<Technical issues>

Mexico: (…) in recent days, we have seen how a number of delegations have sought to influence the Secretariat and to censor documentation, frankly, violating article 100 of the UN charter. Which should we fail to recall is not only an international treaty, but rather it is ´the´ international treaty that depends on the United Nations conventions including those pertaining to drugs. Moreover, in recent days, we have also noted that there does not appear to be any readiness to engage in exchanges with the components of the United Nations system such as the Human Rights Council, which we recall following the reform of this commission comes under the direct aegis of the General Assembly following the reform of the ECOSOC, which means it has been promoted in the hierarchical ranking in the system. There are therefore several individuals or delegations who appear to object to engaging in dialogue with the United Nations and with the body itself. Moreover, we had an exchange yesterday where a number of delegations sought to reinterpret the mandate the very nature and functions or duties of the commission seeking to turn it into a title tribunal where this and other delegations were restricted from specifically and only criticizing delegations, perhaps in order to justify their own practices in denial of realities on the ground. Let us recall, madam chair that diplomatic discussions held October was an occasion where my delegation was referred to specifically and we were asked whether there would be any difficulty with raising this matter. Our answer, of course at the time was No. Now however, it appears that we are in this commission to engage in a frank open and transparent exchange this is a dialogue which we have always sustained with the Office of UNODC with the INCB and with those delegations who stand ready to engage in frank, open and transparent and respectful dialogue, not with those delegations, who are seeking to finger point at our delegations, in order to mask their own violations and to disregard their own realities, and perhaps once again, in an attempt to justify their own practices. This is something that we must address. This is not what the Commission was established for. And this is not something that we can not approve.

Chair: I was listening to you through the English translation – I understand you are not ready to adopt the agenda?

Mexico: We have no problem adopting the resolution, but our issue is about MS violating the charter and not willing to have a proper dialogue. Our problem is that some delegations are not willing to have a transparent, open, frank dialogue with other UN entities, particularly the Human Rights Council. And my problem is one delegation yesterday pretending to reinterpret to accommodate to their own wills and political gain, the real function, mandate and essence of the commission, a practice that my delegation will not condone and will not get involved with. Recall that in our intervention during the thematic session, our country was named by Angela Me, and she asked if it was a problem for us to be named publicly in a session of the Commission. And you will recall that our answer was no, we come here to address our realities in a transparent and open manner. And that’s the type of relationship that we’re planning to continue to have with the UNODC with the INCB, and with those states, which are willing to do the same, addressing our own reality, cooperating together to address the challenges brought to us by drugs and drug traffickers. We are not willing to engage in any type of exchanges to those allegations, which are using this commission in order to accuse our country in order to distract attention from their own realities or in order to try to justify their own practices. That is something that we will not condone, we will not tolerate, and we will not engage with. Thank you very much.

Chair: Thank you very much for the clarification, in this case we proceed to agenda item 5.

UNODC Laboratory and Scientific Service: In 2020, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime published global synthetic drug assessment. That report highlighted the immense challenge that synthetic drugs continue to pose to the international community in the last decade. The number of new psychoactive substances reported globally has risen from 254 substances in 2018 to over 1100 unique substances reported by 133 countries and territories up to now. On average, we have seen about 80 new substances appearing on the market every single year – unfortunately, a number of these substances have been associated with failure and adverse health events. There are some issues of particular concern. Firstly, the increase in non-medical use of Tramadol in parts of Africa and the Middle East. Secondly, the emergence of new psychoactive substances with opioid effects. In fact, 103 substances in this category have been identified over the past decade have weakened 70 analogs of fentanyl. Clearly, they are increasing reports of the use of sedatives while driving in Europe and America is one long standing concern … The science informed multilateral process has provided the evidence needed for effective policy directions, which have been informed by recommendations from the World Health Organization and the International Narcotics Control Board and have resulted in some of the deadliest synthetic drugs ever known to humankind being taken off the market. But organized crime and traffickers are employing alternative measures, including using new alternative precursors. The 2021 world drug report indicates that while seizures of known precursors have dwindled, features of methamphetamine itself continue to rise indicating the likely use of alternative precursors in the manufacturing process. There is a need for protecting human health and development, for scientifically informed multilateral deliberations under the conditions to prioritize the most harmful substances and their precursors for international action. We also need to promote the coherence of the science of synthetic drugs, to ensure effective and efficient implementation. The commission has placed 68 of the most harmful substances and seven precursors under international control. The United Nations toolkit on synthetic drugs now provides a one stop shop of relevant resources, contains best practice guidelines and videos and even an option to speak directly to an expert. These innovative two is now available in five languages and the intention is to cover all the six languages by the time of the CND next year. We invite countries to make use of this unique resource well in implementation of the commission´s decisions. Thank you.

WHO – Summary of assessments, findings and recommendations of the 44th ECDD, 11-15 October 2021:
To be added to Schedule I of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961):
➢ Brorphine
➢ Metonitazene
To be added to Schedule II of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971):
➢ Eutylone (3,4-methylenedioxy-alpha-ethylamino butiophenone)
To be kept under surveillance:
➢ 4F-MDMB-BICA (4F-MDMB-BUTICA)
➢ Benzylone (3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-benzylcathinone)
➢ Kratom, mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine
➢ Phenibut (4-amino-3-phenyl-butyric acid)

Turkey: We are fully committed to the three international drug control conventions; they are of utmost importance. We allocate significant national resources to combat drugs and have several competent authorities to execute policy decisions. Cannabis remains is a major concern and we think the normalization of drug abuse has an adverse effect on public health. It is also a contributor to the financing of criminal groups, the controlling of which is of utmost importance to Turkey. The securing of cannabis access to medical purposes is still in progress. 2020 was a difficult year, the pandemic had severe effects on the world drug problem – drug use disorders are on the rise, and we are concerned about the increased use of NPS and drugs-related crime. To conclude, it is not the right time to discuss the interpretation of conventions, but to work towards their ultimate goals. We support effective implementation of the drug control treaties.

Singapore: The world drug problem remains a serious concern even during this pandemic, families and communities continue to be adversely affected by drug abuse and drug related crime. Member States and the international community must work together to counter the problem and promote a society free from the scourge of drugs so that everyone can stay healthy and join equality of opportunity and experience a good quality of life. We recognize that there’s no one size fits all approach to tackling the problems as each country faces are unique and complex situation and every country must determine the most appropriate interventions which best serve them. Abuse imposes heavy costs to the abuser, his family and the community. For this reason, Singapore invests heavily in preventive medication, treatment, and rehabilitation and reintegration of  abusers where they can regain their health. Our policies are reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that they remain relevant and effective. As a result of our holistic drug control approach, Singapore has managed to keep the local situation under control, despite our proximity to the major drug manufacturing regions. Importantly, Singapore recognizes the importance of international and regional cooperation to counter the world’s problems. For this reason, we have previously collaborated with the UNODC to conduct joint training programs on various related topics and we have continued to find opportunities to make positive contributions. The three international conventions that together form the legal framework for global control. In this regard, we reaffirm the importance of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the principal policymaking body of the United Nations. We express our support and appreciation of the Commission’s part in supervising the application of international drug control and guarding members efforts to counter the problem. Singapore is committed to the full and effective implementation of the three international convention. Singapore is committed to deepening and enhancing our contribution not only re capacity building and technical assistance, but also in policy discussion and sharing a multidisciplinary and evidence informed approach to drug control. We look forward to the opportunity to participate more actively in the good work of CND. Thank you

Malta: We fully align ourselves with the statement of the EU but would like to make some further remarks in our country capacity on the Implementation of commitments especially during the global pandemic. We have seen that marginalizing vulnerable members of society even further does not lead to desirable outcomes, people who use drugs have been treated as lesser members of society and this reality is worrying – a human rights approach to drug policy is needed now more than ever, upholding the dignity of the individual should be among our priorities while upholding our commitments to the international treaties. Prison sentences increase stigmatization and the punishment approach indirect discrimination, it pushes PWUD to a criminal networks. So, in Malta, we introduced the treatment not prison approach and have reached better results than any other policy strategy has in the country. The purpose of our discussions here is the exchange of best practices and collaboration – so the adaption of our judicial system from punishment to care and treatment while focusing our efforts on coming down heavily on traffickers and organized criminal networks has been the key to success in Malta, a health-centered perspective. Thank you.

China: We reiterate our commitment to the three international drug control conventions which we believe constitutes the cornerstone of anti-drug efforts of all countries. At the present, the global drug situation is worsening, traditional drugs such as heroin and cocaine continue to spread and synthetic drugs, including new psychoactive substances, are increasing in type and quality and their consumption and marketing in large. Countries have been highly concerned about the international and domestic manufacture of synthetic drugs so we have been stepping up related efforts through monitoring, scheduling, law enforcement and international cooperation by adopting multiple measures. China has scheduled 188 new substances, in line with the principle of common and share responsibility, and (…) fentanyl which was rarely abused in China in 2019. In 2021 China adjusted their controlling of chemicals, scheduled six chemicals including in September this year as a way to prevent their diversion into illegal channels. The Chinese government appreciates the efforts of INCB and WHO in strengthening the monitoring, assessment and scheduling of substances and helps us conduct assessment in a scientific, objective, fair and impartial manner. I believe that the synthetic drug strategy 2021 to 2025, recently launched by UNODC is very significant in setting up response to the challenges of synthetic drugs from the angles of international cooperation, early warning, promoting public health responses and enhancing the capacity of anti-drug efforts. China always supported and actively participated in the International anti-drug efforts advocated by the INCB and UNODC. Every year we send staff to participate in projects and have also donated $50,000, earmarked for research on global trends in the abuse and manufacture of psychoactive substances. We expect the ICB will play a more active role within this mandate. Thank you.

USA:. The United States welcomes the opportunity to join this end reconvened session. We wish to reiterate our firm commitment to the three UN drug conventions of the cornerstone of international drug control policy, that guide our work to address encounter the world drug problem. The three drug treaties offer a framework that enables the international community to confront the drug threats of today, while offering the requisite flexibility to address tomorrow’s threats as well. Right now, the form of drug control threats we face are those stemming from the misuse of synthetic drugs. These drugs are killing people all around the world. In my country, we are facing a crisis of illicitly manufactured fentanyl but elsewhere, the threat may be methamphetamine or illicitly manufactured Tramadol. With synthetic drugs, it is easier for traffickers to evade law enforcement, making it challenging to predict tomorrow’s threats. What we do know however, is that the framework contained within the drug treaties is adaptable and flexible and positioned for the challenges ahead as long as we stay committed to their implementation. One of the most valuable tools offered to us by the treaties is the International scheduling process, which is critical to halting the proliferation of synthetic drugs in this regard, the United States welcomes the World Health Organization’s presentation on its expert committee on drug dependence 44th session, and we take careful note of the scheduling recommendations for consideration at the end section. I would also like to highlight a separate scheduling request, followed by my delegation to help the international community with synthetic drugs threats. Domestically, provisional data predict over 100,000 overdose deaths for the 12 month period from May 2020 to April 2021 with the majority involving synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and fentanyl analogs – small and other opioids are also increasingly involved in overdose deaths in combination with other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Despite a successful effort by this end in 2017 to internationally control two of the most prevalent fentanyl precursors, clandestine fentanyl manufacturers sought out strategies to evade new regulations or adjusted methods of synthesis to utilize non controlled precursor chemicals. Reducing the availability is one of our top drug control and public health priorities. Therefore, improving international control over the precursor chemicals used to illicitly manufactured fentanyl and fentanyl analogues is paramount against this backdrop. On October 4, the United States officially requested the UN Secretary General to initiate the process to internationally control three prevalent fentanyl precursor chemicals for international control under the 1988 convention. And as part of this process, UNODC circulated to state parties technical questionnaires on new substances, requesting that they be completed and returned by December 31. We urge every state party to complete these questionnaires by this deadline to ensure the INCB have sufficient information to make the recommendation that can be acted on next March. The United States places great value in the treaty mandated role of INCB to collect important drug data and support countries in their implementation of the conventions. Thank you Madam Chair and we look forward to resuming this important discussion and next year´s CND regular session.

Colombia: Compliance with the international drug control obligations is fundamental given our country’s tireless commitment to ensure a comprehensive addressing of the global drugs problem – Our national experience has shown that, given the complexity of this issue, it can only be addressed based on the revitalization of the principle of common and shared responsibility, as well as with cooperation among countries, both regionally and globally. It is through this cooperation we should tackle challenges such as the proliferation of new psychoactive substances, synthetic drugs, which have continued to gain ground in the drug market. We are of the view that the inclusion of the substances on the agenda should always take into account the specific features, for instance related patterns of use and production and therefore we invite members of the international community to shoulder their equally specific responsibilities in order to address these contemporary threats and in order to mitigate the impact that these new drugs can have, through timely detection, risk evaluation and through the provision of reliable information for authorities related to the theory and to the general community, Columbia has established an early warning system, which is coordinated by the Colombian Drug Observatory, and in 2020 alone, the early warning system detected the appearance of 43 new psychoactive substances in our national territory amongst which stimulants of the central nervous system were identified such as phenethylamines and synthetic cathinones. It’s quite clear that one of the major challenges connected to the proliferation of these substances concerns the next generation of further understanding of this problem as well as the need to further strengthen the legal response, and to be able to control and prosecute related cases. Accordingly, Columbia organized the international forum on synthetic drugs held under the aegis of the OAS (?) Inter American Drug Abuse Control Commission, in order to provide a forum for consideration, to address these substances in our hemisphere, to address the harm that they caused to users and the criminal industry. To tackle the challenges posed by new psychoactive substances requires states to support the work of this commission, INCB as well as of the WHO expert committee on drug dependence for the evaluation and inclusion of such substances on the schedules of international drug control conventions. On this latter point, Colombia has provided a timely response to the requests that have been submitted, providing information related to the use and appearance of those substances that have been proposed for inclusion on these international legal schedules. Our authorities are awaiting the corresponding reports issued by the WHO, and looking forward to the decisions to be adopted, related to the controls to be applied. Thank you very much.

Brazil: The World Drug Report of this year has confirmed that the problem of drugs is increasing. The seizure of drugs, particularly of cocaine, has grown significantly. The covid pandemic affected us negatively. At the domestic level, we have made concerted efforts to reduce supply and demand. We understand it is essential to dismantle criminal chains in Latin America. In 2020 alone, we seized thousands of items from these networks – stones, aircrafts, etc. – that have been donated to the national anti-drugs institutions to support the fight against drugs. We need integrated human rights-based approach in compliance with national legislation and international norms (…) Thank you.

Thailand: Thailand has taken a major step of National Drug Control reform by issuing the narcotics code, combining 24 and 40 related legislation into one single code of law taken into effect yesterday to be more in line with the UNGASS 2016 outcome document. It adopts the health-based approach by promoting the voluntary treatment program and community based treatment over compulsory treatment measures. It focuses more on the human rights based interventions by applying the alternative concepts, particularly the reduction in penalties with the precautionary punishment. In terms of prosecution, we focus on following the money trail by adopting the new concept of value-based confiscation to tackle the world drug problem. Thailand encourages member states to support the UNODC global program and make full use of its reports and documentation.

Russia: The Russian Federation adheres to the effective implementation of all three drug control conventions. My statement will focus on subparagraph A, regarding changes in the scope of Substance Control. The social isolation of the population during the pandemic has brought about a sharp increase in drug consumption worldwide. To satisfy the rapidly growing demand, drug traffickers have expanded the range of synthetic drugs and these are something that continue to be very much in demand. The UNODC´s warning advisory on new psychoactive substances has been applied to the electronic platform for information exchange under the auspices of the INCB. These platforms facilitate efforts to track in a timely manner, the emergence of new dangerous substances. We really value the work of the UNODC as well as the launch of the new synthetic strategy. At the same time, we think it’s important to take a balanced approach to introducing additional international control measures regarding in particular medication (…) We are grateful to the experts for their advice and for fully factoring in the importance of ensuring accessibility for patients. We stand ready to cooperate with it countries. Thank you.

Sri Lanka: We are highly concerned about the world drug problem, emerging trends and the spiraling growth of nonmedical use of drugs as well as drug trafficking leveraging sophisticated technological advances. This is an unprecedented challenge. We are fully committed to our international obligations and affirm our political will and determination to control drug abuse – a national plan has been revised to combat organized crime, money laundering, corruption, human trafficking and drug related crimes. (…) minor offences to rehabilitation and community support, employ technologically innovative approaches to focus on demand reduction. We support INCB, UNODC, CND as leading entities to create a world free from drug abuse and create happy families. Thank you.

Algeria: Algeria underscores the major and very central role of the CND and the three international drug control treaties. They constitute our national reference for efforts to counter drugs in particularly in our geographical position – this means that we constitute a transit corridor, particularly for hemp and other psychotropic substances. Madam Chairperson, we are determined to countering the transnational organized crime including the trafficking of narcotic drugs and new psychotropic substances. This has managed to garner a support internationally. In addition to our national strategy, which was focused over the five year period up until 2024,  we adapt as much as possible to our national context, the provision of treatment for drug users improving law enforcement and working on confiscation. Under the COVID 19 pandemic, we continue our efforts with intensification both at the national level and international levels. Unfortunately, we witnessed an increase in domestic violence and increased use of various new synthetic drugs. This has affected also the number of programs implemented due to limitations imposed by the pandemic. Due to limitations imposed by a pandemic, we were forced to reschedule and postpone or even cancel actions at the national level. We fought to launch and implement raising awareness campaigns through various media. Madam Chairperson, trafficking continued in 2020, however law enforcement efforts continued unabated to a large number of seizures, be it hemp, cocaine, hash, heroin or opium poppy in addition to a large number of NPS. Thank you.

Indonesia: With regard to our efforts in implementing international drug control treaties, Indonesia has adopted a holistic approach in addressing our drug problems, and I would like to highlight a few of them. First on law enforcement. We have actively conducted rates in drug seizures, including on clandestine drug labs. We also see psychotropic substances mostly in tablet form. Second on NPS control, we are currently discussing the classification of several substances or NPS based on recommendation from the INCB and WHO. Indonesian committee for changes in narcotic certification (?) is now considering which compounds should be controlled, based on suggestions of the 1988 Convention, notably derivatives of fentanyl, amphetamine and methamphetamine. Indonesia is assured that it will continue to implement international regulation and work with the international community to address the word drug problem to enhance our commitment on this issue. We are currently pursuing our candidacy as a member of CND for the year 2024-2027. It is our hope that we can count on your support. Thank you.

Peru: A few months before the new government assumed its duties in Peru, we wish to reaffirm a our commitment to continuing and stepping up our efforts in addressing the global drugs problem based on the principle of common and shared responsibility, with strict compliance with human rights. Our national drug policy is geared towards reducing the production and trading cocaine and reducing the problematic drug use in close coordination with the objectives set forth in our declaration on political cooperation geared towards attaining a solution to tackle the world’s problem and to the implementation of the operational recommendation is issued in the outcome document of the UNGASS, which were set forth also in the 2019 ministerial declaration. Recalling tangible progress that has been made at the same time noting however, the dynamic of illicit drugs market has diversified regarding cultivation, production, transit and use. We are aware of the deep impact that COVID-19 has had on the development of the drug crime, the use of maritime trade the use of container shipping and the difficulties are police agencies, prosecution and judiciary face and tackling this problem. Many of our police officers were affected by the COVID 19 pandemic. We also see drug trafficking has extensive links throughout our territory, which has had an impact on the indigenous peoples living in the Amazon region, and which has equally affected the environment. Our approach is based on the belief that the only way to irreversibly tackle drug trafficking is through early detection and confiscation of the assets and goods which are the illicit possession of these complex, transnational criminal organizations engaged in cocaine trafficking. Therefore, we have the goal of strengthening our criminal police efforts to trace, identify and freeze criminal proceeds. We are well aware that meeting our obligations under reducing supply hinges on two conditions. First of all, the needs to be able to contain and reduce international demand chiefly from North America and from Europe. And then secondly, through the substantial increase of technical cooperation activities, both commercial and financial in order to improve the conditions for the international trade of alternatives to coca, such as cocoa and coffee, in keeping with the principle of common and shared responsibilities. In the same vein, our efforts are seeking to alter the economic patterns operating that region, closing economic divide by focusing on comprehensive and sustainable development as part of our national counter drug policies adopted in 2020. These measures, of course, require a solid multilateral commitment to reduce drug use and drug prevalence worldwide. Thank you very much.

Chair: Please keep your interventions to a maximum of 3 minutes.

Morocco: The word problem is more than a challenge; it is a global threat to the health and well-being of our citizens and the stability and the future of our societies and countries. It requires sustained effort and strong determination to defeat and thus requires effective and genuine commitment and engagement – in this respect requires consultation, coordination, and cooperation at the international, regional and national level. Morocco deployed firm and sustained efforts to implement its comprehensive and balanced drug control strategy based on reduction of supply and demand and on prevention and on access to drugs. These efforts have been affected by the constraints resulting from the COVID pandemic and Moroccan services continue to abort several drug trafficking operations. Just over the last three years more than 843 tons of cannabis resin, 48,000,005 457 and 548 units of psychotropic substances, 2,212,654 units of ecstasy and more than 3000 cocaine and around 820 kilograms of heroin seized presets that are crucial to secure concrete results in the fight against this global scourge and without which our endeavors would not be meaningful. Madam Chair, I would like to recall that the world drug problem requires the intensification of efforts and effective international cooperation. Thank you Madam Chair.

NGO / Turkish Green Crescent Society: Our priority area is to struggle against tobacco, alcohol and drug addictions that devastate the physical and mental health of the youth and the public in general. We do these by conducting preventive as well as rehabilitating public health work and advocacy based on scientific evidence with a global vision. We believe that in order to achieve SDGs set forth in UN declarations, public health should be an indispensable priority for all. In this regard, we are well aware that drug misuse, abuse and addiction in general are of the main causes of suffering with individual, community, as well as transnational-levels of impacts; and that there especially is a sharp rise in illicit drug use worldwide. This constitutes a global drug problem, which is exacerbated with the onset of COVID-19 pandemic and the different needs that have emerged following the COVID19 pandemic. Furthermore, we know through the UNODC World Drug Report 2020’s and the World Drug Report 2018 “Drugs and Age: Drugs and associated issues among young people and older people” findings that cannabis use constitutes a major part of the world drug problem, especially among youth. As such, according to said reports; cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines and “ecstasy” are the drugs that the youth between the ages of 15-24 in EU countries, Norway and Turkey use the most widely. In addition, among these substances, the substance that is the most widely used is cannabis with approximately 188 million people using it worldwide. The CND Decision to reschedule cannabis which was voted and decided on, in December 2020 CND 63rd Reconvened Session therefore was of great importance for the prevention agenda of TGCS. We know that the results of the voting to reschedule cannabis and its related substances, in other words; to remove it from Schedule 4 under 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs has been evaluated on different grounds for public authorities. As TGCS, we were deeply concerned of the false information and misperception that could be created with the adoption of the relevant recommendation; especially on children and young people. We regret to see that our concerns did indeed materialize as after the adoption of said-recommendation, some local, national and even international press and media organs deliberately (or not) proceeded to produce news stories that would make cannabis and its related substances seem as if they were not dangerous substances. This false perception created through disinformation were observed to sometimes go as far as saying the UN has removed cannabis from its dangerous substances list. We are deeply concerned as we are well aware that the decision taken by the CND members were not related in any way with the recreational use of cannabis, and yet that such disinformation that is being disseminated on a systematic way is likely to cause a wave of legalization around the world. This, evidently risks creating irreversible public health damages that need to be addressed urgently. We would therefore like to call all CND members to take into consideration the possible effects of short and long-run implications of such social implications through a public health lens and to take their decisions regarding cannabis and other controlled substances accordingly. Thank you very much.

NGO / IAHPC: The International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC) welcomes this opportunity to participate in the reconvened session and draws the attention of delegations to the ongoing crisis in access to medicines controlled under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and the Convention on Psychotropics. We thank the INCB, WHO, and UNODC for the Joint Statement calling on governments to facilitate access to medicines containing controlled substances in emergency settings, including during pandemics and the increasing number of climate-related disasters on Access to Controlled Medicines, published in August this year. IAHPC’s members in Lower Middle-Income Countries, and even in some higher income countries have reported shortages and stockouts of these medicines that are essential for palliative care, pain relief, the treatment of mental health disorders, surgery, and obstetrics, among other things. Already fragile supply chains in most countries have been disrupted or blocked entirely during the ongoing pandemic, and the IAHPC supports the WHO and UNODC in calling for increased local manufacturing, particularly of generic oral morphine. There are successful examples of this in Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Kerala and other sites that report no diversion or non-medical use of this government subsidized medicine over the long term. The World Drug Report data showing negligible seizures of pharmaceutical morphine in 2020 corroborates reporting from organizations and district authorities on the ground at the sites. The IAHPC urges member states to work with professional organizations of palliative care practitioners, surgery and anesthesia providers, and substance use disorder clinics, as well as National Competent Authorities and health ministries to ensure resilient supply chains fit for pandemic preparedness and response including routine health system needs. I thank you.

Ecuador: We have made significant efforts to ensure that trafficked goods do not end up on national markets. But these efforts have brought about new problems. There’s been an increase in organized crime and it had been more difficult to actually detect these activities. Some seizures have also brought on problems in particular when it comes to their storage and ultimate eradication. We also know that there are significant differences between people and that crime is increasing in forms and manifestations. This is making it more difficult for our different mechanisms for response and reaction. The efforts undertaken by the CND to implement the UN drug control treaties has been important (…) Moreover, the production of cannabis based medication should be based on scientific and medical therapeutic use of knowledge. Regulation should be to the benefit of users, patients and small producers – based on ancestral knowledge and understanding in order to develop evidence based drugs policies. Drugs policie, is something that has become a priority in Ecuador and many in the number of years it is no longer substance based rather detail focused on placing the individual at the heart of the problem. Focusing on the fact that drug use is not an isolated phenomenon but can be related to other medical disorders. Our policies are in line with the hemispheric strategies and have been implemented to strengthen safety and security in order to contain the spread of organized crime. But at the same time there is equally needed to invest in practical measures that directly tackle crime in its early stages. That is why Ecuador invites the member states to put in common effort in order to share quality information, which will make it possible to take scientific evidence based measures. We call for additional resources to be mobilized through capacity building and technical assistance to help those countries most affected by the drug problem. In particular, through the illicit cultivation, production, transit and suits of drugs based on the principle of common and shared responsibility. We equally call for further meetings among the heads of national organizations engaged in combating illicit drug trafficking to be convened in order to coordinate efforts with a view to implementing sustainable development agenda 2030. Thank you very much.

Canada: The UN treaties on drugs is calling for, among other things, developing and implementing truly balanced, comprehensive, evidence based and human rights based responses to the world’s problems. These responses cannot be formed in a vacuum, without the input of the research experts who help inform and shape our understanding. We were therefore dismayed to see the efforts by certain member states to block the presentation of the report Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. Canada takes this opportunity to welcome the report and the ongoing engagements with UN human rights experts and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Vienna, particularly with CND as it is the UN main policy making body on drugs. The work done by these experts is critical to our understanding of the world’s problems and to the defense of human rights the world over. We encourage all member states to support their important work, free from obstruction in the hopes that the UN human rights regime continue to contribute towards international policy debates and developments. Thank you.

Brunei: Our government and the people of Brunei Darussalam has joined hands to combat drug trafficking and abuse that remains a key concern in our country. We are enhancing prevention education programs as well as treatment and rehabilitation. I would also like to thank the support of Indonesia and Singapore. The drug problem knows no borders and the response should be in collaboration, respecting all MS´s sovereignty. There is no one size fits all solution.

Chair: We are proceeding with the deliberation of agenda item 10.
They extended bureau recommended the following days for the 65th session of the CND regular session fro: the 14th to the 18th of March 2022, pre-session consultations on on the 11th of March, reconvened session on the 8th and 9th of December 2022. Are there any comments on those days? I see no objection. It is so decided. As far as the logistical arrangements of the 65th session are concerned, it’s difficult to predict how the pandemic situation will evolve next year. The deadline for the submission of draft resolution would normally be one month prior to the commencement of the session. Therefore the draft resolution for the session will have to be submitted by Monday the 14th February 2022o noon. Draft provisional agenda adopted. I also would like to refer to our discussion yesterday during which it was explained that in the General Assembly resolution 75 to 98, the subsidiary bodies of ECOSOC are encouraged to have their discussions aligned with the main theme of the Economic and Social Council, the main theme of the High Level Political Forum for 2022 which is building back better from the Coronavirus disease, while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. I hope this is accessible. And I see that this case I would also like to draw your attention to the organization of side events as the COVID-19 situation in March next year is unpredictable at this point of time. The registration for site events will proceed as a public practice for the time being closer to this session. We will have to consider the feasibility of interest and then hybrid side events. The guidelines for the side events 2022 were shared with all member states in November. The application period for side events will be from the 10th to the 21st of January next year. We are now proceeding with agenda item 11 – other business.

Western European and Others group: Our members expressed concern about the refusal to allow a statement of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention of the Human Rights Council as is common practice to allow statements from non CND members to be made under this agenda item. The commission should indeed be open to hear information, opinions or advice from various external stakeholders – this definitely includes statements promoting the protection of and respect for human rights and the dignity of the individual. But not allowing the statement of a UN instrument is not understandable and would set some dangerous precedent. We hope that the working group will be able to make a statement at the Human Rights Council working group and present it publicly. It is very relevant to the CND´s mandate and highlights where issues have to be addressed. Since the creation of the Commission, we have been committed to strengthen our normative framework and widen our scope. We therefore regret that this statement is used by some to divide us instead of helping us moving forward. Thank you.

Chair: We indeed received a video message from the rapporteur of the working group on arbitrary detention presenting the study on Arbitrary Detention Relating to Drug Policies pursuant to a mandate contained in Human Rights Council resolution 42-22. In the interest of time, however, I have asked the Secretary ito post this message on the website of the commission together with the report itself. So I invite the member states to check to be the website of the commission to refer to address to have a look at the, at the information posted there.

European Union and its member states and the following countries align themselves with this statement the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland Norway, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and Georgia: Madam Chair, we would like to express our concern about the presentation of the chair of the Human Rights Council Working Group and arbitrary attention for seen under this agenda item has been cancelled. This statement was planned pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 42-22, which is a working group to prepare a study on Arbitrary Detention relating to drug policies and to bring that report to the attention of the CND. Rights Council resolution was adopted by consensus as referred to in the omnibus resolution. It is a common and long standing practice of CND to allow spaces from non-member states to be made under  other business. Indeed, in the 2019 ministerial declaration we committed to supporting the CND offering broad, transparent and inclusive discussions with the Commission involving appropriate or relevant stakeholders, such as relevant United Nations entities. The study that the Human Rights Council working group would like to present is relevant to the mandate, as it highlights several good practices and development in the method of arbitrary detention relating to drug policies, while also addressing shortcomings. I would also like to recall that in the 2016 UNGASS outcome documents we reaffirmed the need to promote protection and respect for human rights and the dignity of all individuals in the context of drug programs, strategies and policies. In light of our past practice and policy commitments, not allowing the statement of another UN entity is inappropriate. Clearly, this unfortunate incident should remain an isolated one. I’ve no doubt that we will swiftly get back to our practice of joining forces in addressing the situation. Since its beginning, the Commission has been committed to reinforcing the understanding of all aspects of the world drug situation with other entities. Thank you.

Russia on behalf of Bangladesh, Belarus, China, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, State of Palestine, Syria: We have serious reservations about the content as well as the process of preparations of the study “Arbitrary detention relating to drug policies” which was published at the website of the 64th session of the Commission and, through this action, brough to the attention of the Commission, as requested in 42/22 Human Rights Council resolution. First of all, we would like to emphasize that the study goes beyond the mandate given by the aforementioned resolution. The report covers not only issues related to arbitrary detention, but also treatment, criminalization of drug use and other aspects of drug policy which have nothing to do with the mandate of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. These complex issues are prerogative of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs as the policy-making body of the United Nations with prime responsibility for drug control matters which has not been consulted with in terms of the mandate, scope and content of the study. Moreover, outcomes of the study ignore both the provisions of the three international drug control conventions and the drug-related policy commitments adopted by the Commission. For instance, it contains a recommendation to decriminalize the use, possession and even cultivation of drugs for personal use which contradicts several provisions of Article 3 of the United Nations Convention against Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988. Notwithstanding the fact that the 1988 Convention gives flexibility to State Parties in determining sanctions for drug-related offences taking into account the gravity of such offences as well as constitutional principles and basic concepts of national legal systems, the report advocates for the abolition of the death penalty for drug-related offences. It promotes the universal use of opioid substitution therapy. However, according to the Article 38 of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 State Parties should take all practicable measures for the prevention and treatment of drug abuse, but it is their prerogative to decide which interventions are applicable in the national context. Among others, we disagree with the recommendation of the Working Group to take into account the United Nations system common position on drug control policy, which was produced by the Secretariat without any mandate of Member States and has never been formalized by the intergovernmental bodies. Despite a request given to the Working Group in the Human Rights Council resolution to prepare the study in close consultation with Member States, the report is mostly based on views and assessments of the civil society which are presented as the ultimate truth. Such a selective and biased approach questions the credibility and authority of the study. Having said that, we emphasize that the report cannot be considered as a reliable source of information or valuable input to the work of the Commission which has never requested the Working Group or the Human Rights Council to present it in Vienna. We request the Secretariat to record our position in the report of the reconvened session. 

Singapore: Madam Chair,As stated in the joint statement just delivered by the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation, the recommendations in the study on arbitrary detention relating to drug policies posted on the website of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, go beyond the mandate of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to investigate cases of deprivation of liberty imposed arbitrarily or inconsistently with international standards. The study claims that there is no evidence that practices at compulsory drug detention centres result in the successful treatment of drug dependent persons. This is not true. Singapore’s evidence-informed rehabilitation and aftercare approach is a crucial pillar of our comprehensive drug control approach, which has enabled us to sustain a low and stable rate of drug abuse over the years. We provide a host of interventions and support to rehabilitate drug abusers and help them reintegrate into society. These interventions are guided by international best practices. The decrease in the two-year recidivism rate for drug abusers in Singapore, from 67.4% for the 1996 release cohort to 25.9% for the 2018 release cohort shows its effectiveness. Further, the study claims that imposing the capital punishment for drug related offences is incompatible with international standards on the use of capital punishment. We do not agree.  First, international law does not prohibit the use of capital punishment. There is no international consensus against the use of capital punishment when applied according to the due process of law and judicial safeguards. Second, capital punishment can effectively deter serious crimes that cause grave harm to others and society, including trafficking large quantities of drugs. This is true in Singapore’s experience. For example, in the four years after the mandatory death penalty was introduced in Singapore for the trafficking of more than 1,200 grammes of opium, the average net weight of opium trafficked into Singapore fell by 66%.Third, capital punishment should be viewed beyond the perspective of the person receiving the sentence. Drug traffickers and the drugs which they traffic cause immense harm to drug abusers and their families. We need to protect our society; and protect people from becoming victims. Our people deserve the right to live in a safe environment free from drug abuse. Singapore believes that each country has its unique circumstances and norms, and the sovereign right to implement drug control policies most appropriate for its local context. We will continue to adopt evidence-informed policies that has worked well for us.

Iran: I would like to briefly express some of our observation regarding the study of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention relating to drug policy. We believe that the examination of human rights aspects of drug policies can be done only by an expert team, well informed about the global drug situation international drug treaties and their special domestic conditions with a mandate to use evidence based and reliable sources, free from political considerations. We believe that the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, as the policymaking body of the UN, has international competency to assign a competent team for reviewing drug policies. Unfortunatle,y in the case of human rights, the decision to prepare a study on drug policy, CND has not been consulted. It seems that some of the report has been prepared based on unreliable resources. The content of the report and its recommendation are not in the premier framework of the international control regime. For example, the working group recommends to decriminalize use, possession, acquisition or cultivation of drugs for personal use. On the same issue, INCB, a competent entity referring to Article four of 1961 convention, reject this idea. In addition, it seems that even in the field of human rights, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention went beyond its mandate and discuss some other human rights issues such as capital punishment, which are in the sole mandate of other human rights official procedures. Based on the mentioned reasons, this study is not enough scientific and evidence based to be used  as a reliable source or guidance on drug policy issue. Thank you.

Slovenia: It is very unfortunate that we have to take the floor on this matter and Slovenia would like to use the opportunity to fully support the statement delivered by the EU on the fact that the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has been prevented from delivering a video statement on this agenda in regrettable. We see this as a very unfortunate incident that should be avoided in the future. My delegation believes that this is both our political as well as well as our moral duty to safeguard human rights and humane approaches towards drug users. We also see it as the most effective and long-term way of solving the harmful effects of drug use. Slovenia expresses its appreciation of the efforts of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and encourages them to continue this important work. Thank you Madam Chair.

Egypt: We would like to support the statements presented by the Russian Federation earlier in this session. Regrettably, the claims presented by the working group are incomplete in evidence. The content, methodology and source of information used in the report are highly questionable. The working group went beyond the scope of the mandate provided by the Human Rights Council resolution 4222 and the three UN drug conventions. In this regard, it is noteworthy that the report has defined arbitrary detention in a bias and politicized manner that serves the purposes and price priorities of certain parties, and therefore does not reflect an objective view of the reality of the situation in many instances. Probably most importantly, the report unfortunately undermines the common spirit that we share in Vienna and seems to negate our efforts to collectively attempt reaching a common agreement with the ultimate aim of implementing effective drugs strategies to protect our communities. To conclude, I would like to reassure that Egypt remains committed to continuing the necessary actions to combat drug related problems and challenges in accordance with sovereign rights United Nations Charter, the three UN drug conventions and domestic legislation to protect the health and welfare of its community, especially our youth.

Latvia: Latvia aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union and its member states and supports the efforts made by the Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and we express concern regarding the cancellation of the statement on the study on Arbitrary Detention relating to drug policy during this session. The Working Group is an independent expert body or the Human Rights Council. Its work is done in line with the basic human rights principles applicable in many areas of life, policies and law enforcement activities. The work carried out by the working group has received input from many different countries, institutions, civil society organizations and preventing the study reports to be delivered today sends the wrong message. In conclusion, we would like to thank all those who contributed to the work done by the working group and I ask you not to be discouraged in carrying out future tasks to promote human rights aspects in areas. Thank you

Germany: We have noted with regret that some delegations pressure the Secretariat and resulted in preventing the video message to be played. Reality does not disappear when we close our eyes. We would have welcomed the discussion to be in the open, on the floor of this commission.

Netherlands: I would like to intervene on the video presentation which was to be delivered on the current agenda item. I will refer in particular to the statements made by the distinguished delegates from EU and Belgium. I do have full support to those statements. As a main UN policy body on drugs, it is essential that the CND hears all relevant inputs, including from other UN entities. It would also be the presentation on Arbitrary Detention today. This isonly natural that we engage in debate, build bridges and arrive at a consensus as we have been able to do so countless times in spite of the challenges. Cancelling presentations like the one we should have had under this item will not help us to better understand the drug situation in all its aspects nor will we improve the evidence base needed for decisions that all members of this commission continue to be convinced of the importance. We would like to stick to the well established practice of allowing statements from non member states. Thank you Madam Chair.

Lithuania: while fully aligning with the statements made on behalf of the European Union and its member states, Lithuania is weighing in its national capacity. I would like to reiterate the importance of drug policies implementation in respect of human rights and reiterate our full and long standing commitment to that and therefore, Lithuania is deeply concerned that the presentation of the chair of the Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on the agenda item 11 have been cancelled. We are determined to work together with all member states and all other relevant stakeholders respectfully and openly. We have to remain united on this issue to make a change. Thank you.

Portugal: We fully align ourselves with the statement made by the EU and we hope that we can avoid situations such as this one in the future. Thank you

Greece: Greece fully aligns itself with a statement made by the EU and fully supports the statement they made by Belgium on behalf of well I would like to add our voice to those who have already expressed their concern on the cancellation of a presentation by the chair or the Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. We are not the opinion that this particular presentation would be useful to the work of the CND as it relates to a certain aspect of drug policy touching upon the respect. Protection of human rights are of paramount importance in our national strategy. We’re also concerned that previous speakers upset about the fact that it is the practice of the CND to permit statements by important stakeholders and this has not been observed in this instance. We hope that this constitutes an isolated incident that will not be repeated in the future. Thank you.

Sweden: Like many delegations, we are deeply concerned that the plan presentation on arbitrary detention of the Human Rights Council of Council today just goes against long standing practices. and it’s not in line with our joint commitment and we find inappropriate. We believe that it’s absolutely crucial that the commission is open to receive relevant briefings, advice from external stakeholders in particularly from given entity. Sweden regrets the decision, and we hope we can come back to previous practices in the future deliberations of the Commission. Thank you.

France: <no translation>

Indonesia: With reference to the report of the Advisory Group on Arbitrary Detention, I our view it does not correspond to the objective of the meeting, and is inconsistent with our efforts to address the threat of the global drug problem with regard to upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms in supporting criminal justice authorities. The drug problem promotion and protection should be addressed in a balanced manner, while taking into account different incentives and prevent inadequate packaging. Illicit drug trafficking have hazardous effects on our socio economic fabric where lives have been lost and future have been destroyed.

Cuba: Cuba align itself to the statement delivered by the representative of the Russian Federation on behalf of a group of countries. Madam Chair, the publication of the report under the item any other business is considered a violation of the mandate of the commission by Cuba. The Commission on Narcotic Drugs was as (…) United Nations Economic and Social Council  to monitor and apply the conventions, Madam Chair, we reject attempts to politicize the work of the Commission. Thank you very much.

Nigeria: Nigeria takes note of the report of the Working Group on Arbitrary distinction with keen interest, but we know the report is an outcome of the study undertaken by the working group pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 47. The resolution also requested that the report be shared with the Commission on Narcotic Drugs on demand. This should be done. We believe that is the correct judgment by posting this report on its website, at least to bring the content to the knowledge of members of the commission. Nigeria was mentioned several times in the report. We do not condemn the report in its entirety and we do not also object to the exercise of the mandate of the Human Rights Council. Now its working groups, including the Working Group on Arbitrary station, only carried out a request mandated by resolution. Madam Chair, we believe, however, that the report could have benefited more from independent interrogation as well as input from governmental institutions whose domestic legal and non-legal frameworks are the focus of the study. For instance, the reference to Nigeria on proper punishment for flogging ought to have indicated properly (…) Also, the report should have highlighted that the judicial pronouncements in the affected jurisdiction have not promoted such practice. Similarly, the report did not mentioned that the National Drug Law Enforcement Act of Nigeria that applies to the whole Federation contains no such provision. Furthermore, the criminal justice laws of the Federation of Nigeria, allow judges discretion in criminal matters including drug related offenses. Nigeria respect its commitment to the drug control conventions as a cornerstone of our drug policy framework and administration. Respect to human rights is part of the commitment we have highlighted in our new National Drug Control master plan a priority primacy of human rights in our drug policy. In conclusion, while Nigeria is not opposed to the investigation by the Working Group on Arbitrary decisions related to drug policy, we would like to reiterate the need for proper engagement with member states to ensure appropriate data on any report, so to ensure that the information shared would reflects the accuracy in those countries. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): Today we are celebrating Human Rights Day in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. This pandemic exposed the severity of existing inequalities in the enjoyment of human rights. But it has also proven us how connected we are, and that human rights is the most effective response to the challenges we face. These challenges include the drug problems that resulted into prison overcrowding and arbitrary deletion around the world. In June 2021, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention submitted a study (A/HRC/47/40) on arbitrary detention in relating to drug policy to the Human Rights Council pursuant to the Council’s resolution 44/22. In resolution 42/22, the Council also requested the Working Group to bring the report to the attention of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs as the policymaking body of the United Nations with prime responsibility for drug-control matters. The report is made available on the CND website. OHCHR regrets that the Chair of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is not allowed to present the findings and recommendations of the Study to this Commission through video statement. The Study of the Working Group provides several critical recommendations in the prohibition of the arbitrary detention in relation to drug policy. Such prohibition is also recommended in the Outcome Document of UNGASS 2016 (paragraph (o) ,Chapter 4).  The Working Group recommends, among others, that States to

• Decriminalize the use, possession, acquisition or cultivation of drugs for personal use; and;
• Promptly release persons detained only for drug use or possession for personal use;
• Close without delay State-run compulsory drug detention centres and private treatment facilities that hold persons against their will.
• Take into account the United Nations system common position on drug control policy and the international guidelines on human rights and drug policy, in formulating human rights compliant drug policy.

 OHCHR urges States to take concrete, effective and practical measures to implement the recommendations of the Study of the Working Group. Thank you, Madam Chair.

NGO / IDPC: This statement is delivered on behalf of the International Drug Policy Consortium, Harm Reduction International and the International Network of People who Use Drugs. Today, 10th of December, is International Human Rights Day. Unfortunately, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs has nothing celebrate. In recent years, support for human rights has become a welcome mainstay of international drug policy documents. In the 2016 UNGASS Outcome Document, the 2019 Ministerial Declaration and many CND Resolutions, all Member States regularly commit to respect, protect, and promote human rights. The INCB has repeatedly stated that drug control must comply with human rights obligations. And through the UN system Common Position on drugs, under UNODC’s stewardship, all UN entities have pledged to support policies that put human rights at the centre. Despite these commitments, repressive drug policies continue to fuel widespread and systematic rights violations, including the death penalty for drug offences, extrajudicial killings, mass incarceration, the systemic denial of harm reduction, and countless acts of police brutality and violence. This year’s International Human Rights Day focuses on equality and non-discrimination. Drug bodies should be deeply compelled by this theme. As the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights wrote in her recent report on racial justice, ‘The discriminatory application of criminal law must be tackled at every stage, including by reforming drug policies with discriminatory outcomes’. Yet, even in yesterday’s session, we were shocked to hear objections to the inclusion LGBTQI+ populations in UNODC reporting. Madame Chair, Last June, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention published a watershed study on arbitrary detention and drug policies. International law establishes an absolute prohibition on the arbitrary deprivation of liberty that applies to all Member States. This study documents the appalling extent to which this prohibition is breached because of drug laws. But the study also provides a series of positive country examples, as well as constructive recommendations, and the Working Group has always stood ready to dialogue and cooperate with Member States. In light of this, we are deeply regret that the Chair of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, who had been invited to present their findings today, has been disinvited at the last moment. This study requested by the Human Rights Council in a resolution adopted by consensus, which also mandated the Working Group to bring it to the attention of CND. The decision to disinvite the Working Group places Vienna in discordance with the rest of the UN system. The move to silence a UN human rights mandate precisely on International Human Rights Day sends a disturbing message that human rights expertise is not welcome in Vienna, and that the Commission on Narcotic Drugs prefers to turn a blind eye to human rights violations. This decision is unprecedented and deeply concerning. The CND has made repeated commitments on welcoming contributions by other UN entities to the work of CND, most recently in the 2019 Ministerial Declaration. And for several years now, UN human rights bodies have rightly addressed CND meetings without issue. We urge Member States to ensure that the Chair of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is invited again to the upcoming regular session of the CND. The involvement of human rights bodies and experts needs to be welcomed and proactively encouraged in all CND meetings. Otherwise, the Commission will risk sliding into an increasingly isolated and irrelevant position within the United Nations system. Thank you very much for your attention.

Chair: We proceed to the next agenda item. A report on what we have discussed this morning will be combined and finalized by myself with the assistance of the rapporteur. Are there any comments on the way forward? I see none. It’s so decided. Before we proceed with the adoption, I will request delegations to abstain from taking the floor if the comments relate to editorial slash translation matters. Please provide those comments in writing to the secretariat. I first invite the commission to turn its attention to documents containing the part on organization of the reconvene session and administrative matters. I see no comments. Let’s now turn to the portion of the dealing with our discussions on that on agenda item four entitled strategic management, budgetary and administrative questions. Are there any comments on this? Adopted. The next document is entitled contribution by the Commission to the work of the Economic and Social Council in line with the General Assembly resolution 72/305 including follow up to and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. for Sustainable Development. I see no comments. As mentioned earlier, the report will be compiled and finally finalized by myself and the rapporteur. Furthermore, in accordance with advice received from the Secretariat of Economic and Social Council, the reconvene session of the commissioners transmits the decision to bring it three parts to the attention of the Council. This was also the case with the report of the previous session. The report will contain a draft decision to this effect for adoption by the Economic and Social Council. Are there any comments or questions? It is so decided. Delegates, ladies and gentlemen, this actually brings me to the conclusion of this session.

Belgium: On behalf of the Western European and Others group and from me personally, thank you for conducting these meetings during such a challenging time.

Kyrgyzstan: It has been an honor to be the rapporteur along you. Our membership at the Commission is coming to an end so I wish all of you good health and good luck.

Mexico: Congratulation on the outstanding chairmanship.

Russia: Regrettable that we do not have interpretation on Russian, one of the official languages of the UN. We understand the hybrid format poses its challenges, but we hope we do not have to sacrifice multilingualism. We express our highest appreciation to Poland and you, madame chair for your exemplary leadership during these extraordinary times. We hope that during its 65th session, the Commission will devote particular attention to curbing the trends of massive measure of modern technologies by which manifested more clearly during the pandemic, Russia wishes to constructively engage all member states in promoting the counter-narcotics agenda in Vienna.

Nigeria: Congratulation on the outstanding chairmanship.

Egypt: Congratulation on the outstanding chairmanship.

Chair: Thank you for your kind statements. I am about to conclude the sessions, but there is one more important matter we have to attend to, the election of the next extended bureau.

Thailand: Thank you for your exemplary leadership and for the Secretary for their support in this unusual times.

Chair: I declare the 64th session closed. Now we procees with the opening of the 65th session with the election of the new officers. Chair: Belgium, I see no objection so I invite the Ambassador to conclude the rest of the election procedure. Thank you very much.

New Chair: Thank you for your trust in me. I would like to formally take this opportunity to warmly thank the previous chair for their outstanding work during this past session. I have two personal remarks – I am looking forward to working together with my team who are very able as well as the Secretariat, being of service to the commission; I would like to double down on multilateralism so in accordance to the rules of procedure, we will proceed with the election of the rest of the officers based on regional distribution. 1st Vice Chair: Colombia, 2nd Vice Chair: Nigeria, 3rd Vice Chair and Rapporteur: we have not received nominations until now. I kindly ask the respective regional groups to provide us with the nominations as soon as possible. We will elect the vice chairs by acclamation. It is so decided. We will meet in March for the regular session, for which we will prepare with full consultation with member states. I wish you good health, the session is adjourned.