Home » Side event: Drug trafficking and use in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) 20 years of partnership

Side event: Drug trafficking and use in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) 20 years of partnership

Mr. Wei Xiajun.  Deputy secy. General.  China National Narcotics commission.   Improved legislation, rules and regulations.  Improved mutual understanding on drug control politics.  Approaching a common goal in subregional action plan.

Nay Pyi Taw Declaration.  Continuous commitment for the partnership.  Reaffirms our unwavering determination and commitment to overcoming the drug problem.  Many challenges.  Opium cultivation in SE Asia.  Resurgence in Golden Triangle in Last eight years. 2006-2013.  2.7x increase.  Driven by high demand for heroin in this region and outside.  Substantial seizures reported from GMS MS.  Compared to rest of E/SE Asian countries.  Typical seizure slide.  More worrisome change is that some of our countries have been seizing afghan heroin.  7 fold increase in seizures.  22 million seizures in 2012 compared to 30 million in 2008.

Crystal meth seizures in GMS and comparison with other countries .  70% on average.  Also increased considerably.  8 metric tons in 2012 compared to 5.6 tons in 2008.  Major meth seizures reported in GMS countries.  1.2 million meth pills seized.  Three Thai nationals arrested.  Tip of the iceberg given size of meth demand in this region.

Slide shows meth precursor seizures.  7 metric tons of meth cutting agent one day in October.
Infiltration from other region.  Arrest of three Iranians operating meth lab in Thailand.  Siezed 20 kg of crystal meth.

Way forward.  Millions of people impacted.  Must work better together.  Coordinated responses.  Sub-regional action plan 2014-2016.  Five priority areas.
Law enforcement cooperation
International cooperation on judicial matters
Drug demand reduction
HIV services
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Linkages between UNODC regional program from SEA and the subregional action plan.

Conclusion.  GMS MOU MS and UNODC have created a solid mechanism to confront drug challenges in GMS region.
However, still more to do as challenges are dynamic remain significant compared to other countries in global and or E/SE Asia
Needs more technical assistance and financial contributions.

Jeremy Douglas.  UNODC Regional Program and linkages to subregional action plan.  Common aims and objectives with member states.  When we were designing the regional program did a period of reflection with MS and looked over successes to be built on as well as what more needed to be done.  Coordination and work between us crucial.  Ownership and sustainability for outcomes.  Improve visibility and impact of support of UNODC in region.  MOU priorities in five broad areas
1)   Law enforcement coop
2)   Judicial cooperation
3)   Drug demand reduction
4)   Drugs and HIV
5)   Sustainable Alternative Development

Correlation of our work with work of the state (complex slide of matrix).  Taken the priority of the states and embed in our program.  Clear logical link between what we do in UNODC and subregional action plan.  Have one regional linked outcome.  Support and implement activities of states in MSR Action Plan.
Six donors to UNODC.  China has contributed a lot.  All sitting at the table.  Will be seeking additional support from international community.

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