CND69: Meeting 4 – 10 March 2026
Economic and Social Council
Date: 10 March 2026
Language: English
Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/en/asset/k13/k13sr2qz78
Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations.

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Armenia · Chair [28:15]:

So, good afternoon, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. We resume our meeting with general debate, agenda item 3. And next on my list, I have a pleasure to invite Mr. Muhammad Rizwan Shahabuddin, Chargé d'Affaires, Permanent Mission of Malaysia. Please, you have the floor.


Malaysia · Chargé d'Affaires [28:42]:

Thank you, Chair. I would like to congratulate you, Mr. Chair, on your election as the Chair of this session. My delegation associates itself with the statements by ASEAN, the G77 and China, and the Group of Asia-Pacific States. Mr. Chair, building on Malaysia's pledge at the 67th session of the CND, We have concluded strategic MOUs with our neighboring states. These MOUs aim at dismantling transnational crime and drug trafficking networks. In 2025, Malaysia recorded over 240,000 drug-related cases. Authorities confiscated 89 tonnes of narcotics and 132 tonnes of poisons, with a value of US$890 million. During the same period, we successfully dismantled 270 syndicates and neutralised 21 clandestine laboratories. Methamphetamine remains our primary challenge, accounting for more than 51,000 kilograms confiscated. Mr. Chair, This data paints a sobering picture of Malaysia’s drug landscape. With over 191,000 recorded cases of addiction and abuse, young adults aged 15 to 39 constitute the largest share of ATS user demographics. This is more than a legal challenge; it is a socio-economic issue. The fact that only around 50% of these individuals completed secondary education suggests a strong link between limited education, social vulnerability, and socioeconomic challenge. Mr. Chair, under the leadership of the National Anti-Drug Agency, Malaysia is committed to transform its drug prevention and treatment strategies. Moving forward, Malaysia is advancing a people-centred approach to recovery, transitioning away from treating addiction as a stigma, but as a public health priority. At the heart of this approach are the One Stop Centres of Addiction, or OSCA, centralised hubs that connect individuals to the appropriate level of treatment, care, and support. We aim to strengthen rehabilitation, reintegration and long-term recovery outcomes for individuals affected by drug use. Recognising that prevention is vital to our economic stability, we have launched T-CAD, a drug-free workplace programme. Through T-CAD, we aim to engage 400 organisations annually. Malaysia aspires to ensure that workplaces become a key frontline in drug prevention, where employees are protected, supported, and empowered to maintain a drug-free and productive life. Mr. Chair, Malaysia reaffirms full support for the UNODC and the chairmanship of this Commission. Together, we can turn the tide against illicit drugs and build a legacy of health and security. With that, I thank you, Mr. Chai.


Armenia · Chair [32:26]:

Thank you. Now, I have the pleasure to invite Mr. Jabir Azimov, Deputy Director of Agency for Drug and Firearms Control under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Please, you have the floor.


Uzbekistan · Deputy Director, Agency for Drug and Firearms Control [32:48]:

Distinguished Chair, allow me to congratulate you upon your election to chair this session of the CND. Chair, ladies and gentlemen, colleagues, allow me to congratulate the Secretary to the Commission and thank them for their excellent organization of this session. We also thank them for providing us with this opportunity to exchange experience and discuss issues of relevance to addressing the world drug problem. In recent years, the global drug situation has rapidly evolved. Drug-related crime is becoming increasingly organized and transnational. There is an expansion in the illicit production and proliferation of synthetic drugs and NPS. Moreover, digital technologies and virtual space are actively utilized. Regrettably, these trends affect the Republic of Uzbekistan too. Over the past five years, the number of crimes related to illicit drug trafficking has gone up two and a half times. There has been a twofold increase in the amount of narcotic drugs seized and a sevenfold increase in the trafficking of synthetic drugs. In 2025 alone, the drug enforcement agencies have identified over 15,000 drug-related crimes, and around 3.5 tons of narcotic drugs have been seized from illicit markets, including 120 kilograms of synthetic substances. What is particularly concerning is that one in every three crimes in this category are committed by young people. In response to these challenges, Uzbekistan is continually carrying out wide-sweeping reforms designed to strengthen a national system to prevent drug dependence and drug-related crimes. Over the past five years, Uzbekistan has adopted over 20 legislative and regulatory acts aimed at upgrading the legal framework. strengthening interagency coordination and developing the prevention mechanisms. I note the adoption of a core strategic document, namely the National Strategy of Uzbekistan to Combat Drug Dependence and Drug-Related Crimes. As part of these reforms, we have introduced liability for circulating and advertising material promoting narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Given the current threats, a new version of the law of Uzbekistan on narcotic drugs and strong substances has been drafted. Moreover, a bill has been crafted. It provides for stricter penalties for drug crimes, and it is currently being considered by parliament. It provides for criminal liability for creating clandestine laboratories, for inciting minors to use drugs, and also protection of traffickers. For such severe crimes, mitigating circumstances cannot apply and sentences are fully served as per the law. We've introduced mechanisms for encouraging citizens to contribute to identifying drug related offences related to trafficking. I would like to note in particular that on 3 November, Last year, the President of Uzbekistan signed an order aimed at further improving public health and preventing drug dependence and drug crimes. I would like to note that the document provides for stricter liability for drug crimes. It involves the use of AI tools and for identifying crimes committed online. We also seek to continuously train personnel. in relevant agencies, strengthen logistic support at border and customs control points. I'd also like to note the creation of new mechanisms for preventing drug dependence and also an integrated transformation of our system for caring for persons with drug dependence involving the private sector. We are confident that not a single state is able to effectively counteract the world drug problem by itself. Only by dovetailing our efforts can we achieve lasting results. That is why Uzbekistan attributes particular importance to the development of international cooperation. Now, we are actively cooperating with over 50 states and international organizations, including UNODC, the EU, the OSCE, the SCO, the CIS, and CARIC. We consider cooperation with UNODC as a key element for ensuring regional and international security. My country is one of the first countries in Asia to join the UNODC initiative named CHAMPS, aimed at forming resilience among minors in order they do not use drugs. Also, at the initiative of the Head of State, to boost cooperation with UNODC, the Permanent Mission of Uzbekistan in Vienna has established the post of First Secretary, who will be managing cooperation in this field.

Dear colleagues.

In furtherance of the Ministerial Declaration of 2019, designed to strengthen our actions at the national, regional and international levels to address the world drug problem, Uzbekistan, with UNODC, from 20 to 20 April this year in the city of Samarkand, will hold an international forum on the topic of preventing transnational drug threats. or refer to threats to public health and security. We stand ready to ensure this forum will be an important platform for open dialogue, the exchange of experience, and development of new joint approaches to preventing these threats. Allow me to use this opportunity to invite the Member States of the UN and international organizations and experts to take part in this forum. In closing, I would like to ask the Member States of the Commission to support the candidature of Uzbekistan in the elections to the CND in 2027. We stand ready to further contribute actively to promoting joint international efforts to counteract the world drug problem. Thank you.


Armenia · Chair [39:09]:

Thank you. Now I have a pleasure to invite Mr. Hugo Sara Viameda, Executive Secretary, Executive Secretariat of the Commission Against Addictions and Illicit Drug Trafficking, Guatemala.

Please.


Guatemala · Executive Secretary, Commission Against Addictions and Illicit Drug Trafficking [39:32]:

Good afternoon, Chair. My delegation would like to congratulate you on your election to preside over our works in the 69th period of sessions of the CND and would like to express Guatemala's full support for you in carrying out your role. We would also like to extend a warm greeting to the Acting Executive Director of the UNODC, as well as to their team and the Secretariat. Guatemala recognizes that the world drugs problem is a complex challenge that requires multidisciplinary and multisectoral responses, focusing on prevention, addiction treatment, and rehabilitation, as well as combating the diversion and illegal trafficking of drugs. As a transit country in the region of South America, Guatemala has strengthened its operative activities to combat drug trafficking and the associated criminal structures. During 2025, Guatemalan authorities seized over 9,850 kilos of cocaine, as well as other illegal substances, and also took important steps to eradicate illegal crops and to destroy the clandestine routes used for drug trafficking. As for 2026, we have already seized approximately 4,999 kilos of cocaine, which reflects our continued efforts to combat drug trafficking. Guatemala has also made progress in strengthening our institutional mechanisms for controlling chemical precursors and substances used in the illegal production of drugs. In January 2026, we signed an inter-institutional agreement between the Ministry of Governance, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, the Ministry of the National Defense, and the Superintendency of the Tax Administration. as well as with the Executive Secretary of the Commission against Addictions and Illegal Drugs Trafficking, which is affiliated with the Vice Presidency of the Republic. The goal of this was to strengthen inter-institutional coordination and to prevent the diversion of precursors for illegal purposes through creating and revising the protocol of action for the Inter-Institutional Operative Group for the Control of precursors and chemical substances. During 2025, this Secretariat, affiliated with the Vice-Presidency, consolidated an early warning system as a specialized technical mechanism for identifying and managing emerging risks. This system issued two early warnings, strengthening the country's capacity for the identification and timely communication of the risks associated with new psychoactive substances. The adoption of of this early warning system protocol has allowed Guatemala to establish clear procedures for managing warnings, guaranteeing transparency, traceability, and compliance with laws. Similarly, the National Drugs Observatory in Guatemala has provided analysis based on scientific evidence to guide public policy, including technical reports on new psychoactive substances. drawn up in coordination with national institutions such as the National Institute for Forensic Sciences. Guatemala believes that international cooperation is a crucial element in effectively tackling the world drugs problem. Therefore, we will continue to strengthen our collaboration with regional and international organizations, including the UNODC, as well as with dedicated regional networks working on monitoring new psychoactive substances. Our country would like to reiterate our commitment to the implementation of the three international drug control conventions, as well as the final document of the UN General Assembly Special Session on the World Drugs Problem in 2016 and the Ministerial Declaration of 2019. Finally, Guatemala would like to reiterate our commitment to continue working along with the international community to promote comprehensive, balanced, and sustainable responses to the world drugs problem. On behalf of the Republic of Guatemala, Chair, thank you very much.


Armenia · Chair [43:59]:

Thank you, and I have a pleasure to invite His Excellency Tsendgeeg Mijid Dorj, Ambassador Permanent Representative of Mongolia. Please, Ambassador.


Mongolia · Ambassador and Permanent Representative [44:09]:

Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, first of all, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. Chair, on your election as the chair of the 69th session, as well as the members of the Bureau. My delegation expresses its full support and cooperation. Mongolia aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of Asia-Pacific Group, as well as the G77 and China. Allow me to make a few remarks regarding our national efforts. The world drug problem remains a serious challenge that threatens our societies, the health and well-being of our people, and the future of younger generations. The increase of drug trafficking has contributed not only to rising drug demand, but also to expanding sources of income linked to serious transnational organized crime, including money laundering, corruption, human trafficking, and financing of terrorism. The government of Mongolia is intensifying its efforts to combat the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The measures are being implemented to enhance interagency coordination, strengthen prevention of drug-related offenses, and deepen analysis of their underlying causes and emerging trends. Criminal liability is calibrated based on objective factors. including the quantity and potency of substances involved, while sentencing policies and the legal framework supporting public awareness continue to be refined. In 2025, the government upgraded the anti-drug division of the General Police Department into an independent anti-drug unit. This institutional restructuring has strengthened Mongolia's capacity to combat illicit drug trafficking, enhance preventive efforts, and further develop both domestic and international cooperation. Recent trends in drug-related crimes indicate that drug use is increasingly affecting younger segments of the population. This development highlights the urgent need for coordinated and responsible actions at all levels, including government institutions, communities, families, and individuals, in order to effectively protect future generations. Despite progress made, Mongolia continues to face several challenges. These include limited law enforcement capacity, insufficient resources, and technological constraints. The absence of comprehensive national treatment standards, along with inadequate facilities and support services for drug users, further complicate the response. In addition, shortages of detection equipment and limited precursor identification capabilities at forensic Laboratories and border control points remain significant obstacles. Insufficient awareness among youth about the harmful effects of drug use, as well as the proliferation of unregulated online drug advertisements further exacerbate the problem. Mongolia actively cooperates with the UNODC, the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center, and the competent authorities of Vietnam, Turkey, and the Republic of Korea. This cooperation includes the exchange of information, joint training initiatives, sharing experiences in addressing new psychoactive substances, and facilitating the repatriation of Mongolian nationals detained abroad. Mr. Chair, drug-related crime is not merely a violation of law, nor the problem of a single nation. The world drug problem is a shared global challenge that must be addressed through strengthened multilateral cooperation. In this regard, we reiterate the importance of the support for the implementation of international instruments and technical assistance to Member States to enhance their capacity to effectively respond to the world drug problem. Mr. Chair, I wish to reaffirm my Government's full commitment to the effective implementation of the three international drug control conventions, the cornerstones of our collective efforts to address the world drug problem. Mongolia stands ready to further strengthen cooperation with the UNODC, other UN entities, as well as the regional mechanisms in responding to the problem effectively. I thank you.


Armenia · Chair [48:38]:

Thank you. And now I have the pleasure to invite His Excellency Mr. Pablo Berti Oliva, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Cuba. Please, Excellency, you have the floor.


Cuba · Ambassador and Permanent Representative [48:50]:

Thank you, Chair. Chair, distinguished delegates, first of all, allow me to congratulate you on your election and wish you every success in your work. We would like to reiterate our unwavering commitment to the prevention and tackling the world drugs problem under the principle of common and shared responsibility. Cuba maintains a policy of zero tolerance when it comes to transnational organized crime, and specifically trafficking in drugs and illegal substances. Under the firm view or the firm willingness of the state and government of Cuba to comply with its international commitments when it comes to the drugs problem and supporting the UN, this policy is based on coordinating a harmonious balance between prevention and enforcement. and applying a rigorous and severe action when it comes to drugs trafficking, in line with our internal rules and due process, as well as timely assistance to the victims of drug use with a preventive and comprehensive approach, allowing for their full rehabilitation into society and guaranteeing the rejection by most of the population to this scourge. Thanks to our cross-cutting strategy, Cuba is neither producer, or transit, or destination country for drugs heading to third nations. Over the last year, our security forces and our popular monitoring system has thwarted attempts to introduce drugs through detection in docks and maritime and air-based operations, seizing tons that did not reach their final destination of consumption. However, these results are achieved under extraordinary The economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed upon our country is the main obstacle we face in our work of prevention and enforcement. The financial siege and the unjustified inclusion of Cuba on the list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism severely limits our access to latest generation detection technology for ports, airports, and labs, as well as energy resources. media for patrolling our borders, and medical supplies needed to treat the victims of drugs. Along with all of this, we have the worsening of the blockade with the executive order given by the President of the United States on 29 January 2026, which aims to strangle our country's economy and create more suffering among our population. However, we should make one thing clear: the oil blockade that aims to strangle us will not reduce the willingness among our border officers, nor our legal system, nor the will for Cuba to continue being an effective wall of defense for the Caribbean and the rest of the world when it comes to combating this scourge. Chair. Cuba will not hold back. We have strengthened our capacities to adapt to contemporary challenges. The creation of the National Drugs Observatory in July 25, with technical assistance from the COPOLAD III cooperation program from the EU, Is one of our new scientific tools made-up of 3 pillars, an information network, a research network, and an early warning system. This is the only one of its type. that manages and integrates them. This is a major qualitative step which strengthens our national prevention and combating strategy for drugs. For Cuba, the fight against drugs is an issue of national security, but most of all, It's a question of health and well-being for our families. We would like to reiterate our availability and willingness to cooperate with all states under the absolute respect for sovereignty to ensure that the scourge of drugs does not continue to take lives. Allow me to conclude by highlighting that on this important topic, Cuba is not the problem. Cuba is part of the solution. Thank you very much.


Armenia · Chair [53:12]:

Thank you. I have a pleasure to invite His Excellency Mr. Jassim Yaqoub Al Hamadi, Ambassador of Qatar. Please, Excellency, have a seat.


Qatar · Ambassador [53:36]:

Mr. Chair. I would like to congratulate you and the other members of the Bureau on your election to lead the 69th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. I would also like to thank the Secretariat for the excellent preparation of the documents. Mr. Chair, the 2025 World Drug Report and the Executive Director's report submitted to this session once again paint a grim picture of the global drug problem. The global drug markets are expanding in size, scope, and complexity. Drug use continues to rise, and the number of drug users keeps increasing. Drug production, manufacturing, and illicit trafficking have become more mobile, technologically advanced, and geographically widespread. The criminal use of information and communication technologies in drug markets is accelerating, including the use of the dark web and cryptocurrencies. Links between drug trafficking, corruption, money laundering, organized crime, and terrorism are also on the rise. This discouraging picture should not lead the international community to despair, but rather to face reality courageously. The international community does not need new instruments. The three drug conventions and the other related instruments provide a comprehensive legal and legislative framework. What we need is the political will to adopt comprehensive and common priorities that are not based on immediate reactive measures, such as the excessive use of force in law enforcement, the legalization of certain drugs for recreational purposes, or focusing solely on harm reduction policies. Instead, we must address the global drug problem in all its dimensions as a shared and collective responsibility to be undertaken multilaterally. We must set common priorities that combine prevention, law enforcement, treatment, development, international cooperation, and combating organized crime simultaneously. I refer here to the Secretary General, who emphasized the role of prevention as the most important strategy to stop the flow of drugs that fuels organized crime around the world, while reducing demand through investment in education, treatment, and care; simultaneously targeting production mechanisms by eliminating illicit laboratories, providing viable alternatives for farmers, dismantling trafficking networks by enhancing the security of global trade routes, drying up the financial flows of criminal networks; and respecting human rights. Mr. Chair, out of its deep awareness of the dangers of drugs to the health, safety, and well-being of our citizens, especially young people, and because drugs violate human rights, foremost the right to life, the State of Qatar has prioritized prevention and community protection from drugs. Qatar carries out prevention operations as a shared societal responsibility involving official bodies and the community, alongside the important role of families and the media. We also continue to launch preventive education campaigns that include schools, institutes, colleges, universities, youth centers, sports clubs, and others. These efforts are coupled with Qatar's full implementation of its obligations under the drug control conventions and the other relevant international instruments, as well as integrated measures that include prevention and awareness, All of that has made Qatar one of the most drug-free countries in the world. Qatar also contributes to regional and international initiatives to combat drugs by supporting regional and international organizations, as well as international and regional programs. In closing, We express our firm conviction that preserving multilateralism, including supporting the UN system and its institutions, including the UNODC, is essential in order to strengthen solidarity and international cooperation and bolster the capacities of States to address the global drug problem. Let us renew our commitment to a world free of drugs and unite to dismantle criminal networks and break the cycle of suffering and destruction once and for all. Thank you, Mr. Chair.


Armenia · Chair [59:49]:

Thank you very much. Next on my list is Her Excellency Ms. Angela Vigliotta, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Dominican Republic. Please, Excellency, you have the floor.


Dominican Republic · Ambassador and Permanent Representative [1:00:04]:

Very good afternoon. We would like to congratulate Ambassador Andranik Harvassian, Permanent Representative of Armenia, for his election as President of the 69th period of session of the CND, as well as other members of the Board. We would like to align ourselves with the statement made by G77+China, as well as the statement made by GRULAC, and we make the following comments in our national capacity. The Dominican Republic recognizes that the world drug problem continues to evolve and generate profound impacts on public health, citizen security, social well-being, and the environment. These challenges require integrated, balanced responses that are based on scientific evidence, in full conformity with human rights and the principle of common and shared responsibility. The Dominican Republic would like to reiterate its commitment to protect citizens and contribute to regional security, combating networks of drug traffickers which represent a threat for peace and development. We take action within international law and cooperation agreements that strengthen maritime security both on a national and regional level. Our government continues to work along with allied countries, with common responsibility and determination in the fight against drug trafficking and the severe consequences that this generates in our societies. Between 2020 and 2025, our country achieved historic seizures and has significantly strengthened our institutional and operative capacities. Operations are deployed in airports, ports, borders, coasts, and across all of the national territory. The National Directorate for Drug Control in 2025 seized 31,294 kilos and, with the support of other allied countries, another 17,041 kilos of illegal drugs, which in total was 48,335 kilos of different drugs. The Dominican Republic would like to reiterate its commitment to strengthening international cooperation in the fight against synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances, highlighting the need to consolidate subregional coordination mechanisms that respond to the specific characteristics of the Caribbean. In this framework, we would like to highlight participation in the recent regional seminar organized by the European programs El Pacto 2.0 and Alcorca, where Caribbean countries exchanged experiences, methodologies, and shared challenges. The proliferation of synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances is a growing threat. In response, the Dominican Republic has adopted concrete measures, including the creation of a specialized department for synthetic drugs and the adoption of the Presidential Decree 585-24, which made a national priority of the strategy on synthetic drugs and the strengthening of precursor control in line with Article 12 of the Convention of 1988. We have also strengthened our capacity for control thanks to UNODC programmes such as AIRCORP, the Global Container Control Programme and the Global Programme for Maritime Crime. In addition, we would like to make the following pledge for action regarding our international commitments for drug control. The Dominican Republic is committed, up to 2028, to strengthening national policies, preventing the use of drugs and for early intervention, with particular attention being paid to children, adolescents, vulnerable populations through the implementation of programs based on scientific evidence and international standards. The country will promote the integration of a public health approach in its national drug strategies, strengthening timely access to guidance services as well as treatment and rehabilitation, as well as exchanging best practices and technical cooperation with international organizations and member states. Thank you very much, Chair.


Armenia · Chair [1:04:00]:

Thank you very much. Now I have a pleasure to invite Ms. Fatou Aglikou Besin Konouny, Counselor, Permanent Mission of Burkina Faso. Please, you have the floor.


Burkina Faso · Counselor, Permanent Mission [1:04:15]:

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Chair. I would like to congratulate you on your election to steer the proceedings of this session. We have sent the long version of this statement to the Secretariat for publication. Burkina Faso endorses the statement by the African Group and would like to add the following in a national capacity. Burkina Faso reiterates its commitment to the three international drug control conventions. These conventions are pillars of efficient international cooperation so as to overcome the world drug problem. Chair, Burkina Faso is making significant efforts related to prevention, including the prevention of the manufacture of trafficking and consumption of drugs. When it comes to strengthened border control, we've received some very compelling results. In 2024, my country carried out record seizures of drugs, with over 133 tonnes seized. Moreover, In 2025, the judiciary was able to condemn and sentence several people who were involved in transporting high-risk drugs internationally. I would like to note that we are raising awareness among our population through the adoption of a new National Plan of Action 2025-2029 and a National Drug Control Strategy spanning the years 2026 and 2030. In 2025, the state also enhanced its health services, allowing for us to care for over two and a half thousand persons with dependence. Bocanabe civil society organizations have organized awareness raising sessions which have benefited thousands of people. A delegation led by the Ministry of Security participated in a multi-party regional dialogue, a high-level dialogue entitled Mapping the Future of Drug Markets in West Africa: Synthetic Drugs, Cocaine, and Strategic Responses. This was held in Accra, Ghana, in 2025, and we committed to implementing the call for action. In this regard, I would like to commend UNODC, Belgium, and the AU Commission on organizing jointly the regional consultation on access to and availability of controlled substances for medical purposes and scientific purposes in Africa, held on 3 October 2025, as part of the initiative No Patient Left Behind. Chair, Burkina Faso would like to underscore the intrinsic link between drug trafficking and the financing of terrorist groups which are operating in the Sahel. For this reason, my country calls on all Member States to genuinely and sincerely commit to ending the production of and trafficking in harmful drugs of all kinds. We would like to reiterate the importance of international cooperation, of capacity building, and tailored technical assistance, in particular for developing countries. Thank you.


Armenia · Chair [1:07:50]:

Thank you very much. I would also like to thank the representative of Burkina Faso for sharing the longer version of a statement online. And I would like to take this opportunity once again to remind everyone what it has been our agreement to speak within the limits of three minutes. Several delegations went well beyond that time frame, and I don't think that it is conducive neither to our prior agreement nor to those delegations which have been trying to remain within the time allotted to their statement. So please be mindful of the time and the constraints that we are working here under. With this, I would like to give the floor to the next speaker, Mr. Rahman Jafri, Chargé d'Affaires, Permanent Mission of Iraq. Please, Excellency, you have the floor.


Iraq · Chargé d'Affaires [1:08:46]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, ladies and gentlemen, allow me at the outset to congratulate you on behalf of the delegation of Iraq on your election as Chair of the 69th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. I also congratulate the other members of the Bureau. I would like to express our sincere thanks to the Secretariat for its preparation and organization of this session. I would like to congratulate Ms. Monica Juma on her appointment as Executive Director of the UNODC and Director-General of the UN Office at Vienna, wishing her all success. My delegation aligns itself with the statements made on behalf of the Group of 77 and China and Asia-Pacific Group. Ladies and gentlemen, the Republic of Iraq adopted in 2025 a national anti-drug strategy extending until 2030. The strategy is based on a balanced approach to reduce both supply and demand, as any imbalance in this equilibrium would render our efforts ineffective. Reducing supply is not limited to seizing shipments or dismantling drug trafficking networks. It also includes enhancing international and regional cooperation, exchanging information and judicial follow-ups, and securing our shared borders. On the other hand, reducing demand can only be achieved by developing early detection mechanisms and raising community awareness to recognize the signs of drug use and deal with them responsibly. The Iraqi government has intensified its legal measures against traffickers and dismantled their criminal networks locally and internationally. At the same time, the government has sought to establish treatment clinics and specialized rehabilitation centers to provide a treatment environment that preserves human dignity and offers a real opportunity for reintegration into society. This approach was not a tactical choice. but part of a comprehensive vision that believes that community security is rooted in protection rather than punishment. Based on this vision, Iraq has dealt with the drug issue through strict measures, avoiding any simplification or partial measures. This is based on a firm conviction that drug use and addiction are not merely moral deviations, but rather complex medical conditions requiring treatment, rehabilitation, and care, alongside legal firmness against organized criminal networks. Therefore, we have adopted clear strategic goals combining the humanitarian and security dimensions without prioritizing one over the other. Our measures have also focused on community awareness, as the responsibility for combating drugs does not rest solely with the State, but is a shared responsibility that includes individuals, the family, educational institutions, the media, the private sector, and civil society organizations. We have promoted this concept through awareness campaigns, training programs, and coordination efforts aimed at building a vigilant society capable of protecting itself and supporting state institutions in fulfilling their duties. Distinguished guests, at the international level, Iraq has spearheaded diplomatic and security efforts, which culminated in the holding of three international conferences on drug control in Baghdad, with the participation of neighboring countries, regional states, and relevant international organizations. These conferences produced important recommendations that contributed to opening effective communication channels for the exchange of information and expertise and enhancing mutual trust in combating drugs and organized crime. Efforts have also been made to carry out controlled deliveries as an advanced security tool in coordination with relevant international bodies in line with the provisions of the 1988 Convention. This method has allowed us to track criminal networks across borders and capture the masterminds instead of merely arresting lower-level criminals, marking a qualitative step in our performance and effectiveness. In closing, Iraq will continue its efforts to expand international and regional cooperation in confronting drugs, reducing their threat, continuing our joint action, exchanging expertise and working together towards safe societies and generations free from addiction, capable of contributing to their own communities. Thank you, Mr. Chair.


Armenia · Chair [1:14:04]:

Thank you. And now I have a pleasure to give a floor to Ms. Abir Jamal, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Jordan. Please, you have a floor.


Jordan · Deputy Permanent Representative [1:14:14]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. At the outset, I wish to congratulate you on your election as the Chair of the 69th session of the CND. Mr. Chair, Jordan aligns itself with the statement delivered by G77 and China and wishes to make the following remarks in its national capacity. Jordan remains deeply concerned by the evolving nature of the world drug problem, particularly in our region, where instability and conflict have enabled the emergence of sophisticated networks engaged in illicit drugs. production, trafficking, and related criminal activities. In the context of the Syrian crisis, the proliferation of drug production infrastructure and the transfer of know-how to non-state actors and criminal groups have significantly intensified cross-border trafficking. These developments not only threaten public security, but also contribute to broader patterns of transnational organized crime. Jordan continues to work closely with the Syrian authorities to enhance cooperation in addressing these challenges. While tangible steps have been taken, the scale and complexity of the situation requires sustained international engagement and comprehensive support to enable Syria to effectively confront drug production and trafficking networks and to advance stability. Mr. Chair, Jordan also wishes to highlight the shifting nature of drug markets and patterns of consumption. The rapid expansion of synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances has transformed the drug landscape, making illicit substances more accessible and increasingly difficult to control. This trend presents serious public health and societal challenges that require integrated and balanced responses. At the national level, Jordan has prioritized prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs alongside awareness initiatives aimed at protecting communities, particularly youth. These efforts reflect our commitment to a balanced approach addressing both supply and demand dimensions of the problem. Nevertheless, The scale and complexity of the current trends underscore that national efforts alone are insufficient. Strengthened international cooperation, enhanced coordination, and sustained capacity building remain essential to effectively respond to the evolving drug situation. We therefore reiterate the importance of genuine partnerships and joint endeavours grounded in shared responsibility and mutual support, particularly for countries on the front line of trafficking routes. Jordan remains fully committed to working with Member States, the United Nations system, and all relevant stakeholders to advance a comprehensive, balanced, and cooperative response to the world drug problem. Thank you, Mr. Chair.


Armenia · Chair [1:16:51]:

Thank you, and I thank you for remaining within the time frame. allotted to the speakers. Next on my list is Mr. Stephen Kituam Maiorori, Chairperson, National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Kenya. Please, you have the floor.


Kenya · Chairperson, National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse [1:17:08]:

Thank you.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of my delegation. Kenya warmly welcomes with profound gratitude the appointment of Ambassador Dr. Monica Juma as the new Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna. We congratulate her for this well-deserved appointment and wish her every success in this important role. My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Group of 77 and China and the African Group. Chair, I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your election as the Chair of the 69th session of the Commission, as well as the other elected members of the Bureau. I assure you of my delegation's support and cooperation during the session. Kenya also wishes to commend the UNODC Secretariat for the excellent preparation for this session. While we are pleased to participate in this year's session, we do so with a strong sense of urgency and responsibility. My delegation is alive to the escalating world drug problem whose consequences are harsh and unforgiving. Indeed, we are witnesses of the insecurities occasioned by the illicit drug trafficking, drug-related crimes, including money laundering, human rights violations, health complications, overdoses, and the personal struggles of persons dependent on drugs and the pain it causes those around them. Chair, recent global trends demonstrate that more people than ever before are using drugs in their diverse forms. We are faced with an aggressive onslaught from drug barons on a mission for profits. They will therefore go into lengths to ensure a steady supply of illicit drugs, as evidenced by the increasing number of new psychoactive substances, including fentanyl. This is coupled by the dark net that is luring young people to drug use through anonymous and encrypted transactions. Other evolving trends include the obvious misuse of pharmaceutical drugs for non-medical purposes, that is, drugging many people into dependence. These evolving trends present a paradigm shift in countering the world drug problem, along with its complex associated challenges. Chair, the future will hold us accountable if we fail to effectively respond to the evolving challenges posed by the world drug problem. We must therefore harness our collective efforts and ensure a balanced approach between supply and demand reduction, as outlined in the UNGASS outcome document, and the 2019 ministerial statement on implementation of a balanced, integrated, comprehensive, multidisciplinary and scientific evidence-based responses that focus on safety, health and well-being of members of society, in particular the youth and the children. Kenya remains firmly committed to the full implementation of the three international conventions on drug control. These documents, developed through consensus, remain the cornerstone of the international drug control system, providing the necessary framework for coordinated international action. We must therefore anchor all our efforts on the established framework, seeking not to overhaul the system, but to improve on it through increased international cooperation, capacity building of critical professions and provision of equipment and technology to identify and detect illicit trafficking. Kenya stands ready to work with like-minded organizations in addressing the illegal production and trade in drugs. This is in recognition of the agreed commitment that the world drug problem is a common and shared responsibility requiring sustained regional and international cooperation. Chair, as I conclude, allow me to once again appreciate your leadership and the work of the Secretariat, and to further assure you.

Of our support and participation of my delegation.

We recognize the importance of this forum as a platform for Member States to review progress, identify challenges, and chart a way forward in accelerating the full implementation of all international commitments in countering the drug problem. Thank you very much for giving me the floor.


Armenia · Chair [1:21:52]:

Thank you. I have a pleasure to invite Mr. Sujiv Kofalawala, Director General of the National Dangerous Drug Control Board of Sri Lanka. Please, you have the floor.


Sri Lanka · Director General, National Dangerous Drug Control Board [1:22:06]:

Mr. Chair, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, Sri Lanka congratulate to the Chair of 69th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. and other elected members of the Bureau. Also, the Sri Lanka delegation extends its fullest support and cooperation to the Chair to effectively carry out proceedings throughout the meeting. Mr. Chair, The Government of Sri Lanka highly appreciates the CND, INCB, and the UNODC for their generous support and technical guidance in the implementation of national effort to effectively counter the drugs problem in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka places a strong emphasis on prevention as a core pillar of its drug control strategy. Through the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, evidence-based prevention education and training programs are implemented island-wide. with priority given to strengthening the capacity of different target groups to reduce drugs demand and related harms. Prevention interventions are implemented across six sectors: school-based, youth-based, family-based, workplace-based, media-based, and environmental-based programmes. Sri Lanka is steadily expanding voluntary right-based treatment and rehabilitation services, with special priority given to community-based treatment models. These approaches allow individuals with substance use disorders to access care while remaining connected to their families, workplace, and social support system. In parallel, residential rehabilitation capacity is being strengthened to ensure continuity of care through integrated biopsychosocial approach. The Government of Sri Lanka has allocated adequate budgetary provisions through the year 2025 and 2026 budget proposal to further expand national residential treatment capacity, with a significant recent step taken to enhance service of persons seeking treatment voluntarily. In addition, a comprehensive National Strategy Plan for Treatment and Rehabilitation has been developed through a multi-stakeholder consultative process, and is being implemented under the direct supervision of His Excellency the President, reflecting Sri Lanka’s strong political commitment to a balanced humans and evidence-based drug treatment framework. Sri Lanka continues to strengthen supply reduction efforts through intelligence and evidence-based law enforcement operations. Sri Lanka remains firmly committed to regional and international cooperation in drugs control demand reduction, including hosting regional meetings such as the BIMSTEC subgroup meeting, convening international symposiums, and actively participation in regional and global forum, while providing policy inputs to the UNODC and INCB, in full support of international drugs control treaties and multilateral system. Mr. Chair, Sri Lanka reaffirm its commitment to International Drugs Control Convention and continued cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. the International Narcotic Control Board, and the CND. Thank you.


Armenia · Chair [1:26:25]:

Thank you. Now I have a pleasure to invite Mr. Željko Petković, Assistant Director, Croatian Institute of Public Health. Please, you have the floor.


Croatia · Assistant Director, Croatian Institute of Public Health [1:26:38]:

Mr. Chairperson, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Croatia fully aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union. We reaffirm our strong commitment to the full, effective and balanced implementation of the 3 international drug control conventions, in line with international human rights obligations and the commitments undertaken in 2019. The global drug situation continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. In Croatia, as across Europe, we are witnessing increasing polysubstance use. diversification of stimulant markets and the persistent emergence of new psychoactive substances. These developments pose serious risks to public health, including drug-related deaths and acute health emergencies. In line with the EU approach, Croatia promotes a health-centred drug policy, ensuring access to voluntary evidence-based prevention, treatment, harm reduction and social reintegration services. Prevention, particularly among young people and vulnerable groups, remains one of our strategic priorities. We continue to provide broad access to opiate agonist treatment and community-based harm reduction services, including needles and syringe programs. At the same time, We are investing in innovative responses, including digital and outreach interventions, to reach populations that might otherwise remain outside institutional support systems. However, we cannot overlook the security dimension. The links between drug trafficking, organized crime, and the misuse of digital technologies are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Addressing these challenges requires enhanced international cooperation, timely information exchange and coordinated action across health, justice, and law enforcement sectors. Croatia supports proportionate response to drug-related offences, including alternatives to coercive sanctions for minor offences where appropriate, and acknowledges the importance of integrating gender-sensitive and human rights-based approaches into drug policy. We remain committed to constructive cooperation within this Commission and with UNODC, WHO, and other partners in advancing a balanced, evidence-based, and forward-looking response to the world drug problem. Thank you very much.


Armenia · Chair [1:29:20]:

Thank you. Now I have a pleasure to invite Mr. Anafonios Theocharis, National Coordinator for Addictions, President of National Organization for Prevention and Addiction Treatment of Greece. Please.


Greece · National Coordinator for Addictions; President, National Organization for Prevention and Addiction Treatment [1:29:36]:

Dear Chair, Excellencies, this is WIST delegates. It's an honor for Greece to address to the 69th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. The global drug landscape is evolving rapidly. Synthetic drugs, new psychoactive substances, and highly potent opioids are increasingly health risks and creating complex challenges. Our response must be agile, evidence-based, and firmly grounded in public health and human rights. Greece, in line with the European Union, supports a balanced and comprehensive approach, equally addressing to both demand and supply reduction. Prevention, treatment, harm reduction, rehabilitation, social reintegration are not secondary measures. They are long-term investments in public health, social cohesion, and human dignity. To design effective policies, we must invest in research, new technology, and knowledge. Artificial intelligence, a new entry to our lives, advanced data analytics, and digital monitoring tools can help detect emerging patterns, analyze toxicological data, identify online trafficking trends, as well as strengthen early risk assessments. New technology should be integrated horizontally into our substance and access, into our strategies and to reinforce both prevention and response. Early warning system and drug checking services are equally critical. Timely and scientifically sound data allow us to rapidly identify new substances and assess their risks. Allow me to share a brief example from Greece. We have strengthened cooperation between drug checking services and university toxicology laboratories. Through systematic analysis of overdose cases and substance residues, we can detect new psychoactive substances and synthetic opioids at an early stage. This real-time monitoring enables targeted prevention campaigns, timely public health warnings, and adapted harm reduction responses. However, no national system is efficient alone. New substances cross-border rapidly, and online markets operate globally. International cooperation must therefore be strengthened by regional and global level. We need structured information exchange, interoperability in early warning system, shared indicators, and coordinated capacity building. Standardized and comparable data covering both health and security indicators are essential for meaningful evaluation and collective action. Sustainable and predictable Funding is equally critical, particularly for prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and the protection of vulnerable populations such as migrants. Above all, respect of human rights must remain at the core of our policies. Access to health services, proportional responses, and the involvement of civil society are fundamental to effective drug strategies. Excellencies, New technology and science provide tools. What we require is strong political commitment and multilateral cooperation. Greece stands ready to work with all partners to advance a comprehensive, evidence-based, and human rights-centered response to the world drug problem. Thank you very much.


Armenia · Chair [1:33:54]:

Thank you. And now I have a pleasure to invite His Excellency Mr. Juan Francisco Facetti Fernández, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Paraguay. Excellency, you have the floor.


Paraguay · Ambassador and Permanent Representative [1:34:07]:

Excellency, good afternoon. Buenas tardes.

Good afternoon. On behalf of the Republic of Paraguay, we would like to congratulate His Excellency Ambassador Adjanik Hovassian. President from the Republic of Armenia for being elected to preside over this period of sessions. You can count on the full support of my delegation to ensure the success of your work. We would also like to extend a warm greeting to Executive Director and to all delegations present here at the 69th period of sessions of the CND. The full version of this speech will be Paragray would like to reiterate its strong support for the work of this Commission and its central role in the coordination of international efforts to tackle the world drugs problem. We would like to reiterate our commitment to implementing the agreements contained within the Ministerial Declaration of 2019 and the final document from UNGASS 2016. Within our national policy for tackling the world drugs problem, My country is actively participating in regional mechanisms such as CICAD, from the Organization of American States, and the Specialized Meeting of Application Authorities when it comes to drugs in Mercosur. These spaces help to strengthen state capacities in reducing supply and demand of illegal drugs, as well as promoting comprehensive and sustainable alternative development, in particular among vulnerable communities. Paraguay We would like to reiterate that the world drugs problem should be dealt with under the principle of common and shared responsibility. In this context, international cooperation and technical assistance are key, in particular for developing countries without a coastline, such as Paraguay. With the support of bilateral and multilateral partners, Paraguay continues to build national capacity to combat production and illegal trafficking of drugs. while also promoting alternatives for sustainable development. In this sense, Paraguay is promoting the establishment of a UNODC programme office in Asunción, which will help to strengthen regional coordination and broaden international cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking and transnational organised crime. Similarly, we would like to highlight bilateral cooperation with various strategic partners. In particular, collaboration with the USA has strengthened through specialized capacity building programs, transfer of technology, and exchanging information and intelligence to tackle drug trafficking, money laundering, and other manifestations of organized crime. Paraguay also has close cooperation with Brazil, in particular through Operation Alianza. aimed at eradicating illegal marijuana crop. These actions have significantly helped to weaken criminal structures and to protect sensitive environmental areas. The Government of Paraguay would like to reiterate our commitment to the fight against drug trafficking and associated crime. When it comes to reducing demand, we've strengthened preventive programs aimed at students and vulnerable communities. These actions are coordinated around the SUMAR Plan of Action, which includes efforts from central government, local authorities, and civil society organizations. In parallel, Paraguay will continue to build capacity when it comes to banning and control, which is reflected in record seizures of illegal drugs over the past few years. We have also strengthened controls at ports and as part of supply chains, significantly reducing the use of our country for transporting cocaine towards European markets and other destinations. With the support of the UNODC, we have also made progress in strengthening our capacities for the safe management and final disposal of drugs and other seized chemical substances, reducing risks for public health, security, and the environment. Paraguay will also continue consolidating its early warning system on drugs with the goal of improving detection and responses when it comes to new psychoactive substances and synthetic drugs. Finally, Paraguay is making progress in implementing its comprehensive and sustainable alternative development policies, promoting initiatives linked to the value chain for medicinal cannabis, which generates legal economic opportunities for rural communities. Chair, Paraguay would like to reiterate its commitment to complying with the three international drug control conventions and to the work of this Commission. Thank you very much.


Armenia · Chair [1:39:12]:

Thank you. And now I have a pleasure to invite His Excellency Mr. Baharat Kumar Regmi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nepal. Please, you have the floor.


Nepal · Ambassador and Permanent Representative [1:39:29]:

Mr. Chair, allow me to express my congratulations on your election as the Chair of this session, and to the other members of the Bureau for their respective elections. I assure you of my delegation's full support. While aligning itself to the statement delivered by the G7/7 in China and the Asia-Pacific Group, Nepal wishes to add the following points in its national capacity: We thank the Executive Director for his comprehensive report on the activities of the UNODC and other relevant reports. We also thank UNODC for publishing the World Drug Report. 2025, which explores the complex intersections of illicit drug economies, environmental crimes, and insecurity. Mr. Chair, Nepal reiterates its commitment to all three international drug control conventions. Nepal is also committed to implementing the goals set by the 2019 Ministerial Declaration and the 2009 Political Declaration and its Plan of Action. Nepal believes that it is crucial to intensify our efforts collectively and globally to combat this complex, old drug problem. Nepal has enacted necessary legal and policy measures which provide a comprehensive legal framework to regulate the production, sale, and consumption of narcotic drugs in Nepal. Our policies strategically address various facets of drug control, encompassing supply control, demand reduction, treatment, and rehabilitation. risk reduction, research and development, collaboration and partnership, as well as resource mobilization. These policy measures also emphasize a social integrative program promoting a cohesive societal environment to combat drug-related challenges effectively. Nepal has implemented effective regulatory practices for precursor chemicals, establishing a closely monitored system overseen by the Chief Narcotic Controller. Nepal is closely working with the International Narcotics Control Board for the establishment of the National Target Center within the concerned government authority in Nepal in order to share data and information on drug abuse and trafficking, especially the synthetic drugs and precursors. Mr. Chair, we request UNODC, other relevant UN entities, and international community to provide appropriate technical cooperation to developing countries, particularly the LDCs, to tackle drug issues while ensuring the implementation of SDGs. Thank you, Mr. Chair.


Armenia · Chair [1:42:13]:

Thank you. Now I have a pleasure to invite Mr. Petru Munteanu, Head of International Relations and Funded Programmes, National Agency for Policies and Coordination in the Field of Drugs and Addiction, Romania. Please.


Romania · Head of International Relations and Funded Programmes, National Agency for Policies and Coordination in the Field of Drugs and Addiction [1:42:31]:

Mr. Chair, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates and Representatives of Civil Society, Romania aligns itself fully with the statement.

Delivered by the European Union. In addition, I have the honour to deliver a few remarks in my national capacity.

Mr. Chair, The drug phenomenon is complex, dynamic, and interconnected.

Drug trafficking remains a major global threat.

We need to strengthen international cooperation, allocate more funds, share more information in a timely manner, and focus more on joint teams and task forces, in order to be one step ahead of the drug traffickers. My country also recognizes the importance of strengthening judicial cooperation as an essential element in combating drug trafficking. Effective cooperation shortens the duration of procedures for obtaining evidence and information, and enables the timely resolution of criminal investigations related to drug trafficking. Another important issue of concern is the timely and harmonized inclusion of new psychoactive substances in national legislation.

Romania is currently facing an increase in the demand of these substances, reflected in the intensification of.

Activities related to their import and sale. In this context, we support a coherent and unified framework that ensures the rapid transposition of internationally controlled NPS into national legislation, while reducing differences between Member States regarding the moment these substances are incorporated into the legal definition of the term "drug". Mr. Chair, dismantling the drug trafficking networks is not our only mission. We have the responsibility to offer good treatment, assistance, and prevention programmes to our society. In this regard, we should remind ourselves that the civil society plays an important role in implementing strong and complex prevention campaigns.

Romania is keen on.

Supporting national NGOs with a structural framework that aligns with the international standards and with proper funding in this regard. Taking this into consideration, I would like to use the UNODC Pledge for Action platform in order to further strengthen this commitment.

Therefore.

With a view to enhancing the implementation of all international drug policies.

Commitments and in addressing the challenges that services provided by NGOs and civil society in the strategic priority areas of prevention and assistance, including harm reduction services, are too often discontinued due to a lack.

Of resources, I pledge for Romania to decisively strengthen the capacity of civil society to respond to this challenge.

By implementing a permanent and targeted national programme for vulnerable groups.

Romania therefore pledges to provide financial contribution to qualified NGOs capable of delivering sustainable, high-quality services at regional and national level, with the clear objective of countering the disruption of prevention and assistance interventions and ensuring their long-term continuity.

In a strong affirmation of trust and partnership with civil society, Romania further commits to opening a new chapter of cooperation by supporting innovative and impactful.

Initiatives that will be financed and launched by the end of this year.

Thank you, Chair.


Armenia · Chair [1:45:46]:

Thank you. Now I have a pleasure to give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Tawfik Hassan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh. Please, Excellency, you have the floor.


Bangladesh · Ambassador and Permanent Representative [1:46:00]:

Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, let me first congratulate Ambassador Andronik of Armenia on his election as the chair of the session, and also the other elected members of the Bureau. We fully align with the statements delivered on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and the Asia-Pacific Group. In my national capacity, I would like to add the following: Bangladesh, under the able leadership of our newly elected Prime Minister, Tarek Rahman, remains steadfast in its commitment to the three international drug control conventions. We align ourselves fully with the balanced approach of supply reduction, demand reduction, and international cooperation. As reaffirmed in the 2019 Ministerial Declaration and the 2024 Mid-Term High-Level Review. As a transit and destination country, Bangladesh faces severe challenges from transnational organized crime networks. Our geographic proximity to major production areas, porous borders, and evolving trafficking routes continue to fuel the influx of illicit substances, particularly methamphetamine, in the form of yaba and crystal methamphetamine, known as ice. To counter this, seizures by our Department of Narcotics Control and law enforcement agencies remain significant, with large quantities of yaba tablets intercepted regularly. These drugs primarily target vulnerable youth, including students, intensifying social harms, crime, and public health burdens. Mr. Chair, under the Narcotics Control Act 2018, Bangladesh has strengthened its legal framework with enhanced penalties, improved precursor controls, and provisions for treatment and rehabilitation. We have established dedicated treatment centers and rehabilitation programs, emphasizing voluntary access, harm reduction elements, and reintegration of recovered individuals into society. In this regard, we commend UNODC's ongoing support through capacity-building initiatives, including training for frontline officers in drug identification, interdiction techniques, and inter-agency coordination under programs such as the Passenger and Cargo Control Program (PCCP). While supply control efforts yield results, we recognize that no country can succeed in isolation. Transnational trafficking demands enhanced regional and international cooperation. Therefore, Bangladesh calls for strengthening intelligence sharing and joint operations among South and Southeast Asian states to target precursor chemicals and trafficking corridors. Greater technical assistance and resource support from UNODC and member states to equip developing countries with modern detection tools, forensic capabilities, and data analytics. and balance attention to both supply and demand reduction. Mr. Chair, we reiterate our support for multilateralism within the CND framework to counter the world drug problem. At the same time, we urge all States, through this Commission, to ensure sustainable and sufficient resources for the UNODC to increase its capacity-building initiatives, programmes and activities, particularly for developing countries.

Bangladesh stands ready to work with the international community to.

Build a safer, healthier, and more prosperous world free from the curse of drugs. I thank you, Mr. Chair.


Armenia · Chair [1:49:51]:

Thank you. And now I have a pleasure to give the floor to Mr. Peter Foldi. Policy Officer, Ministry of Interior, Department for European Health, Social and Educational Affairs, Unit for International and EU Legal Compliance of Hungary. Please, sir.


Hungary · Policy Officer [1:50:08]:

Distinguished Chair, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to speak on this occasion on behalf of Hungary. Hungary is fully aligned with the statement delivered by the European Union. Please allow me to provide a few words in our national capacity. Mr. Chair, Hungary has always been a committed party to the three drug control conventions. The role of the CND is essential since it ensures uniform, coordinated, and effective interpretation of these treaties. For this reason, the Government of Hungary would like to express its appreciation for the work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Narcotics Control Board, and the WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence. These bodies play a vital role in keeping the conventions fit for purpose. Therefore, it is regrettable that the functioning of these bodies has been compromised due to the lack of resources. We rely on these institutions as mediators between the parties of the conventions in case of disputes between national competent authorities. Thus, it is essential to ensure that they can fulfill their functions. In addition to the implementation of the treaties, Another function of the CND is of equal importance, namely to provide a forum for the convergence of drug policies. Policy responses among parties are often divergent due to the differences in the patterns of international drug trafficking. The CND provides an opportunity to discuss different approaches and to identify workable solutions. We should keep the Vienna spirit and ensure that the discussion at the CND maintains its mutual, constructive and cooperative character. Finally, please allow me to commend the work of the European Union, the European Commission, sorry, on adopting the European Union's new drug strategy framework. We believe that the strategy reflects the core principles of creating effective science and evidence-based drug policy measures with the full respect of human rights. while it also addresses the most urgent challenges regarding the fight against organized drug trafficking. Hungary is strongly supporting these goals and principles. Thank you for the attention.


Armenia · Chair [1:52:38]:

Thank you. Now I have a pleasure to invite His Excellency Mr. Günther Gränzer, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sovereign Order of Malta. Please, you have the floor.


SMOM · Ambassador and Permanent Representative [1:52:50]:

Thank you. Chairperson, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, The Sovereign Order of Malta is honored to participate in the 69th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. We extend our sincere appreciation to you. And to UNODC for your dedicated preparation and for the leadership you provide in addressing the world drug problem. For more than 950 years, the Sovereign Order of Malta has served as one of the world's oldest humanitarian institutions. Our mission is to safeguard health and to support those living in conditions of vulnerability, illness, and marginalization. World Order remains firmly committed to its neutral, impartial, and apolitical character. Narcotic drugs continue to represent one of the most serious challenges for populations worldwide. The World Drug Report 2025 indicates that 316 million people use drugs in 2023, excluding alcohol and tobacco. This corresponds to 6% of the global population aged from 15 to 64. In 2021, more than half a million people died as a result of drug use disorders, and 28 million healthy years of life were lost due to disability and premature death linked to such disorders. In addition, illicit drug trade generates hundreds of billions of US dollars per year. although precise estimates vary due to the hidden nature of the market. The Sovereign Order of Malta attaches great importance to its long-standing cooperation with UNODC, particularly in the areas where assistance is most urgently required. The World Drug Report warns that new groups of vulnerable people fleeing hardship, instability, conflict, and increasingly at risk of drug use. We remain committed to the UNODC's Youth Initiative and the Youth Forum, which empowers young people to contribute to prevention efforts within their communities. We welcome the initiative's growing focus on digital literacy and responsible online engagement, recognizing the influence of digital environments on youth well-being. The Sovereign Order of Malta remains dedicated to advancing the safe and healthy development of young people. We support efforts that enable youth to protect the well-being of their peers and to participate meaningfully in the policy dialogue. We also encourage continued cooperation between young representatives and policymakers, including through innovative formats that allow for sustained exchange below this annual session. At the same time, we are deeply concerned about the profound dangers posed by illicit drugs. Substance use disorders undermine public health, erode social cohesion, and disproportionately affect those already facing vulnerability. Young people, especially those in unstable or disadvantaged environments, are at heightened risk of exploitation and long-term harm. Addressing these challenges requires sustained international cooperation, evidence-based prevention, and a strong commitment to human dignity. In closing, the Sovereign Order of Malta reaffirms its readiness to collaborate in all just, human, and forward-looking efforts to confront the world drug problem and to promote a society free from the harms of illicit drugs. Thank you so much.


Armenia · Chair [1:56:48]:

Thank you. Now I have a pleasure to give the floor to Mr. Michael Camilleri, Chief Rule of Law, Accountability, and Civic Space Branch of, excuse me. Sorry, there is a change of a speaker, which is not indicated still. Zaved Mahmud from OHCHR, right?


OHCHR [1:57:12]:

Yes.


Armenia · Chair [1:57:13]:

Please, sir, you have the floor.


OHCHR [1:57:16]:

Good afternoon. Thank you very much, Chair, for giving us the floor. Excellencies, objective of responding effectively to drugs and illicit drug trade is clear and shared. Nonetheless, drug use continue to rise, death related to drug use continue to mount, drug gangs continue to profit and proliferate, and too many lives are being ruined, not just by drug use itself, but also by consequences of counterproductive policy that prioritise punishment over people. As the High Commissioner for Human Rights has said, evidence is clear: the so-called war on drugs is not working. And it has failed and utterly failed. This year marked the 10th anniversary of UNGASS 2016, which led to a collective commitment from all states to uphold their human rights obligations in drug control efforts. So it is an opportune moment to ask: how are we doing? In some ways, the answer is yes. We have seen several state-initiated drug policy reform based on evidence, human rights, and public health. 112 countries now have explicit reference to harm reduction in national policy document. Over 30 countries and several other jurisdiction around the world have adopted some sort of legal reform to remove criminalization of certain activities related to drug use. These are some little progress, but on the whole, progress has been slow and incomplete. The war on drugs continue to stigmatize communities and subject them to mass incarceration and violence, with impacts felt disproportionately by certain groups, such as people of African descent. The use of the death penalty for drug-related offences continues a practice that contradicts international human rights law. And as recent evidence reminds us, drug war has come to involve frequent deployment of lethal forces. Over 150 people have reportedly been killed by strikes at alleged narco-terrorists in the Caribbean and Pacific under circumstances that our Office found to have no justification in international law. At least 121 people killed, including four police officials in a single police operation in Rio de Janeiro last October, that lead to SHR to call for full-fledged police reform and end to systematic racism. Just a few weeks back, 25 Mexican military officials died in the line of duty in operation against a cartel leader infamous for his corruption and brutality. And recently, International Criminal Court initiated the proceedings against the former president of Philippine for alleged crimes, crimes against humanity committed in the context of war on drugs in his own country. Excellency, we believe there is a better way. We believe drug policy can be both more human and more effective. It starts with prevention, reducing drug use related harm by adopting a strong public health approach, ensuring that prevention measures are evidence-based and focus realistically on reducing harmful use, and addressing root causes such as poverty, homelessness, employment insecurity, systematic discrimination. Second, harm reduction measures. Harm reduction can prevent death, save lives, and continue to the right to health. Third, decriminalization and responsible regulation in certain areas, informed by a growing body of evidence. Finally, drug policy must be embedded in rule of law and accountability. For drug control measures to be seen as legitimate and enjoy public cooperation, they cannot be seen as a war on people, often poor, marginalized people. Serious human rights violations committed in drug control efforts should be investigated promptly, independently, and impartially. Victims should receive effective remorse. Excellency, international guidelines on human rights and drug policy provide essential guidance for redoubling our effort to live up to Thank you. commitment of the Angus 26th. Thank you very much.


Armenia · Chair [2:02:31]:

Thank you, and I have a pleasure to give a floor to His Excellency Mr. Gerhard Dujak, Head of Office, Council of Europe Liaison Office in Vienna. Please, Excellency, you have a floor.


CoE · CoE · Head of Office, Liaison Office in Vienna [2:02:42]:

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Council of Europe. and would like to refer to the Council of Europe International Cooperation Group on Drugs and Addictions, Pompidou Group. The Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe reaffirms its commitment to a human rights-based, evidence-driven and holistic approach to drug policies, as set out in our 19th Ministerial Declaration. Particular importance is attached to partnership with the UNODC, a key international actor in advancing justice, security and public health. Our work programme for 2026-2029 identifies six interconnected priority areas, reflecting the evolving nature of contemporary drug challenges and the need for strengthened international cooperation. First, combating organized crime and drug trafficking through enhanced international coordination, innovative investigative approaches, and strengthened legal and policy frameworks grounded in human rights. Second, countering emerging drugs and addiction threats in online and digital environments, including online drug markets, cyber-enabled crime, and digital addictions. We support preventive, legislative and regulatory actions to disrupt illegal activities and protect children and young people. Third, advancing harm reduction, health protection and social support policies in full respect of human rights and dignity. We call on the CND to ensure that policies remain firmly rooted in health and human rights-based approaches. Fourth, mainstreaming prevention and early intervention, focusing on youth, through investment in science-based prevention and early intervention. Fifth, promoting the meaningful participation of civil society, people with living and lived experience, and relevant stakeholders to the design and implementation of drug policies. Sixth, fostering robust research, improved data collection and policy innovation to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and enhance international knowledge exchange, including with UNODC. The Pompidou Group, as a Council of Europe enlarged partial agreement, remains committed to a balanced approach that safeguards public security, protects public health, and promotes human rights. We call on all CND members and our own Member States to embrace these priorities, strengthen partnership, and work collectively towards effective, human and future-oriented drug policies, and reach out to them. The Pompidou Group will continue to work closely with UNODC and other international partners to advance the global response to drug and addictions challenges. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.


Armenia · Chair [2:05:52]:

Thank you. Now I have a pleasure to invite Ms. Angela Martins, Acting Director, Social Development, Culture and Sport, African Union. Please, you have the floor.


AU · AU · Acting Director, Social Development, Culture and Sport [2:06:06]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. I'm pleased and honored to speak on behalf of the African Union at this august gathering. Allow me to begin by acknowledging the disproportionate impact of the world drug problem on the continent, where it continues to undermine sustainable development, governance, public health, and peace and security. We reaffirm that the work of this commission must support global efforts to achieve sustainable development goals and broader global commitments to health, development, and human dignity. The vision of the African Union has articulated in the AU Agenda 2063, the Africa we want. places the health, security, and socioeconomic well-being of African citizens at the center of continental transformation. This vision is grounded in the principle of leaving no one behind and in promoting resilient, inclusive, and healthy societies. In line with this vision, the African Union has adopted a range of continental frameworks addressing drug control and crime prevention. Through these instruments, the Union continues to promote a balanced, comprehensive, and evidence-based approach to the world drug problem, one that integrates public health, law enforcement, cooperation, prevention, treatment, and sustainable development. In 2025, the African Union conducted a comprehensive evaluation of its continental drug action plan for 2019 to 2025, which identified implementation challenges, including limited financing, institutional capacity constraints, monitoring and evaluation gaps, as well as fragmented coordination mechanisms. Addressing these gaps will strengthen effective and sustainable responses to drug problems. The African Union is currently developing a successor framework to be considered by relevant AU policy organs in September 2026. This framework will further enhance national implementation, and support Member States in addressing evolving drug markets and challenges. Mr. Chairperson, allow me to conclude by underscoring the importance of regional cooperation. African Union Member States are at different stages in the development of their drug policies and often approach these challenges from diverse perspectives. The African Union provides an important continental platform for dialogue, coordination, and peer learning, enabling member states to exchange experiences, build consensus, and advance collective and coordinated responses. We remain committed to working closely with international partners and Member States to strengthen effective, balanced, and sustainable responses. I thank you.


Armenia · Chair [2:09:59]:

Thank you. Now we have a pleasure to give the floor to Mr. David Counter, Director, Organized and Emerging Crime, International Criminal Police Organization, Interpol. Please.


INTERPOL · Director, Organized and Emerging Crime [2:10:10]:

Mr. Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, Mandated by its 196 member states, Interpol works to strengthen international law enforcement cooperation across the globe. Interpol's secure global communication system, i24/7, enables real-time information exchange and access to 19 different police databases with over 168 million records. Last year, these databases were searched over 9 billion times. Interpol's role in supporting states in the implementation of the 1961 and 1988 drug conventions was recognized from the outset. As the conventions were adopted, member states were encouraged to make the best possible use of Interpol tools and channels.

This mandate is translated into practice every single day through Interpol coordinated cross-border operations, operational and investigative assistance, capacity building initiatives, and criminal threat analysis.

For example, in 2025, Interpol coordinated Operation Lionfish M3, funded by the Republic of Korea, which led to the seizure of over 76 tons of synthetic drugs, including enough fentanyl sufficient to kill almost 151 million people. Conducted across 18 countries in Asia and North America, the operation led to the urgent issuance of an Interpol Purple Notice to warn member states of a new fentanyl precursor, which was not yet regulated. This operation demonstrated how real-time international cooperation is essential to counter the evolving global drug threat. Additionally, Interpol uses these unique tools to identify new trafficking methods, and in 2025, Interpol issued 45 Purple Notices to inform member states of new concealment techniques, including heroin disguised as powdered tea in Myanmar and postal shipments of ketamine hidden inside everyday items in the Philippines.

In response to the growing expansion of transnational

organized crime, Interpol is introducing a new operational task force model to ensure direct access to Interpol expertise. With the support of Canada, Interpol will launch a Caribbean task force later this year to address polycriminal threats across multiple smuggling routes. In addition, a second task force focused on drug trafficking in Latin America will be established with the support of Brazil at the Interpol Regional Bureau in Buenos Aires. To conclude, Interpol remains committed in the fight against transnational crime, to strengthening global law enforcement cooperation, and supporting member states in fulfilling their obligations under the drug conventions.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.


Armenia · Chair [2:13:32]:

Thank you very much. Now I have a pleasure to invite Dr. Benjamin Reyes, Secretary General of Colombo Plan Secretariat.


Colombo Plan · Secretary General [2:13:50]:

Mr. Chair, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen. Over the past year, the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Program, or CPDAP, has continued to expand its global reach in both drug demand and supply reduction. With the funding support from the INL U.S. Department and voluntary contributions from member states, we have delivered extensive capacity building initiatives through the universal prevention, treatment, and recovery curricula across Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America. Over 70 in-person trainings were conducted and benefited more than 2,200 individuals. Additionally, around 6,000 professionals completed self-led and instruction-led courses. As of now, CPDAP has a total of 79 approved training providers worldwide. In 2025, Colombo Plan facilitated the Colombo Plan Asia-Pacific Youth Forum organized in collaboration with authorities in Thailand last April. CPDAP launched a new handbook titled Managing Drug Use Disorder Treatment: A Handbook for Managers in English and Spanish, and the Universal Recovery Curricula Trainers Manual in Spanish, both done in May. And finally, CPDAP launched the Universal Nurses Addiction Curricula Level 1 in June 2025. On drug supply reduction, the Colombo Plan has continued to support global efforts to detect emerging synthetic drug threats. Public health alerts were issued on the growing risk associated with nitricin toxicity and newly identified fentanyl-related substances. We provided updates on the presence of BTMPS in the drug supply and issued global alert on the discovery of tetramethylfentanyl-related substances and the orphine compounds, a new lethal class of synthetic opioids. We conducted the South Asian Regional Training on Forensic Capacity Building for Synthetic Drug Detection and Analysis.

and donated drug detection equipment

for forensic labs to Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, and Bangladesh, in partnership with the Center for Forensic Science, Research, and Education. This aims to provide foundational and intermediate level knowledge and skills for forensic chemists. We also supported major global scientific and law enforcement cooperation platforms, including the I-Tech Forensic Science Initiative of the USDA and the US-based Rx Illicit Drug Summit. These efforts underscore the importance of sustained collaboration, knowledge sharing, and technical assistance in responding effectively to rapidly evolving drug markets and their public health consequences. The Colombo Plan remains firmly committed to supporting our Member States and other interested countries and will continue to

align our

work with the global priorities to strengthen partnerships that advance efforts to address evolving challenges related to illicit drugs. Thank you, Mr. Chair.


Armenia · Chair [2:16:37]:

Thank you. Now I have a pleasure to invite Mr. Arthur Tseng, Secretary General of Amitofo Care Center International. Please, you have the floor.


ACC · Secretary General [2:16:59]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair, for giving me the floor.

Ministers, distinguished delegates, good afternoon. From control to care, as we look towards the 2029 ministerial review, we must face a sobering reality. Despite decades of investment in the war on drugs, the pipeline of vulnerable youth into the drug trade remains wide open. Traditional law enforcement targets runners and mules who are often just children with no other choice. We arrest one, and poverty immediately recruits another to fill the gap. At the Amitov Care Center, or ACC, we have seen that you cannot police your way out of a social vacancy. If we want to save the next generation, we must stop focusing on the substance and start focusing on the child. The ACC model Currently, the ACC provides full spectrum care to over 2,300 children across Africa. Our work offers a blueprint for what we call economic prevention. Based on our extensive field observations, we have identified a projected impact that is transformative. When a child is provided with stable housing and consistent nutrition, they're 85% less likely to be recruited by criminal networks. We operate on three pillars. Stability. We replace social vacancy with a secure home. Trauma-informed care. Unaddressed trauma is the primary driver of drug use. Science now proves that social and emotional learning is five times more effective than fear-based campaigns. Competitive education. By providing vocational training and language skills, we make the drug trade an uncompetitive career choice. We don't just tell them to say no. We give them a yes worth living for. The prevention dividend. The economics are clear. For every $1 invested in childhood prevention, governments save $5.4 in future costs related to crime and health care. It is actually more cost effective to provide five years of holistic care at an ACC center than to incarcerate one youth for a single year. We urge this commission to adopt a 15% pivot, reallocate 15% of drug enforcement budgets towards universal childhood protection by 2029. Let us decriminalize the victims, recognizing that minors in the trade are victims of economic coercion, and divert them to care, not sales. The 2,300 children at ACC are living proof. When a child is fed, educated, and loved, they do not need the forced refuge of narcotics. Let us move beyond control and towards care. Thank you.


Armenia · Chair [2:20:21]:

Thank you. And this was the last speaker of a general debate. Sorry, we have one more speaker, I think. They are coming. My apologies. So, I have a pleasure to invite Mr. Jason Ellich, Senior Expert, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, GTOC. Please, you have the floor.


GI-TOC · GI-TOC · Senior Expert [2:20:59]:

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I am making this statement on behalf of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. I would like to thank the Chair for giving me the floor. Since our organization came into being in 2013, the modus operandi and landscape of illicit drug trafficking and the drug policy world have both changed beyond recognition. The architecture of international drug control under the CND was constructed around a set of assumptions about how drugs are produced, how they move, and who moves them. This is reflected in the conventions and the consensus-based multilateral cooperation agreements under the CND, as well as the programs that implement its outcomes. That framework remains largely unchanged, but we live today in a new drug policy world, one shaped by the intersection of synthetic drug market expansion, the adaptive and increasingly diversified and networked collection of organized criminal groups that sustain it, the technologies that reframe it, and an altered geopolitical terrain. The 2025 Global Organized Crime Index assessed that the synthetic drug trade registered the largest year-on-year increase of any criminal market since its measurements began five years ago. No longer are drug trafficking groups the hierarchical, territorially bound organizations of popular imagination. Today they look instead like service model networks that operate in a borderless, rapidly evolving, transactional environment. International drug policy development remains, as it should, a multilateral enterprise, but we meet in an era of unprecedented strain for the system. As such, the new high level review panel of the CND has a daunting task ahead. To succeed, it must take heed of the data and trends produced by diverse sources, not just state data documenting seizures and arrests, as has too often been the case in the past. Along with the data we provide globally, I would like to highlight two regional initiatives pioneering locally led analysis and solutions. We proudly serve as the Secretariat of the East and Southern Africa Commission on Drugs, chaired by former President Mthlente of South Africa. And now we are honored to be working together with the governments of Ghana and the Netherlands, and in partnership with all West African states, to implement the Accra Call to Action, agreed by governments from all West African states at the November 2025 High-Level Dialogue in Accra, as contained in C&D Conference Room Paper 8. Both initiatives have already produced novel data and analysis of relevance to the new panel as it starts its work, and will continue to do so. Thank you.


Armenia · Chair [2:23:55]:

Thank you. And I have a pleasure now to invite Mr. Mehmet Gülyolgu, Vice President, Turkish Green Crescent Society. Please, you have the floor.


TGCS · TGCS; IFGC · Vice President, Turkish Green Crescent Society [2:24:09]:

As one of the being last speakers, distinguished chair, your excellencies, guests, delegates, esteemed colleagues, on behalf of the Turkish Green Crescent Society, which celebrated its 106th anniversary on the 5th of March during Green Crescent Week, and also on behalf of the International Federation of Green Crescents, I am honored to address this plenary. As a Swiss society organization with over a century of experience, we approach the global drug problem through a comprehensive lens of prevention, treatment, recovery, and advocacy, and coordinated globally through the International Federation of Green Crescent. While treatment and recovery remain critical, we must pivot toward a more profound recognition. Prevention is a fundamental human right. This is not merely a policy preference. it is a moral and legal imperative rooted in the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which mandates the protection of the health and welfare of humankind. Furthermore, it is a direct fulfillment of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, specifically Article 33, which obliges State Parties to take all appropriate measures to protect children from the illicit use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Every child has the right to grow up in a safe, healthy environment, free from the harms of substance use. Upholding this right requires equipping youth with the psychological resilience to navigate life's challenges. Evidence-based life skills education is the cornerstone of this defense. Through Green Crescent Addiction Prevention Training Program, we reach 10 million students from kindergarten to high school and 3 million adults to raise awareness on addiction prevention and healthy, sustainable life in collaboration with several ministries, mainly Ministry of National Education. And also without And also as another program, our Green Crescent Life Skills Training Program specifically targets the 7th grade students to build emotional regulation, self-awareness, communication skills. In partnership with the Turkish Ministry of Education, we also reached around 400,000 students in 7th grade since 2021. We are helping them to have a better decision making. Youth engagement is equally vital. In cooperation with UNODC, the sixth Youth Advocacy Forum held in Istanbul, and we brought together young leaders from 18 countries under the theme "Building Safe, Just, and Peaceful Societies through Sport." Excellencies, the Turkish Green Crescent Society, together with the IFGC, calls upon the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and all Member States to formally recognize drug prevention as a fundamental human right. We ask you to support youth-focused, evidence-based initiatives and to deepen the collaboration with civil society. By aligning our efforts with the spirit of the 1961 Convention and the mandates of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, we can foster a healthier, more resilient future for all generations. Thanks and best wishes.


Armenia · Chair [2:27:30]:

Thank you. And now I have a pleasure to give the floor to the representative of Institute RIA. Please, you have a floor.


RIA [2:27:40]:

Thank you.


Speaker 61 [2:27:41]:

Sports can also be dangerous. Be careful.

Always prepare.


RIA [2:27:51]:

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, members of civil society, we are living in unprecedented times. In Instituto Ria, we believe this is a key moment to reimagine and build a world where we can live in peace with psychoactive plants and substances for decades. The international community has invested huge sums in trying to eradicate crops, markets and consumption. However, the reality is clear: we are not going to eradicate these plants. What we have seen is the expansion of violence, criminality and punitive policies in many regions of the world. In different contexts, including in various Latin American countries like Mexico, we see how conflicts and security policies continue to be justified with the discourse of the war on drugs. This strategies. have only served to broaden punitive responses and militarization of responses, with far-reaching consequences for societies, in particular for substance users. We believe in the politicization of drug users. In many contexts, those who use substances are beginning to organize, to raise their voices, and to find a place in public spaces where our lives are directly affected. This process of politicization is a powerful tool for claiming rights and for shining a light on realities that are frequently ignored, and movements that promote more just and inclusive drug policies. Recognizing this participation does should not go against public policies, in fact, it should strengthen their legitimacy, their efficacy, and their capacity to respond to the very real needs of communities. Stigma is still one of the greatest obstacles. Many women face double or triple stigma for being drug users, for being women, for being mothers, or for belonging to racialized communities or historically marginalized communities. These intersections of discrimination increase vulnerability and limit access to health services, justice, and social protection. In this context, we must also recognize an uncomfortable reality: in many places, There is no trust between the state and drug users. For this, we need to make progress so that we have a focus on risk and damage reduction. This implies going far beyond isolated interventions and putting people at the heart of things. Today, more than ever, in a context of global uncertainty and questioning of the multilateral system, we need will and bravery on a political level to make progress and to move towards drug policy that is more humane and more just. Prohibition cannot continue to be the response. We need cutting-edge policies. Thank you very much.


Armenia · Chair [2:31:08]:

I thank Ms. Zahra Snapp for her statement. And at this point, eventually, we have exhausted the list of speakers under general debate, and that means that they are reaching to the end of this agenda item. And according to the rules of procedure, we have to give a right for those who want to exercise their right of reply. I have on my list United States of America. So I am going to give the floor to USA to exercise the right of reply in accordance with Rule 45 of the Rules of Procedure. Please, you have the floor.


United States of America [2:31:51]:

Thank you, Chair.

The United States wishes to exercise its right of reply in response to several statements made throughout the course of this agenda item.

In response to the joint statement on the death penalty, the United States objects to this unsolicited, unhelpful, and provocative political statement, and reminds this body that it has no authority to direct how sovereign member states should punish violations under their respective criminal laws. In response to remarks by China, we have been patient and clear. We expect outcomes, not endless dialogue without results. We need to see meaningful law enforcement actions ending the flow of fentanyl to the United States. We know that China has the ability to take action because we have seen it do so in the past, both in response to the world drug problem and when it is a priority to its own government. We only ask that China share our urgency and prioritize this issue now. There is no time to wait for strong action as thousands continue to die. As Director Carter stated yesterday, almost 80,000 American lives were lost to drug overdoses and poisonings last year alone. The United States has recently designated fentanyl and its precursors weapons of mass destruction because we need to halt the spread of these substances now. China needs to do more to show us that it takes our concerns about American lives seriously. This is not bullying. This is not posturing. This is saving American lives. In response to comments by several delegations on the UN-supported tool of sanctions, or so-called unilateral coercive measures, economic sanctions can be a lawful, legitimate, important, appropriate, and effective tool for responding to malign activity and addressing serious threats to peace and security. The United States is not alone in that view or in that practice. U.S. sanctions target behaviors that threaten our national security, global stability, and undermine human dignity. U.S. sanctions are not punitive; they are a tool to change behavior. They can be, and regularly are, removed if the damaging behavior stops. We recently did this in the case of Syria. U.S. sanctions programs are focused on constraining the ability of bad actors to take advantage of our financial system or threaten the United States, our allies and partners, or citizens, not on preventing bonafide humanitarian-related trade, assistance, or activities. Chair, the United States wishes to add that Cuba's statement on the embargo is false. The Cuban regime offers the same tired excuses for its own failures. Its system has never worked and everyone knows it. They should stop stalling and make the major reforms required to have a functional economy and society. They have the chance to shape their own future, but refuse to take advantage of it. Instead, they focus on justifying the dysfunctional status quo. As we have indicated previously in numerous fora, there are multiple exemptions and authorizations under the US embargo on Cuba, and the United States has, for decades, permitted the export to Cuba of agricultural products, medicine, medical devices, and other basic goods. In response to Iran, President Trump laid out clear objectives to the American people regarding what the U.S. military seeks to accomplish through these major combat operations: to defend the American people, protect our forces and partners, and ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. For decades, Iran’s support for armed proxies and terrorist organizations has destabilized the region, threatened lawful governments.

Targeted U.S.

Forces, and endangered international shipping. Iran’s continued development of advanced missile systems, combined with its refusal to abandon nuclear ambitions despite repeated diplomatic opportunities, presented a growing and unacceptable risk. The international community has long recognized the seriousness of this threat. Thank you, Chair.


Chair [2:36:40]:

Thank you. Before continuing the exercise of rights of replies, I would like to remind that yesterday we have agreed to limit our rights of replies only for two rounds, with a first statement limiting to two minutes, the second statement, second right of reply, to one minute only. I would like to ask everyone to respect this agreement. Now I have on my list for the right of reply, distinguished representative of Iran. Please, you have the floor.


Iran (Islamic Republic of) [2:37:16]:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The representative of Israeli regime in his statement before this August commission made egregious allegations against Islamic Republic of Iran, which I categorically reject. In their joint war of aggression against Iran, the US-Israeli regimes, among their war methods, have heavily focused on massive targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, which according to Iran's Foreign Minister in his 8 March letter to the UN SG, have led to the martyrdom of more than 1,300 civilians, destruction of 9,669 civilian objectives, including including 7,943 residential homes, 1,617 commercial and service centers, 32 medical and pharmaceutical centers, 65 schools and educational premises, 13 Red Cross resident buildings, and a number of energy supply infrastructure. In one case alone, at the very first day of war, 168 schoolyards aged between 7 and 12, have been martyred in their primary school as a result of the U.S. double-tap air strike, a tactic to bomb a target again after first strike so as to kill survivors and first responders too.

I have.

A big statement about the civilian objects that they have targeted and the illegality of it, but for the sake of time, I would stop about that part, and you may find my full statement in the website of our permanent mission and also Twitter. But I have something to add. The US President recently said to the Iranian people, "You asked for the help, and now you got it." Yes, we got it. freedom for our schoolgirls in the form of Hellfire missiles. As you may know, only the US and the Israeli regimes have such unique missiles in their arsenals. They are laser-guided precision missiles that only target children under the age of 10 years old, and precisely school girls. In recent years, they are used by the Israeli regime in Gaza, and the Americans and the Israeli regime in Iran, and prove their effectiveness. Yes, we got the US help, help in the form of carpet bombings and domicide, in which special bombs are used. I call these bomb the just civilian bombs, as they treat equally with all civilians and civilian objects. They are only used for widespread systematic destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure and targeting civilians. rendering the bombed areas inhabitable. They destroy everything entirely, no matter what and who they are: hospitals, ambulances, religious or historical sites, women, schoolgirls, and so on and so forth. But please don't misunderstand me. As a standard practice, the US and the Israeli regimes use such bombs responsibly. And in full conformity with international humanitarian law, they use such bombings not for committing all crimes, no, they use these methods only for committing core crimes of international concern to the international community, namely war crimes, crime of aggression, genocide, and crimes against humanity. And believe me, even the unreserved systematic support of other Western states of such crimes of the American and Israeli regime is based on their long-standing tradition of support for human rights, morality, and humanity. I can go on for a complete list of other things they've done to my nation in the names of human rights, proliferation of nuclear weapons. They have the biggest arsenal of nuclear weapons in their hands, supporting a regime which does not go to abide by NPT, join NPT, or put its arsenal under the watchdog, the IAEA, but they dare to lecture us about having nuclear weapons, which no one has any proof about it. I will stop here.


Armenia · Chair [2:42:01]:

Thank you. Now, I give the floor. Now, I give the floor to distinguished representative of Cuba for right of reply, please.


Cuba · Ambassador and Permanent Representative [2:42:19]:

Thank you very much, Chair. Allow me to use our right of reply to tackle the lies and manipulation that are being promoted in this forum about unilateral coercive measures, in particular about the blockade against Cuba. The US delegate, in his speech, avoided any mention of this new blockade against Cuba. There is a very real existence of a blockade, but this is trying to damage our revolution, we firmly condemn the escalation of the US against Cuba in January this year, the result of which is a total blockade on fuel supplies to our country. To justify this, Washington has a long list of lies which presented it presented to Cuba as a threat, which presented Cuba as a threat, which it is not. It states that we are a menace to peace, security, and stability in the region, and a malign influence against nations and peoples in North America. And so, it tries to deprive us of our resources, sovereignty, and independence. Chair, the US is also using blackmail so that other countries align themselves with this political condemnation and blockade against Cuba, for example, threats in violation of the rules. Before the international community, this is an attack against Cuba and its people, who for more than 75 years have suffered the longest economic blockade against a population. It is the right of the Cuban people to choose their political system and to live in peace under the systems as we do in Cuba. The US is not an example of democracy. Finally, Chair, we would like to make reference to the recent statement made by the US representative, denying the existence of a blockade against Cuba. In fact, the promoters of this policy of a blockade denying its destructive effects. I would invite them to revise their statements, as we must recognize the impact that it is having on all aspects of life in Cuba, as we said in our statement under item 3. Finally, we must remember that the truth and is always more powerful and will always prevail. Thank you.


Armenia · Chair [2:45:16]:

Thank you. Now I give the floor to distinguished representative of Israel for right of reply, please.


Israel [2:45:25]:

Thank you, Chair, for giving us the right of reply. Israel firmly rejects the delusional and outrageous accusations made by the representative of Iran. The Iranian regime is a source of water and instability across the Middle East. For over 47 years, it has openly called and worked towards its stated goal and the destruction of Israel. It continues to develop nuclear capabilities and long-range ballistic missiles. Sorry. while financing and arming terrorist proxies such as Hezbollah that attacks Israeli civilians every day, including today. We are also witnessing deliberate Iranian targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure. Just last week, a missile was deliberately aimed at the Israeli city of Be’She’em, striking a shelter that also serves as a synagogue where families had gathered for protection against the Iranian missiles, killing 12 civilians and wounding 60. Israel will continue to neutralize threats against its citizens and confront those who fuel terror and instability across the region. Thank you.


Armenia · Chair [2:46:53]:

Thank you. Are there any other delegations wishing to exercise the right of reply under this agenda item, agenda item 3? I see China. Please.


China [2:47:08]:

Mr. Chair, thank you very much. Just now, the representative of the United States said that China should take more effective measures to control fentanyl. I would like to make a clarification in front of the audience. While China is not facing a very severe problem concerning fentanyl, we have taken utmost efforts to control this substance. Ever since May 2015, we put the whole class of fentanyl under control. China is the first for doing so. And also, we put in control seven categories of fentanyl precursors. Last year, we made an announcement in which we put 13 fentanyl precursors into catalogs for export control. At the same time, we have been actively strengthening intelligence exchange and enforcement cooperation with the United States and other countries. We have a very clear attitude for cooperation. At the same time, we urge the U.S. to take effective measures to do a good job in solving their domestic problems, and on that basis, we can work together so as to solve the Fentanyl problem in a real manner. Thank you.


Armenia · Chair [2:48:40]:

Thank you. Are there any other delegations wishing to exercise the right of reply? I see Iran for the second right of reply. Please, Iran, you have the floor.


Iran (Islamic Republic of) [2:48:51]:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will be short a bit. This is the type of hypocrisy that I’m talking about. They have killed 70,000 people, including 23,000 children in Gaza. They have killed 1,300 civilians in Iran, and they're just now nagging about 12 civilians being killed in their country. That's the type of hypocrisy Israel is spreading. Recent tragic events confirm the true stabilizing force in the region. In the past two years, most serious crimes of international concern, including genocide, have been committed by the Israeli regime. Their authorities are wanted war criminals. I would stop here. I guess that doesn't need any more elaboration.


Armenia · Chair [2:49:56]:

Thank you. And I see Israel for the second right of reply. Please, you have the floor.


Israel [2:50:09]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Israel notes again that the representative of Iran is using fabricated lies, disinformation, and outrageous accusation, and instead of addressing the issues that we have raised, just right now, entering the UN, the group of Iranian exiles who stand here week after week for years, was talking about the prisoners that their regime is holding without access to water, health, and sanitation. The Iranian people who were celebrating in the streets in the past few weeks, and the ones here outside the UN in Vienna, know the truth, know the regime's true behavior and true murderous intents. Just recently, in the past few months, tens of thousands of Iranian protesters were murdered brutally by their own regime and their own government. No amount of rhetoric in this room and no amount of time taken in rights of replies of two minutes that take 10 minutes will clean that. Thank you, Chair.


Armenia · Chair [2:51:39]:

Thank you. If there are no any other requests for a right of reply. And I don't see any other requests for a written reply under agenda item 3. Then I would like to announce the closure of this agenda item, and we are passing to the next one. Please give us one minute for technical break to allow the speakers for the next agenda item to take the podium. Excellencies and distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, we will now start consideration of agenda item 5B on challenges and future work of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the World Health Organization in the review of substances for possible scheduling recommendations. This sub-item was added to and maintained on the agenda to assist Member States in applying the existing scheduling procedures. contained in the three international drug control conventions. Under the sub-item, the Commission will address, among other things, the ongoing challenge of identifying and detecting new psychoactive substances. I now invite Mr. Conor Crean of the Drug Laboratory and Scientific Services Branch of UNODC to introduce the item. Please, you have the floor.


UNODC · Officer, Drug Laboratory and Scientific Services Branch [2:54:07]:

Chair of the Commission, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, Over the past decade, the number of new psychoactive substances identified globally has risen steadily. More than 1,440 have now been reported to UNODC, including a record 742 individual substances reported in 2024 alone. Their emergence has been documented in 153 countries and territories, showing that very few regions remain unaffected. Many NPs produce harmful effects comparable to substances controlled under the 1961 and 1971 Conventions. Member States, through this Commission and through their national responses, have made substantial progress in protecting public health and welfare from these threats. Since 2014, the Commission has placed 89 of the most harmful, prevalent and persistent NPs under international control, with three additional substances under consideration today. The Commission has also acted decisively on chemical precursors, adding 28 precursors of amphetamine, methamphetamine, ecstasy and fentanyl to the 1988 Convention during the same time period. Across national systems, your responses to NPS have been proactive, innovative and closely aligned with international mechanisms. These achievements demonstrate what is possible when actions are guided by science, supported by evidence and implemented through strong conventions and national legal frameworks. Despite this progress, substantial challenges still confront us. New synthetic opioids continue to proliferate, with 175 currently monitored by the UNODC forensic early warning system. Ninety-eight fentanyl analogues have emerged globally, and potent nitazene opioids continue to appear alongside other high-risk opioid groups such as orpheine analogues. In the last decade, 29 of the most dangerous synthetic opioids have been scheduled, and this week the Commission will vote on recommendations to schedule two additional nitazenes. Benzodiazepines, long central to clinical practice, now present increasing risks. Their impairing effects are contributing to more cases of driving under the influence of drugs and to poly-drug use, including both NPS and controlled medicines. A decade of experience shows that scheduling works when grounded in science, supported by clear evidence, and designed for practical implementation. However, chemical precursors continue to pose persistent challenges. driven by the rise of pre-precursors, designer precursors and increasingly sophisticated clandestine laboratories. We cannot rely on scheduling alone to stay ahead of illicit manufacture. The principle that there will be no synthetic drugs without precursors must continue to guide our actions. Now more than ever, it is essential to follow science and evidence, complement international measures with innovative national approaches, build proactive rather than reactive national capacities. UNODC continues to expand its early warning work to cover both NPS and the precursors used in drug manufacture. We will continue providing the Commission, Member States, INCB and WHO with rigorous scientific information to support timely and effective responses. We will achieve this by strengthening national forensic capacity, enhancing our early warning system, and delivering tailored technical assistance to support effective implementation of CND scheduling decisions. Thank you.


Armenia · Chair [2:57:51]:

Thank you. I now give the floor to Deus Mubangizi, the Director, Health Products, Policy and Standards of the World Health Organization, to address the Commission. Please, you have the floor.


WHO · Director, Health Products, Policy and Standards [2:58:06]:

Distinguished Chair, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, The International Drug Control Conventions provide the foundation for scheduling of substances based on their therapeutic value and potential risk for harm. Under the 1961 Single Convention of Narcotic Drugs and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, controlled substances are classified in two distinct schedules, each of which carries specific regulatory obligations for member states. These conventions require national authorities to place scheduled substances under appropriate control measures and to report production, manufacture, and trade to the International Narcotic Control Board. In this context, the World Health Organization's Expert Committee on Drug Dependence plays a central role by offering evidence-based recommendations to the United Nations Secretary-General and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs regarding the level of international control needed to prevent harm to health, while ensuring drugs with medical and scientific value remain accessible for those purposes. The WHO’s overarching objectives through proposals of drug scheduling is to uphold public health by safeguarding access to controlled medicines for medical and scientific purposes, while simultaneously preventing their diversion for non-medical use. Although the conventions mandate international scheduling, national authorities retain the flexibility to classify drugs differently within their domestic frameworks and to introduce additional controls for substances not listed under the conventions. It is essential that national drug scheduling policies achieve a balanced approach. Such policies must take into account unmet clinical needs, gaps in therapeutic innovation, and the use of existing forecasting tools, and the vital role of harm reduction strategies. They must also consider the potential unintended consequences of over-restrictive controls, including disproportionate burdens that may fall upon vulnerable populations. Adjustments to scheduling may be warranted when new scientific evidence demonstrates a greater than anticipated risk of harm, or conversely, when emerging data highlight therapeutic benefits or reveal that earlier assessments of risk were overestimated. In line with good governance and public health principles, Any modifications to the scheduling of controlled medicines should be grounded in robust, context-specific scientific evidence. Moreover, such decisions must be informed by inclusive consultations that engage health authorities, professional associations, patients, and all relevant stakeholders. Importantly, Scheduling decisions should never impede access to controlled substances required for ethically approved clinical research, which is absolutely essential for evaluating the potential and real usefulness of controlled medicines. In 2025, WHO published a revised version, a revised version of its guideline on balanced national controlled medicine policies to ensure medical access and safety, which noted considerable evidence on improved safety outcomes when up scheduling controlled medicines at the national level is specific in specific contexts where strict prescribing practices have already been implemented. However, there was limited information available about the impacts that up-scheduling had on access to controlled medicines, particularly in contexts where access to safe, quality-assured medicines availability is already constrained. Therefore, Dabbecho advises that further research be carried out on the impacts of up-scheduling and down-scheduling controlled medicines at national level, with particular regard to access and safety measures. Excellencies, as we advance our collective efforts, it remains imperative that drug scheduling measures uphold the core objective of the International Drug Control Conventions, That is, to protect health and welfare. This requires a careful balance, ensuring access to essential medicines for those in need while preventing harms associated with non-medical use. Let us continue to pursue this balance with scientific rigor, inclusivity, ethics, and unwavering commitment to public health. I thank you.


Armenia · Chair [3:04:37]:

Thank you. Dear colleagues, as was announced during the opening of this CND session, my intention is to close the list of speakers after five minutes, after 10 minutes, excuse me, after the beginning of agenda item. So for this agenda item, the list of speakers is now closed. With this, I have a pleasure to give the floor to Professor Sevil Atasoy, the President of International Narcotics Control Board. Please, you have the floor.


INCB · President [3:05:09]:

Mr. Chair, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I have the honor to recall that under this agenda item, the International Narcotics Control Board has repeatedly addressed the challenges and possible solutions to counter the proliferation of non-scheduled chemicals, including custom-made designer precursors. INCB has discharged its functions under Article 12 of the 1988 Convention by assessing and recommending for international control the chemicals which Member States have proposed for scheduling, and we have made our own proposals for certain key alternative precursor chemicals. All of this has been done in recognition of the fact that scheduling in the tables of the 1988 Convention is the only internationally binding mechanism to disrupt global supply chains for precursor chemicals. The scheduling decisions of the Commission have proven to be effective, significantly reducing or eliminating the diversion and use of scheduled chemicals for the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances controlled under the 1961 and 1971 Conventions. However, we now see the emergence of new classes of drugs such as nitazenes, orphins, etomidate analogues, just to mention the most recent. Several of them are at least as potent and often more potent than traditional drugs. This means that small quantities of chemicals can yield significant quantities of deadly end products. The majority of these chemicals are not controlled anywhere, and they may or may not have legitimate uses. To date, No seizures of the precursor chemicals required to produce these drugs have been brought to the Board's attention. However, seizures of the end products and fatalities involving their consumption provide ample but sad evidence that the precursor chemicals were available and used by drug traffickers. Last year, INCB brought a group of nitazine precursors to the attention of the Commission, and we will continue to do the same for other emerging drug classes. However, I would like to draw your attention to a highly effective, yet still underutilised tool the INCB PAN Online Light system. PAN Online Light is a platform for the voluntary exchange of information about chemicals which are not controlled internationally, but which could potentially be used for unregulated purposes or even illicit drug manufacture. Greater use of PAN Online Light would increase our collective knowledge of precursor-related supply chain dynamics, including knowledge of legitimate markets and operators. Greater precision in predicting emerging drug precursors and their earlier identification would further enhance the preparedness of the international community to address emerging new drugs. Tools like PAN Online Lite are available to Member States free of charge, and I seize this opportunity to encourage all of you to work with us and our Secretariat to make the best use of these tools to safeguard health and well-being. Thank you for your attention.


Armenia · Chair [3:10:26]:

Thank you. And now my intention is to open the floor for statements. And the first on my list is the representative of the European Union. Please, you have the floor.


EU · EU [3:10:46]:

Thank you. I have the honour of speaking on behalf of the EU and its Member States. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, the Republic of Moldova, San Marino, Serbia and Ukraine align themselves with this statement. As we gather here at the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, it's important to acknowledge the primary challenges we face concerning drug precursor control is the diversion of non-scheduled substances and the proliferation and trafficking of designer precursors. As the EU is one of the most impacted regions by this alarming trend, This has triggered the EU Commission's proposal to revise EU legislation in this domain. The proposal is marked by several key innovations aimed at strengthening our response. Firstly, we propose the establishment of a specific category for designer precursors, allowing a clear distinction between substances with legitimate uses and those with no known legitimate use. ensuring that our approach is both targeted and proportionate. Furthermore, the introduction of a ban on designer precursors is a critical step forward, alongside the possibility to implement generic scheduling exclusively for those substances. This will mitigate risks while acknowledging possible legitimate and scientific uses and industrial requirements. Thanks to the invaluable input from both the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament, the legislative procedure within the EU will advance, ensuring we can implement measures to tackle the challenges posed by designer precursors. At an international level, The continued implementation of resolution 65/3 from 2022 remains the most suitable instrument to address the proliferation and trafficking of designer precursors. This resolution provides a framework for collective action and underscores the importance of international collaboration. The proactive scheduling of designer precursors, specifically esters of amphetamine-type stimulant precursors, proposed by the INCB in 2023, proved successful on all fronts. It received unanimous approval from all members and, notably, caused criminals designing these substances to take nearly two years to find a suitable alternative. Therefore, it's essential that we persist in this direction, as international scheduling proves significantly more effective than scheduling at a national level. Additionally, it's of utmost importance to enhance our engagement with the countries identified as responsible for producing designer precursors utilized in the illicit manufacture of drugs. Such cooperation is decisive in curbing the global spread and impact of these substances. Together, through international collaboration, we can tackle the issues with designer precursors. Thank you for your attention.


Armenia · Chair [3:14:24]:

Thank you. Next on my list is Colombia. Please, you have the floor.


Colombia [3:14:31]:

Thank you, and good afternoon. Chair, given the challenges in making recommendations about new substances and synthetic drugs, Colombia believes we must strengthen coordination between the CND, the WHO, and the INCB. The market for synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances evolves rapidly, which we can see in how quickly illegal networks adapt and in asymmetries in terms of regulation between states. This demands agile, evidence-based responses. In this context, it's essential that we strengthen our early warning systems, harmonize technical criteria for risk assessment, improve data quality, and promote improved international cooperation for timely and proportionate decisions. Moreover, we must maintain a balance between control and access, recognizing that Controller decisions can impact the availability of substances for medical and scientific purposes. An effective response should not only focus on the substance. We must incorporate a public health and human rights based approach, avoiding criminalizing users and strengthening mechanisms for information to flag the risks associated with adulterated or highly potent substances. Finally, Colombia would like to underscore the importance of strengthening technical and financial assistance for developing countries, given that unequal access to advanced technology for identifying and analysis continues to be a significant barrier. Thank you very much.


Armenia · Chair [3:16:44]:

Thank you very much, and we are approaching the end of this afternoon meeting today. But before adjourning the meeting, I was advised that distinguished representative of Venezuela asked for a right of reply under agenda item 5. 5A. 5A. Please, you have the floor.


Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) [3:17:05]:

Venezuela would like to exercise their right of reply to the statements made by the US delegation under item 5A on our agenda. Firstly, it's important to recall that various UN reports have demonstrated that Venezuela is not a relevant actor in drugs trafficking towards the US. Venezuela, on the contrary, has a sustained and effective policy of combating illicit drug trafficking based on international cooperation, territorial control, and activities within its security institutions, which has allowed us to seize significant amounts and neutralize many criminal networks. It's worrying that these statements have been made following the military aggression on the 3rd of January against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. In spite of these serious facts, Venezuela has opted for the route of diplomacy. At this point in time, conversations are being held in a respectful and constructive manner between both governments, which include topics such as security and combating drug trafficking. For this, Venezuela believes that this is the moment to honor our willingness to enter into dialogue and to avoid narratives that do not contribute to the cooperation we need to tackle an issue which is shared by all of our countries. In this spirit, we would respectfully request that the delegation of the US contribute to this climate of dialogue and mutual respect so that we can move forward together in the fight against this scourge which affects our peoples. We call upon the Secretariat for this intervention to be reflected in the report under item 5A, as well as general debate. Thank you, Chair.


Armenia · Chair [3:19:26]:

Thank you. Are there any Are there any other delegations wishing to exercise their right of reply under agenda item 5 A? I don't see any. With this, I would like to announce that tomorrow morning we will continue our work at 10:00 AM sharp under the chairmanship of Vice President, Ambassador of Peru, and we will continue with the consideration of agenda item 5. Thank you very much. Without interpretation. Yeah, I have to also mention that without interpretation, as has been agreed previously. This meeting is adjourned.