integrating these treatments within broader health systems is essential to ensure continuity of care and equitable access for those who need it. At the same time, treatment must go beyond medications alone. Individuals living with substance use often face complex medical, psychological and social challenges. A comprehensive approach that combines medical care, psychological interventions, social support and rehabilitation services is therefore essential. Such an approach not only improves recovery outcomes, but also helps reduce stigma and supports reintegration into society. It is equally important that treatment services are available across a range of settings, including primary health‑care facilities, community programs and specialized inpatient treatment centers, so that individuals across the spectrum of substance‑use disorders can access treatment and care. It is equally important that treatment services are available across a range of settings, including primary health‑care facilities, community programs and specialized inpatient treatment centers, so that individuals across the spectrum of substance‑use disorders can access treatment and care. Innovative approaches are also being adopted to improve access and retention in treatment. For example, mobile methadone‑dispensing services have helped reach more individuals and strengthen engagement with opioid‑treatment programs. India remains committed to further expanding these services so that more individuals can benefit from evidence‑based treatment and care. In conclusion, strengthening treatment for substance‑use disorders is not only a high priority; it is also a critical component of effective drug policy and sustainable development. Thank you.

Peru: I wish to present to the 67th session of the CND the conference roompaper entitled Peru’s Countercyclical Strategy Against the Drug Trade , seeking to contribute conceptually and practically to our shared international efforts to address the world drug problem. The central premise of our CRP is that drug trafficking should be understood not only as a criminal activity, but as a dynamic transnational economy. Like any global industry, it operates through value chains, adapts to market pressures, diversifies risk, and constantly innovates in response to enforcement actions. Traditional responses, often fragmented and reactive, may disrupt specific nodes of this chain, but frequently lead to territorial displacement, operational adaptation or market reconfiguration, while leaving the profitability of the business largely intact. Recognizing this challenge, Peru proposes a countercyclical approach designed to address structural drivers that allow illicit markets to persist and expand. The CRP analyzes the drug‑trafficking model through its principal components — supply, production, distribution and commercialization — as well as enabling mechanisms such as corruption, social penetration and money‑laundering. Based on this analysis, it advocates for integrated and simultaneous interventions capable of disrupting the economic logic that sustains illicit drug markets. Peru shares this perspective from its practical experience. Through the leadership of the National Commission for Development and Life Without Drugs, our national strategy rests on three mutually reinforcing pillars: development, supply reduction, and prevention and treatment of drug use. Implemented together, these policies aim not only to reduce illicit cultivation and trafficking, but also to strengthen legal economies, promote social inclusion and human rights, and reduce vulnerability to criminal networks. Peru wishes to underscore the importance of an approach that balances law enforcement, development and human rights. Effective responses to the world drug problem require strong law enforcement to dismantle criminal organizations and illicit financial flows. At the same time, these efforts must be complemented by development‑oriented policies that provide viable economic alternatives to communities affected by illicit economies, particularly in rural and vulnerable areas. Equally important is ensuring that all drug‑control policies are implemented with full respect for human rights, the rule of law, and the dignity of individuals and communities. Only by integrating these three dimensions — security, development and human rights — can we build comprehensive and sustainable strategies capable of addressing both the causes and the consequences of the world drug problem. By presenting this CRP, Peru hopes to contribute to the ongoing reflections of this Commission on a more systemic, sustainable and evidence‑based response to the world drug problem. Peru invites the distinguished delegations to revise the presented CRP, uploaded in English and Spanish on the homepage of this CND session, and looks forward to continuing our cooperation and dialogue with Member States on this very important matter. 

Namíbia: Provide an update on the progress made in implementing its national pledge of 3.5 million dollars aimed at strengthening prevention and treatment responses to substance‑use disorders. This commitment reflects Namibia’s continued dedication to addressing the growing challenges associated with alcohol and drug use, while promoting evidence‑based prevention, treatment and recovery services in line with international drug control commitments. Through this pledge, Namibia has prioritized capacity‑building and community‑based prevention interventions. Currently, prevention programs have been successfully implemented in seven regions across the country. These initiatives focus on raising awareness, strengthening early‑prevention mechanisms, and equipping frontline professionals with practical skills to respond to substance‑use challenges within their communities. As part of this determination, approximately 172 professionals and stakeholders were trained in prevention and early‑intervention approaches. These participants include social workers, community health extension workers, medical doctors, psychologists, nurses and other service providers who play a critical role in supporting individuals and families affected by substance‑use disorders. In addition to prevention activities, Namibia has continued to strengthen access to treatment and rehabilitation services through supported interventions such as treatment programs for substance‑use disorders, with 76 individuals receiving treatment at inpatient substance‑use rehabilitation centers from January to December 2025. In the same vein, 48 were attended to in an outpatient treatment program, enabling clients to access structured care, counseling and recovery support. These achievements represent an important step in expanding Namibia’s national response to substance‑use disorders. They also demonstrate the value of sustained investment in both prevention and treatment services, which remain essential pillars of effective and balanced drug policy. While progress has been made, Namibia recognizes that continued collaboration and partnership remain essential. We therefore reaffirm our commitment to work closely with international partners, including the UNODC and Member States, to further strengthen evidence‑based prevention, treatment and recovery systems. In closing, Namibia remains committed to protecting the health, dignity and well‑being of its citizens through comprehensive and coordinated responses to substance‑use disorders. 

OHCHR: On behalf of the UN International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement .Established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2021, our mandate is clear: to examine systemic racism in law enforcement and the criminal justice system, and to support States in transforming these systems to uphold equality, dignity and human rights for all. I would like to recall that in the CND Ministerial Declaration of 2019, all States committed to respect, protect and promote all human rights, fundamental freedoms and the inherent dignity of all individuals in the development and implementation of drug policies. Across our consultations, reports and country visits in the past four years, we have consistently found that drug laws, policies and their enforcement play a central role in perpetuating systemic racism and disproportionately harming Africans and people of African descent. These impacts manifest at every stage, from policing to arrest, prosecution, sentencing, incarceration and post‑release opportunity. They also generate profound stigma, undermining access to health care, employment, education and broader social inclusion. Our findings are unequivocal: punitive drug policies have been more effective as systems of racial control than as tools to reduce drug markets. In many countries, disproportionate stop‑and‑search operations, racial profiling and militarized drug enforcement create a climate of fear and lack of safety, undermining trust in public institutions and routinely leading to unlawful use of force, sometimes resulting in loss of life. These practices not only violate international human rights norms and standards; they also fail to achieve public‑safety objectives, instead exacerbating inequalities in health, housing, education and employment. In many countries, the enforcement of drug policy leads to mass incarceration in which people of African descent are disproportionately affected despite comparable rates of drug use across different ethnic and racial groups. Our forthcoming report to the HRC and the GA will be the first human‑rights report dedicated to the issue of drugs and race. We will share findings about the scope, nature and human‑rights impacts of this problem. Evidence shows that, from the Americas to Europe and parts of Asia, governments continue to implement drug‑control measures that disproportionately impact racialized communities, often operating without adequate oversight, transparency or accountability mechanisms. We are also cognizant of human‑rights risks amplified by the use of technologies by law enforcement. For example, the use of artificial intelligence, predictive policing and pre‑trial assessments has embedded historical racial biases in technology systems, creating a dangerous feedback loop, with the harms of the past (of over‑policing) predetermining the future, affecting marginalized racial, ethnic and religious groups. Yet we also see hope. Around the world, States and communities are developing new approaches, from racial‑impact assessments and sentencing alternatives to detention, to protocols for adjudication with racial perspectives. These efforts demonstrate that change is not only possible, but already underway in different jurisdictions. We call on States to: end punitive approaches and adopt human‑rights‑centered policies; eliminate racial profiling; collect and publish data disaggregated by race or ethnic origin, and additionally by other factors such as sex, gender and age; ensure access to voluntary, evidence‑based treatment and harm‑reduction services; strengthen oversight, transparency and accountability mechanisms, including when AI is in use in law enforcement; and, finally, place racial justice and equality at the center of national drug strategies and international drug‑control operations. The future of drug policy cannot repeat the injustices of the past. It must be rooted in human rights, equality and non‑discrimination, in evidence and in the lived realities of the communities most affected. We stand ready to support all States in advancing this essential work. 

World Health Organization: The World Health Organization continues to advance the public health dimension of the world drug problem, focusing on: 1) prevention and management of drug use and drug‑use disorders; 2) access to controlled medicines and assessment of psychoactive substances for possible control; and 3) harm reduction and response to drug‑related infectious diseases. In the area of prevention and management of drug use and drug‑use disorders, WHO continues to monitor service capacity at country level and has made significant progress with the development of updated guidelines for the treatment of opioid dependence and management of opioid overdose, and published new implementation guidance on mitigating disruption of services for treatment of opioid dependence in times of crisis. WHO continues collaboration with UNODC in the framework of the UNODC–WHO Programme on Drug Dependence Treatment and Care, works with UNODC and the EUDA on the “Scale‑up” initiative on improving treatment of human stim dependence. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, WHO is implementing a flagship initiative on accelerating public‑health actions on substance use. WHO also continues to scientifically assess substances to be considered for international drug‑control measures, and in 2025 launched its guidance on balanced national policies for access and safe use of controlled medicines. Harm reduction remains a critical and evidence‑based pillar of the public‑health response to drug use. These interventions save lives, reduce transmission of HIV and viral hepatitis, and connect people who use drugs to health and social services. WHO continues to prioritize three key interventions: needle‑and‑syringe programmes; opioid agonist maintenance therapy for the treatment of opioid dependence; and community distribution of naloxone to prevent overdose mortality. In 2026, WHO launched a practical tool to support countries in developing and scaling up needle‑and‑syringe programmes. WHO recognizes that the impact of public‑health action on drug use can be limited by structural barriers, including stigma, discrimination, legal and policy constraints, and gaps in service and medication accessibility. Addressing these barriers is essential to ensure equitable access to effective health services for people who use drugs and are in need of essential medicines. The Organization will continue to work to advance a public‑health approach in drug policies to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the most vulnerable. 

INTERPOL: Remains committed to supporting its 196 Member States in advancing the implementation of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration to address the world drug problem. This commitment includes providing operational support, capacity‑building and intelligence analysis. 1) INTERPOL deployments of operational support teams led to enhanced investigative and judicial support in major drug‑trafficking cases worldwide. This includes assistance to The Gambia in May 2025 following the seizure of large amounts of MDMA linked to air trafficking, and support to the Republic of Korea in July 2025 after the interception of 1.7 tons of cocaine aboard a cargo vessel from South America. INTERPOL also provided technical assistance to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Peru with the forensic extraction of data from mobile devices seized from a drug‑trafficking criminal organization. 2) in 2025 INTERPOL has continued capacity‑building for its Member States. For example, under Project ???? III, funded by the EU, INTERPOL, with support from UNODC, concluded a series of training sessions aimed at identifying and confiscating criminal assets from drug networks in Benin. Additionally, in 2025 INTERPOL conducted specialized training in Mozambique and Angola focusing on harbor security and narcotics. The training enhanced the ability of maritime personnel to detect narcotics, utilize open‑source intelligence and manage informants. 3) in 2025 INTERPOL also issued a series of notices and intelligence reports, including 45 notices on criminal methodologies and three operational intelligence reports on emerging threats. These intelligence products enable law enforcement to stay ahead of new trends and adapt their strategies accordingly. To conclude, INTERPOL’s global network, access to criminal data and secure communication platforms ensure that the collective efforts outlined in the 2019 Ministerial Declaration are met, creating a safer and more secure world for all.

Chair: We have finished for today.  Tomorrow at 10 we will start the meeting with the secret ballot for the election of the 2nd co‑chair of the panel of experts. The speakers that are still on the list will speak tomorrow as well.