[Separate Meeting] CND 68th Reconvened Session – 5 December 2025

Good morning, good morning everyone. We will start shortly, kindly take your seats. Good morning. With your permission, I intend to start the meeting. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, very warm welcome back to the reconvened 68th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. We will continue the consideration of agenda item four on strategic management, budgetary and administrative questions. I will start first with the budget resolution. At our joint meeting with the CCPCJ yesterday, we considered under agenda item four, the implementation of the consolidated budget for the biennium twenty 2026, 2027. Yeah. For the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Which is contained in document E slash CN dot seven slash 2025 slash 14 E slash CN 15 slash 2025 slash seventeen. As well as the draft proposed program plan for 2027. And program performance. For 2025 for UNODC. Which is contained in E slash CN seven slash 2025. CRP 13. And E slash CN 15 slash 2025 slash CRP 12. The Commission is now to take action on the draft resolution on the budget for the biennium 2026-27 for the Fund of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme. I understand that there have been informal consultations during which the draft resolution was amended. The amended text of the draft resolution after these informal consultations was circulated. via special message on 22nd November and agreed upon by silence procedure on 25th November. The text is available online under draft resolution E slash CN 15 slash 2025 L 12. May I now invite the commission to adopt the resolution. I see no objection. It is so decided. We now move on to the draft decision on Honliya and INCB meetings for 2026. Under this agenda item, the Commission is to take action on a draft decision that has been tabled by Peru. The draft decision entitled Honliya's and INCB meetings in 2026. is contained in document E/CN.7/2025/L.11/Rev.1. Informal consultations were held along with the informal consultations on the budget resolution that I mentioned earlier in the context of FinGov, and I'm told that agreement was reached among the delegations. I now invite the Commission to adopt decision L11 Rev. 1. I see no objection. It is so decided. We will now move to the FinGov Bureau for 2026. I would also like to recall, as was already mentioned yesterday, that the Commission is expected to endorse this morning at this 68th reconvened session, the members of the Fingolf Bureau for 2026. Following the joint nomination by the Bureau of CND and the CCPCJ, in accordance with ECOSOC decision 2022/316, I am pleased to recall that the Secretariat has formally received the following nominations, which have in the meantime been before the Bureau of CND and CCPCJ, respectively. From the Latin America and Caribbean Group, for Chair, His Excellency Jose Antonio Zapalgoitia, Permanent Representative of Mexico. From the African Group, for the post of Vice Chair, Mr. Mohamed Amine Boukhreis, Counselor of the Permanent Mission of Morocco, who's done a stellar job as rapporteur for this session. and for the Asia Pacific group as vice chair Mr. Mustafa shafizadeh second secretary of the permanent mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran I now ask the commission whether it wishes to endorse these nominated candidates as members of the **** of Bureau for 2026 us United States you have the flow.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As we have previously stated, the United States objects to the nomination of the second secretary of the permanent mission of Iran for the position of vice chair of FINGOV, and we therefore call for a vote on this candidacy. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its Quds Force, both terrorist organizations, oversee and enable terror attacks, weapons smuggling, and narcotics trafficking through a network of militant proxies such as Hezbollah. This conduct is fundamentally incompatible with the service on any UNODC body. The Commission must not normalize these destabilizing transgressions by taking actions that could suggest it recognizes Iran as a responsible actor entitled to such leadership roles. Iran's inclusion in Fingov would undermine that body's very integrity. The United States urges all Commission members to refrain from supporting the Iranian candidate. We ask that our statement be reflected in the report for this meeting. Thank you.

I thank the United States for its statement. Does any other delegation wish to take the floor at this stage? As I understand, the United States has reservations with regard to the Asia-Pacific Group nominee for Vice Chair. I intend, in the interest of moving ahead with our procedure, that we first endorse, the Commission first endorses by acclamation the officers whose nomination enjoys overall support. Thereafter, Ambassador of Iran, Excellency, you have the floor.

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, everybody. Sorry, I was in a hurry. Well, first of all, I would like to raise some procedural points. Of course, with regard to the basis allegation raised yesterday by US delegation, we will get the right of reply and we'll reply to that. There is a very well established procedure and practice in all years This is not a new issue. It is very logic and very civilized way that any delegation who wish to take a post, nominate a candidature to the regional group. The regional group will decide on that after the chair having consulted with all members. and by consensus, there is a candidature for a post. That's very clear. The case of the election has been in the past and in all years, when there are more than one candidature for one post, and when there is no agreement within the group. Otherwise, it has never been requesting for election on a prerogative of a regional group to intervene into the authority of the members of the regional group who should decide for themselves. So I could not understand that how a delegation from other region could intervene and decide for a regional group which has more than 40 member states. So I I know that we have discussed in the Extended Bureau this issue. And I know that it has been perhaps, of course, I was not there. If I was there, I certainly would have objected to such kind of decision by the Extended Bureau because we should not set a precedent here. It will put in danger and at stake future practices. If you open the gate for this issue, this is a Pandora box. In future, every country could come to say, I could not accept the decision of a regional group. So putting into question the authority and credibility of the established practice for so many years. Here, we are following the rule of law. We are not following the rule of jungle. So we should be very careful if we decide on that. And I urge all distinguished members to reject that, and if it goes for the secret ballot, to vote for the favor of the Iranian candidacy. Thank you very much.

Thank the Ambassador of Iran for his remarks. Does any other delegation wish to take the floor at this stage? I think that Certain concerns have been expressed by the distinguished permanent representative of Iran. As he noted, we have had the occasion to discuss this within the bureau. It is indeed the practice that the nominations as forwarded by the regional groups are considered by the bureaus. by the Bureau of the CND and thereafter forwarded to the Commission for a final decision and approval. And at this stage, since not all states are represented in the Bureau, there is, to my mind, no legal limitation on any country raising its concerns with regard to any candidature in this case. the United States delegation has expressed its disagreement with the candidature of the second secretary of the permanent mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran. And in such a situation, the rules of procedure envisage that we would go through with a secret ballot to obtain the views of the commission. And therefore, after having duly noted the comments of the ambassador of Iran. I intend to proceed as follows. We will first endorse by acclamation the officers whose nomination enjoys the support, unconditional support or overall support of the all members of the commission. And subsequently, we will hold in line with the commission's rules of procedure a secret ballot on the candidate whose nomination does not enjoy the full support. Accordingly, I propose that we endorse per acclamation the nomination of His Excellency Ambassador Jose Antonio Zavala Gochia, Permanent Representative of Mexico, for the position of Chair. Does the Commission agree? It is so decided. I now propose that we endorse by acclamation the nomination of Mr. Mohammed Amin Buchris, Councillor of the Permanent Mission of Morocco for the position of Vice Chair. Does this have the concurrency of the Commission. It is so decided. We will now proceed. Sorry, Mexico, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson. Good morning to you and to all colleagues. Thirdly, let me start by expressing the deepest gratitude of my delegation for the election by acclamation of Ambassador Jose Antonio Zavala Goytia for the position of chairperson of Pingo for 2026. And Mr. Chairperson, before we start this voting process, through you, my delegation would like to request the Secretariat to register Mexico as present, but we will ask not to be given a ballot as we will not be casting a vote. We are clear that the responsibility of this commission is to elect all officials. whether by acclamation or by a vote. We are not losing sight of that prerogative, nor relinquishing our own responsibilities as a member of this commission. We're taking this decision solely to respect a decision taken by another regional group, the Asia-Pacific group, your own regional group. Should there be any competition in this election, we would then be choosing the candidate of our taste among the different nominees, but this is not the case. the apg has Advanced only one nomination and that's on what we are reflecting by not casting our vote to date thank you very much.

I thank the representative of Mexico and uh add my own personal congratulations to his Excellency Ambassador zago for his election as the chair of fingo for 2026 we will now move with uh the secret ballot for endorsement of the nomination of Mr. Colombia, you have the floor.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much, Chair. Thank you very much, Chair. And congratulations to the Ambassador of Mexico upon his election. To save time, Chair, Colombia will follow the same procedure established by Mexico just now. And therefore, we would like the same methodology to apply to us. Thank you, Chair.

Thank you, Mexico. Who else? Sorry, thank you, Colombia. Chile.

Thank you very much, Chair. I too would like to congratulate the Ambassador of Mexico, Ambassador Sabogochia, upon his election. And regarding the current matter under discussion, Chile would also like to be treated in the same fashion as the delegations of Mexico and Colombia, and accordingly.

We would ask for the same methodology to apply to us. Thank you.

Thank you, Ambassador. I just want to clarify that voting is not an obligatory function for any delegation. It is up to you, at sovereign right, to decide whether you want to vote, not vote, vote in favor, not vote in favor, or abstain. So accordingly, delegations, I would say, would be free to choose how they would wish to proceed in this election. But in the interest of time, I now close the floor for further interventions and we'll move ahead with the ballot. I will request the secretariat to get ready in accordance with rule 66 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of ECOSOC. All elections shall be held by secret ballot, unless in the absence of any objection, the commission decides to proceed without taking a ballot, which is not the case here. And as we have an objection, I invite the commission to turn its attention to election by secret ballot. And we'll now invite the secretary to inform us in some detail about this process, Madam.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. And this is the same information that I was presenting at the request of the chair also during the extended Bureau. And it just is meant to help take delegations through the process. I think there is a slide before, indeed. I will try to make it very short, but important is it are only the 53 members of the CND that will be eligible to cast the vote. And in order to be participating in ballot, the delegation of that country need to be present in person. The rules that are applicable are rule 66 and rule 67, as shown now on the screen. As you said, indeed, if there is no acclamation, no agreement on a candidate, the rules of procedure foresee a secret ballot. Important is also that once we have announced that the voting commences, that then none of the representatives may interrupt the voting except on a point of order in connection with the process. Now, there will be people being appointed by you to serve as tellers. As we had an announcement yesterday that that could happen today, we have in a way looked for members of the Commission that had at least two people here, so one who could participate in the ballot and the second one that would be willing to serve as a teller. So the ballot papers will be distributed to the members of the Commission. So we heard from three delegations that they are present but do not want to participate in the ballot. They will still get the paper, but when they are called to come in front, I would assume that they remain seated at that time. So the tellers will confirm that the ballot box is empty. And then, and this is in line with the way we have been doing a similar process in the past in the CCPCG and the CND. And after we had also obtained guidance from New York, where these processes are more common. So before we had that done a couple of years ago, for the first time here in Vienna, we got guidance from New York on how to proceed. So, the each of the 53 members of the commission will be called. called in the English alphabetical order to come in front where the ballot box will be posted or has meanwhile been posted. I can't see it. So important is, as I was told this morning, that it is a plastic box. So please make sure that you fold your paper in four parts so that we cannot see what you have actually put in your ballot. Please, please, please make sure. And then after the last person, the last member state has come to cast the vote, the chair will announce the ballot to be that the ballot is closed and will announce that the ballot papers are to be counted. Then the tellers and the secretariat will leave. the conference room and go to a separate room to conduct the counting. The tellers will open the box and count the number of ballots, shall verify the number of ballots, and then do the counting. And then Once the process is finalized, the secretariat will bring the results back to the chair. The tellers will remain in the counting room until the chair effectively starts with reading out the results. And then you, Mr. Chair, will announce the results and the decision taken from the ballot. This is how the ballot paper looks like. Once more, this is really in line with what was done for previous occasions where we were in a situation like this and also following guidance from New York. I will come to this slide, which is the last one, which also explains. So the ballot paper shows the name of the candidate, which was nominated by the group, and the country and the post to be filled. Important is that only votes are considered as votes really cast if they are in favor of a candidate. So abstentions Blanco ballot papers are not considered as votes being cast. And now the members of the commission, they can check the box next to the name of the candidate, so to express that they are in favor of the election of that candidate, or you saw that blank line. write the name of another eligible candidate on the ballot sheet, but in order to be eligible, the candidate needs to be from a country member of the Asia Pacific group. Here again, it's not enough to have the name of a country, it would need to be the name of a person. And as already mentioned before, blank ballot papers shall be considered as abstention, so shall not be considered as votes being cast. Then there are not only the blanko papers, but there are also ballot papers that would be considered invalid. And that is when the person who basically made the ballot has revealed their identity or indicating the country of or have basically been signing. So, identified who made that ballot or if there is basically a vote for more than one candidate, so basically the name on the list plus the name of another person or if the name of a numbered person would be put there if it's not from a country belonging to the Asia-Pacific group. So... One thing to say, even when there is a name of another person, Yes, so thanks for clarifying. So should there be a situation of the name of another person from the Asia Pacific group being written down, it still also would require to tick that box too, so to be considered as a valid vote. Thanks for that clarification. Mr. Chair, I hope that that's clear. Thank you.

Well, I think United Kingdom, you have a question. It has to be a point of order on the voting. Yes, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Chair, and thanks for giving the floor for a point of order. It's a question for clarity. On this ballot, I understand that we only have one name, and usually in a vote you have two choices so that you can register which you would prefer. In this case, there is no second choice. And it's really to ask, given that there's no additional choice, in order to win this vote, you just need, I guess, one vote in favor. So it seems to me that it's not really a ballot. And it's a question.

Of- What's your point of order, United Kingdom.

So the point of order is, can we, through you, ask if there's any Asia-Pacific group member willing to join the ballot so that we may be able to vote for them and have a choice? Thank you.

I think it's very clear the nomination of the Asia Pacific group has been received in the Bureau and forwarded to the Commission. Any other, that point of order is accordingly resolved. Any other delegation wishing to make a point of order? Okay, just to clarify, this is the ballot paper that you will get. It will say that this is the election to the standing open-ended intergovernmental working group. and for the poster vice chair. You have two boxes on box number one, the nominee from the Islamic Republic of Iran. If you wish to vote for that person, put a tick mark there. If you wish to vote for any other person as a secretary, it is clarified, you need to first put a tick against that box and then write the name of the person and the country that that person is from. in that blank space. These are the only two scenarios in which that vote is considered to be valid. Any other scenario where you don't tick any of the boxes or you write just a name or a country name, none of those will be considered valid. And to partially respond to the United Kingdom's query, once all the valid votes are tallied, the person who has the largest number of valid votes. As by simple majority will be considered to be elected. I hope that is clear. We will now proceed. We have the the box in front of us. And I would unless we are in a magic show, I assume it's all empty. Abstentions are not considered to be votes cast. I just want to reiterate that. and kindly note as again mentioned by the secretariat. If you vote for two candidates, that's not a valid vote. If you write your name or any other information that compromises the secrecy of the ballot, that's not a valid vote. And if you tick the box, write one name and some other country name, all of that stuff, creative stuff is not included in the balloting process. And all of you are kindly requested to remain seated unless until you are requested to come forward and carry out the balloting. The secretary will call the name of each member in the English alphabetical order. And one of your delegates can come to the podium to cast his or her ballot. and make sure that they are ideally folded into four so that the the secrecy of the process is maintained. And after casting the and not like this because I have I have I have stuff printed on both sides, okay? On the other side, make sure it's like that. Okay. And after casting the ballot, return kindly to your national desk. And kindly come forward only once the previous representative completed casting his or her ballot. And we will continue till the last representative has been called and cast his or her ballot. And once all the ballots are cast, The tellers and secretariat will proceed with the counting. We now need to decide on two tellers. Are there any volunteers? Since we don't have any volunteers, I'm going to impose this on informal volunteerism exhibited by Colombia and Nigeria. Kindly come forward and help us with the process. And I'd like to thank you in advance for your support. The balloting will now begin. May I request our conference officers to distribute ballot papers and envelopes. Envelopes? Okay, no envelopes in the interest of paperless. Ballot papers to all delegations, please. Is there any delegation that has so far not received its ballot paper? Do all CND members have their ballot papers and do any member, any Does any delegation that is not part of the CND have a ballot paper kindly return it? Okay. In any case, we will not be calling your name. Okay, now we I would like to ask the tellers to confirm that the ballot box is indeed empty. I would now like to ask the Secretary to call on the members of the Commission in English alphabetical order to come to the podium and cast their ballot.

Algeria, please. Argentina, please. Armenia, please. Australia, please. Austria, please. Bangladesh, please. Belgium, please. Plurinational State of Bolivia, please. Brazil, please. Burundi, please. Canada, please. Chile, please. China, please. Colombia, please. Cote d'Ivoire, please. Dominican Republic, please. France, please. Finland, please. Ghana, please. Guatemala, please. Hungry, please. India, please. Indonesia, please. Islamic Republic of Iran, please. Italy, please. Japan, please. Kenya, please. Lithuania, please. Malta, please. Mexico, please. Morocco, please. Kingdom of the Netherlands, please. Nigeria, please. Peru, please. Poland, please. Portugal, please. please. Republic of Korea, please. Russian Federation, please. Saudi Arabia, please. Singapore, please. Slovenia, please. South Africa, please. Spain, please. Switzerland, please. Thailand, please. Trinidad and Tobago, please. Tunisia, please. United Kingdom, please. United Republic of Tanzania, please. United States of America, please. Uruguay, please. Zimbabwe, please. Thank you very much. That brings us to the end, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

Thank you. The ballot process is now complete. I hereby declare the ballot closed. and would request the tellers to proceed with the counting. to use our time in the most efficient manner. I would suggest that we proceed with the next points on our agenda. until we have the outcome of the voting. We will continue with the issue of the new FINGOV, in that we have just received the nomination for first vice chair from the Western European and other states group of Her Excellency, Deborah Lepre, the permanent representative of Italy. In accordance with the COSAC decision 2022/316, Nominations are to be first submitted to the extended bureau of the CND and thereafter endorsed by the full session. Since we've not had the opportunity to have the CND bureau meet on this particular nomination, I propose that we take note of the nomination and as per established practice, permit the VIOG nominee to functionally participate in the work of the FinGov pending her endorsement. So, we will now complete our discussion on agenda item 4. Is there any delegation that wishes to take the floor or exercise its right of reply under agenda item 4? I see none.

Okay.

I recognize the Ambassador of Iran. You have the floor.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I prefer to, because there would be another, I guess, show, I should say, it's not show. I will make my points this afternoon after the next voting. Just to say that it is a matter of regret that we witnessed today what taking the time of the distinguished members and this august body for something which in our belief would not worth that. But in any case, it happened and I personally thank you for your professional way that you conducted the meeting. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Ambassador. I have duly noted your interest. We will now move to agenda item 5, entitled Implementation of the International Drug Control Treaties. We already discussed the topic at considerable length yesterday, and several delegations made remarks. I would hope that we can-- I take it that we can close agenda item Five. Thank you. It is so close. We now move to agenda item six, entitled follow up to the implementation at the national, regional, and international levels of all commitments as reflected in the ministerial declaration of 2019 to address and counter the world drug problem. We We will now resume consideration of the item. We were not able to complete all statements by all delegations. I will hopefully get the speakers list shortly. And the next on my list, thank you to the secretariat. The next on my list is the representative of Thailand. Minister, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. First of all, let me express sincere appreciation to you for your leadership. Mr. Chair, the 2019 Ministerial Declaration provides a comprehensive roadmap. And as we look ahead, Thailand believes that a balanced and sustained approach rooted in sustainable development and human security is paramount to achieving our collective goals. Mr. Chair, alternative development remains a cornerstone of the world drug problem solution, linking socioeconomic progress directly to law enforcement success. Thailand is proud of its history as a pioneer in this field, transitioning from a major illicit opium producer to an economy powered by sustainable agriculture and tourism. To ensure this critical approach remains relevant and effective, Thailand, in close partnership with the governments of Peru and Germany, UNODC, and key partners, co-hosted the expert group meeting on alternative development in Lima, Peru, from November 5th to 7th, 2025. This gathering successfully synthesized lessons learned and identified critical gaps in implementing comprehensive, gender-sensitive, and environmentally sound AD programs. The outcome of the Lima EGM provide a vital practitioner-driven complement to the 2013 United Nations Guiding Principles on Alternative Development. Therefore, I am pleased to announce that Thailand, along with Germany and Peru, intend to table a draft resolution on alternative development at the 69th session of the CND in March 2026. This resolution will seek to build upon the existing guiding principles by emphasizing modern challenges and emerging consensus areas, including climate adaptation and resilience as part of climate and environmental sustainability, and the need for greater integration of market access and long-term political commitment to ensure stable programming. We look forward to engaging with all member states to ensure this draft resolution receives broad support and strengthens the global framework for decades to come. Mr. Chair, turning to implementation of the 2019 commitments on supply reduction and cross-border cooperation, the situation in the Golden Triangle demands our immediate and sustained attention. Thailand is escalating its national operation, focusing heavily on disrupting the illicit supply chain at its most vulnerable points. In line with this priority, Thailand prioritizes the control of chemical substances, precursors, the disruption of drug production sources in the Golden Triangle, and uplift the people to tangibly resolve the problem. To achieve these goals, the Narcotics Control Board of Thailand has issued new operational orders, including the establishment of dedicated command units for interdiction and suppression, tasked with a multifaceted approach, emphasizing international cooperation. Mr. Chair, Thailand's evolving policy signals a rebalancing, moving beyond a primary focus on arrests towards a preventive and community-based model. It places emphasis on rehabilitating people who use drugs and creating opportunities for social reintegration, ensuring that individuals who have completed their sentences can contribute positively to their communities. To conclude, Thailand remains resolutely committed to confronting the world drug problem through an integrated approach that leverages both international cooperation and decisive national action against organized crime and precursor trafficking. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank Thailand and now invite the representative of Morocco, Councillor Boukrissi, on the floor.

Thank you, Chairperson. Chairperson, the Kingdom of Morocco reaffirms its commitment to the three international drug control conventions and the other political commitments that we adopted together since 2009 to meet the multiple challenges posed by the world drug problem. Given our pivotal geographical position at the crossroads of three continents of the main routes for the drug trafficking in drugs and psychotropic substances, we have adopted a comprehensive, embossed, and integrated approach to combat drug trafficking, which is perfectly aligned with the international commitments of the Kingdom of Morocco. Our strategy is based on demand reduction, prevention of the consumption and abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, combating drug trafficking, and strengthening international cooperation. Morocco has chosen to respond proactively to the challenges of drug consumption and drug abuse, integrating prevention, treatment and harm reduction into our national mental health plans. In 2008, we launched a harm reduction plan of action for intravenous drug abuse, including a methadone opiate substitution programme launched in 2010. Our public health-oriented approach is perfectly embodied in the new plan of action for addiction prevention and care for 2024 to 2030. It seeks to reduce addiction disorder-related morbidity and mortality while ensuring universal access to quality prevention and treatment for all forms of addiction, as well as rehabilitation, social insertion, or rather integration, and professional reintegration for drug abuse victims. As regards implementation of our national plan, Morocco has considerably strengthened its treatment and care facilities. We now have 25 specialized addictology establishments, including 22 outpatient centers and three university hospital units. We also have 10 addictology units in our prisons. Chairperson, aware of the challenges posed by the world drug problem, Morocco has made international anti-drug cooperation into a priority and key lever of our strategy to combat drugs. in response to the transnational nature of the scourge. In this connection, thanks to the engagement of Moroccan authorities and investment of considerable resources, numerous international operations to combat drug trafficking have been conducted. Our international cooperation actions also take the form of exchange of information between law enforcement via Interpol liaison officers. the liaison bureau for the Arab ministries of the interior, the Council of Ministers of Arab ministries of the interior, and international organizations. We carry out special investigative techniques, in particular controlled deliveries and joint investigations. At the regional level, in 2025, we helped dismantle a number of illicit drug trafficking operations. This was thanks to operational cooperation with partner countries. We are also strengthening South-South cooperation. We are cooperating closely with the Sahel countries to combat illicit drug trafficking, money laundering, and terrorist financing. Morocco has shared its expertise in border surveillance. and has exchanged strategic intelligence and engaged in capacity building for law enforcement in order to effectively combat transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking. Chairperson King Mohammed of Morocco firmly believes that the world drug problem is a common and shared responsibility and that it should be addressed in a multilateral framework in accordance with a concerted and consensus-based approach that takes on board scientific developments, respect for human rights, and with, in a spirit of responsibility and transparency, we take this opportunity to emphasize once again the importance of strengthening bilateral, subregional, regional, and international cooperation. We also emphasize the importance of appropriate technical assistance for national capacity building, for anti-drug policies, particularly for African countries, which face a number of drug challenges, as has been underscored in the World Drug Report and in the recent annual reports of the INCB. Thank you, Chairperson.

I thank Morocco and now have the pleasure of inviting Her Excellency Maria Echeverria Heredia of Peru for her statement. Okay, representative of Peru. Ambassador's taking it easy today.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and good morning, Excellencies and dear colleagues.

Now I'll switch to Spanish.

Allow me, distinguished delegates, under agenda item six for today's agenda to inform you.

Of developments following the 10th meeting of experts on alternative development that took place in Lima from the 5th to the 7th of November this year, co-organized by the governments of Peru, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Federal Republic of Germany, with support from UNODC. in keeping with the mandate established under resolution 68/3 of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. This meeting brought together governmental experts, representatives of international organizations, academia, the private sector, as well as representatives of indigenous communities, thus consolidating its presence as a technical forum with serving as a global benchmark. During the plenary meetings and the thematic workshops, participants were able to examine emerging challenges in the sphere of alternative development. We discussed proposals in order to uphold the guiding principles of the United Nations of 2013 on alternative development, taking into account new environmental, economic, and social and criminal realities. The working groups, in turn, addressed six priority areas: food security, sustainability, the climate and environment, territorial approaches and non-traditional scenarios, innovation and market access, inclusion of women, indigenous communities and vulnerable populations, as well as monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. This encounter equally included a session for indigenous communities as well as representatives of Peru and Colombia to participate and to speak up, underscoring the importance of land tenure and ensuring fair access to markets. The expert group reached substantive consensus regarding the need for more inclusive alternative development, respectful of the environment, climate resilient, territorially differentiated and based on multi-annual long-term financing. The conclusions of the encounter are now being subsequently implemented and will be ready for presentation.

In 2026 to the CND.

Will be presented in the form of a conference room paper as well as in a resolution for adoption by members at the 69th CND, including the proposal for additional guiding principles. These documents will be shared in a timely fashion among member states. Thank you very much, Chair.

I thank Peru for that statement and now invite Germany.

Thank you, Chair. As we speak for the first time, we wanted to express a heartfelt "Dankeschon" to the two Chairs for your service to the Commissions and our UNODC community. Mr. Chair, We would like to thank the government of Peru for their hospitality during the 10th expert group meeting on alternative development that took place in Lima, Peru from the 5th to the 7th of November, as just mentioned by our colleague from Peru. We would also like to thank our other longstanding partners from the Kingdom of Thailand and UNODC for their continued support in this initiative. In response to the 68th C&D resolution 68/3, the 10th expert group meeting on alternative development focused on providing recommendations to complement the United Nations guiding principles on alternative development, specifically on addressing current, persistent and evolving challenges, including environmental sustainability, gender responsive measures, and the meaningful engagement of indigenous peoples and local communities, as well as territorial approaches, among others, to make alternative development programs more effective and sustainable, and thereby fit for the future. Germany is grateful for the growing interest of member states in the topic of alternative development and their contributions to the discussions. We trust that the recommendations result of the 10th expert group meeting on alternative development will contribute to enrich the United Nations guiding principles on alternative development as a key instrument for the formulation and implementation of sustainable development oriented strategies to address drug related challenges. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the permanent representative of Germany for his remarks and now invite the permanent representative of Ecuador. Madame, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Chair. I believe it is important to take the floor under this agenda item to refer to the fight against drugs. guaranteeing the full and timely implementation of the commitments we have made here in this Commission in order to be able to tackle this scourge linked to transnational organized crime and to corruption, which jeopardize democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. The impact of drugs trafficking have similar consequences to those of traditional armed conflicts, both on the economic as well as on the political and social levels. My delegation is of the view that in this Commission We shall equally focus on organized crime, understanding that this is not something that can be tackled in isolation. Rather, this requires coordinated action based on solidarity and international cooperation. That is why Ecuador believes it is a priority to focus on the following three strands of action: further enhancing multilateral cooperation, consolidating the rule of law, and promoting preventative, inclusive policies that will give rise to more conducive economic and social conditions for our peoples. Organized crime, internationally organized crime, has had a serious impact on peace and stability in our country. Accordingly, combating organized crime is a priority for our national government. We have progressed in dismantling organized armed groups. engaging in arms and drugs trafficking, and have further strengthened the penitentiary system in Tralia. For Ecuador, international cooperation is indispensable. We are a country of transit, which has had to deal with drugs trafficking in a disproportionate manner. Accordingly, we call for effective shared responsibility, which means a better exchange of information, further capacity building, control of logistics chains, demand reduction in the consuming countries. Finally, in keeping with the principles that guide our work here in CND, Ecuador will continue to promote a balanced approach, prioritizing prevention, treatment, and protection of vulnerable groups. as well as the further strengthening of drugs control, which must become more effective, more humane, and more cooperative. Thank you.

Thank you, Ambassador. Now, we invite Sudan.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak. I commend your wise leadership of the work of the Commission and reiterate our readiness to work with you. Mr. Chair, in addressing the world drug problem, my country faces considerable challenges as a result of the continued insurgency that started in April 2023 with the support of regional actors known to all. Insurgents have vandalized, looted, and burned buildings and property belonging to counter-narcotics institutions, in particular, the General Counter-Narcotics Directorate, the National Medicines and Poisons Board, and rehabilitation centers. The government of Sudan has continued the efforts to raise awareness of drug-related risks, especially among young people and students, track drug smuggling networks, strengthen cooperation and information exchange among all relevant stakeholders, and exchange information with allied countries. Thanks to these efforts, we have seized various types of drugs, especially ice, captagon, and hashish. More importantly, we have located and dismantled a captagon production lab in the area of Zhili in northern Khartoum after it was liberated from the insurgent forces earlier this year. We have dismantled some smuggling networks and launched prosecutions against suspects. The government is currently in consultations to relaunch the National Narcotics Commission as part of its efforts to mitigate the threat of drugs and reduce supply and demand. Mr. Chair. I seize this opportunity to reiterate my government's readiness to promote our regional and international partnerships to counter the world drug problem. My delegation calls once again on all our partners, regionally and internationally, and UNODC to support our national efforts to rehabilitate our counter-narcotics institutions, build our national capacity, provide technical assistance, and communication and transport equipment, and offer training to our national staff, as well as promoting the exchange of information, expertise, and best practices. Thank you.

Thank you, Sudan. I now invite the United Kingdom.

Thank you very much, Chair. In line with the 2019 ministerial declaration, the UK is committed to tackling drugs at the national, regional, and international level. We are committed to the international drug control conventions and ensuring that policies align with human rights. The UK takes a balanced and evidence-based approach through prevention and treatment, while tackling and taking tough law enforcement action on drug traffickers. Our evidence-based individual placement and support programme helps those with substance dependence disorders keep paid jobs. We are committed to reviewing the evidence on the use of naloxone and to prevent overdoses, and we support heroin-assisted and opioid substitution treatment, with evidence for reduced drug use, injecting and mortality. Since July 2024, the county lines programme has led to 2,300 deal lines or trafficking routes being closed, 6,200 arrests and 3,200 safeguarding referrals for children and vulnerable people. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs report on prevention provides recommendations on a whole-of-system approach to prevention in the UK. But we face challenges. We expect the threat from online drug markets to continue to increase. Challenges include the diversification of drug markets, including the use of AI. In the UK, drug deaths remain high. We have an increased threat of synthetic opioids. Opiates and opioids were involved in just under half of all drug poisoning deaths registered in 2024, and deaths involving nitazenes were four times higher compared to 2023. Deaths involving cocaine increased for the 13th consecutive year in 2024, up 14% on the previous year. The UK Government remains concerned about ketamine. In the year ending March 2024, an estimated 269,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported ketamine use in the last year in England and Wales. Ketamine use in young people aged 16 to 24 has increased by 231 per cent since March 2013. To counter threats, our enhanced early warning system will improve our response. We have strengthened efforts to tackle synthetic drugs, particularly synthetic opioids, with the generic control of nitazenes brought in in January 2025. The UK's early warning system shares data with other UNODC early warning advisers on new psychoactive substances, and the UK supports a newly established international network for legislation on drugs. On ketamine, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has been invited to provide an update. updated assessment of ketamine and the Department of Health has castigated a briefing on ketamine use. To target criminals recruiting children into our drug gangs, we are introducing a new offence of child criminal exploitation. The UK is committed to tackling the supply of illegal drugs, including online. This includes law enforcement activity, engagement with technology companies and awareness raising. We have strengthened the regulatory framework to address online harms, including the Online Safety Act of 2023. The UK's National Crime Agency works with partners to identify offenders operating online and take down UK-based sites committing offences. The UK remains deeply concerned about the links between drug trafficking and other forms of organised crime, and we are disrupting the supply chains and dismantling criminal networks through intelligence sharing, joint operations and advanced border detection. We have also taken upstream action to restrict production and prevent precursor diversification with source and transit countries. and the UK will continue to work with partners to reduce the harm of illicit drugs and deliver on our shared commitments under the UN conventions. Thank you.

Thank you, United Kingdom. And now, invite His Excellency Pablo Berti Oliva, Ambassador and PR of Cuba. You have the floor.

Thank you very much, Chair. As a State Party of the

principle international instruments of the C&E, Cuba ratifies its political resolve and commitment to upholding international law in order to tackle the world drug problem, which is increasingly complex in nature given the new psychotropic substances as well as diversification of methods of illicit trafficking, as well as the harnessing of uses of new technologies for these purposes. Yesterday, The Minister of Justice of Cuba, along with the bodies tasked with controlling and addressing drugs, held a press conference in Cuba, stating clear that Cuba has a zero-tolerance policy that is comprehensive and multisectoral in nature, addressing all acts related to illicit drugs. Equally, we have a public health, educational, and community-based approach, which is fundamental in support of law enforcement measures. The results that have been obtained in recent years, with more than 40 tons of drugs seized over a 14-year period at Cuban borders, from 2024 to 2025, 78 drug trafficking operations were impeded, 14 vessels were seized, 39 traffickers were arrested, 4,487.1 kilograms of drugs were seized. Equally, 40 new synthetic cannabinoids were seized, coming from the US, as a result of greater cooperation. Turning to international cooperation, Cuba has engaged in 37 operational channels of communication between 1999 and 2025. We have launched over 1,400 communications to counterparts regarding drugs-related incidents. We have equally participated actively in international projects and fora. as we are currently doing. Also in COPOLAD, Interpol and the airports project in July 2025, the National Observatory for Drugs was established, which is a cutting-edge scientific instrument. Equally, all operations to tackle drugs are carried out in full respect of human rights and international law in countering drugs. Thank you.

I thank the Ambassador of Cuba. And now the floor is to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Could you activate your mic?

Thank you, Chair. On behalf of Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, I would like to thank you to giving us the floor. Excellencies, in October this year, Human Rights Council adopted in consensus resolution 60/26 on human rights implication of drug policy. In this resolution, the Council reaffirmed the commitment made by the General Assembly to respecting, protecting, promoting all human rights, fundamental freedoms, and inherent dignity of all individuals, and the rule of law in the development and implementation of drug policies. These commitments were also made in the 2019 ministerial declaration and the 2024 high-level declaration. With regard to human rights implications in drug policy, OSCHR remains deeply concerned by the continued application of the death penalty for drug-related offences. In the 2025 annual report of the Secretary General on the question of death penalty submitted to the Human Rights Council in September this year, a global trend was identified, reflecting a steady increase in known execution for drug offenses. In 2024, 615 people were confirmed to have been executed for drug-related offenses, amounting 40% of global total execution. Unfortunately, this trend continues in 2025. OSCE to recall that, according to the international human rights jurisprudence and standard, the term most serious crimes must be respected applies only to crimes extreme gravity involving international killing. In this context, the OSCE Chair also would like to refer to the recommendation in the International Narcotics Control Board annual reports, which encourages all States that retain the death penalty for drug-related offences to consider abolishing it and commuting death sentences already handed down. OSHR urges all States that maintain the death penalty to establish a moratorium with a view to its complete abolition and, at a minimum, restrict its application to only the most serious crimes, which can never include drug offences as defined under international law. The right to life is a supreme right from which no derogation is permitted, even in situations of armed conflict and other public emergencies that threaten the life of the nation. States should take all measures necessary to prevent extrajudicial killing of people in all circumstances, including in the context of countering the drug problem and whatever the criminal conduct alleged against them. Under international human rights law, the intentional use of lethal force is only permissible as a last resort against individuals who pose an imminent threat to life. While recognizing the challenges involved in combating the drug problem, OSCHR urges all states to adhere to international human rights law and other relevant instruments. Thank you, Chair.

Do I have a request from Ghana for the floor? Okay.

Thank you so much, Mr. Chair. Sorry for asking for the floor at this late hour. Just wanted to touch on a few issues which are of importance to Ghana. We believe that regional platforms are invaluable for deepening cooperation on drug control and countering transnational organized crime, which increasingly threaten the peace and stability of our region. We require evidence-based overview of the evolving drug situation in West Africa, where we are seriously affected as a transit point for drug trafficking. We have a clearer picture of the challenges before us, challenges that demand sustained political commitment and collective action. The global cocaine market continues to expand, reaching record highs in production and trafficking. Unfortunately, West Africa, which is my region, Its strategic position has made our region an increasingly attractive transit corridor, as I said earlier. Cocaine seizures in Africa have risen by more than 80% in a single year, reflecting intensified trafficking flows. At the same time, several countries in our region, including Ghana, are now reporting increased numbers of people entering treatments for cocaine use disorders, signaling the growth of local consumption alongside transit activity. Equally alarming is the surge in synthetic opioids. Tramadol misuse remains one of the most severe drug-related health concerns affecting West Africa. But even more dangerous is the emergence of nitazenes, highly potent synthetic opioids found in drug mixtures such as kush. Some nitazenes are hundreds of times more potent than heroin. Their presence has already contributed to public health emergencies in Sierra Leone and Liberia, and they have been detected across several West African states. These developments highlight the urgency of strengthening our capacity to identify, monitor, and respond to new synthetic substances. The implications of these trends extend far beyond public health. Drug trafficking flows, organized crime, corruption, arms flows, and violence. The increasing availability of cocaine and synthetic opioid threatens the well-being and productivity of our youth, undermines our national security, and hampers our development efforts. Criminal networks are exploiting weak borders, limited forensic capacity, and gaps in data weaknesses that must be urgently addressed. In response, we must adopt a clear set of regional priorities. First, we must strengthen intelligence sharing mechanisms. Real-time operational exchanges among West African states are essential, and cooperation between law enforcement, customs, and port authorities must be reinforced. Second, we need to build stronger forensic and laboratory capacity. Our scientific systems must be able to detect synthetic opioids, identify emerging psychoactive and analyze adulterated drug mixtures. Frontline officers must also have access to rapid drug identification tools. Third, we must disrupt the financial foundations of drug trafficking. Anti-money laundering measures need to be prioritized and asset tracing, freezing, and recovery instruments must be strengthened across the region. Fourth, we must protect our youth. Prevention programs, early interventions, and school-based awareness initiatives must be scaled up. Treatment and rehabilitation services must be accessible, evidence-based, and grounded in a public health and human rights approach. Ghana remains committed to an approach to drug control that balances public health, evidence-based policy, and strong security action. However, no country can address these challenges alone. we require stronger political coordination across ECOWAS, alongside sustained support from international partners. And as we look forward, let me offer a broader call to action. We must work together across borders, sectors, and institutions to implement effective evidence-based policies and operational programs that reduce harm, improve public safety, and protect communities, particularly our youth and the most marginalized. We need to strengthen our early warning systems, expand information sharing networks, and promote open environments for researchers. We must also ensure that diverse stakeholders, including people who use drugs, service providers, civil society, and academia, are meaningfully included in designing and implementing relevant policies and programs. Our regional and international mechanisms, including the United Nations, the African Union, and of course, must be central to supporting and scaling these initiatives. Finally, Mr. Chair, we should deepen cooperation in criminal matters, enhance communication between central authorities for mutual legal assistance, and exchange best practices across and beyond the West African region. Ghana has enjoyed collaboration with a lot of well-meaning countries, but I wish to express Ghana's sincere appreciation for the recent collaboration in Accra between the UNODC, the government of the Netherlands, and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime for the event held from 27 to 28 November entitled Mapping the Future of Drug Markets in West Africa. synthetics and cocaine criminals, money laundering and strategic responses, and all member states who participated in this event. Ghana stands ready to work closely with our partners to protect our people, strengthen our institutions, and build a safer and more resilient West Africa. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the Ambassador of Ghana. And now Venezuela has requested the floor for the right of reply. You have the floor.

Chair, my delegation has requested a right of reply, given the mention that was made yesterday under agenda item 6 by the representative of the United States of America, who stated that the constitutional president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, led a drugs trafficking cartel, which only exists in the false narrative perpetuated by the Washington government. The contradictions made by the delegation are striking. Under agenda item 5 yesterday, they reaffirmed that the current session was not a multilateral forum to address such matters. But subsequently, in their following national statement, they themselves perpetuated this false narrative about Venezuela with a clear political motivation. Chair, the country that has lied about the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq is now inventing an alternative reality in order to be able to publicly describe its policy regarding Venezuela as a counterterrorism. The false narrative regarding my country may serve as a prelude to a military intervention under the pretext of fighting drugs trafficking. Not the reports of the US national intelligence agencies indicate any existence of a drug cartel attributed to Venezuela. It is worthwhile asking oneself, therefore, the following. How does the quantity of substances enter a country that has the most powerful armed force of the world? How is it possible for these substances to circulate and to reach the end user without national authorities being able to detect them? How is it possible for millions of dollars to be laundered in the U.S. financial system derived from illicit drugs trafficking. Why is not one single U.S. drugs trafficking cartel been identified, given that this is one of the countries with the largest amount of consumption of prohibited substances worldwide? Chair, if there is an international cartel that is created, financed, protected, and operated, it is the United States of America. It is known as the drugs, the DEA, and Venezuela expelled this from our national territory in 2005. since then achieving significant gains in the fight against illicit drugs trafficking. Moreover, it is equally important to underscore that our National Drugs Control Strategy of May 2024, which is a document defining the vision, the objectives and the priorities of the US policy when it comes to drugs, which is prepared by the White House and by the Drugs Control Department, have indicated, and I quote, that fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, including methamphetamine, are the main causes of deaths due to overdose in the United States of America. In the aforementioned document of 2024, the National Drugs Control Office of the US said, and I quote, Multiple sources confirm that the overwhelming majority of individuals in the United States who require treatment following the use of drugs do not receive such treatment. Once again, those who require treatment but who do not receive treatment, the data from national surveys indicate that these are substances that are not prepared for use. There is no information as to where they are able to find assistance. The US must understand that in order to curb demand, it is necessary to focus on prevention, providing treatment for drug-related disorders, and providing social reintegration, rehabilitative programs. In so doing, reducing the demand that will equally have an impact on reducing supply. Venezuela is in no fashion responsible for the US failings in terms of fentanyl consumption, because this is not a substance that leaves our territory or is to be found in our territory for US consumption. Chair, yesterday, after the end of our session, the US once again bombarded a further vessel, killing another four individuals on board, without any due process, without traceability, without criminal justice, without detainees. Not even the scandalous events in Congress were able to call attention to these crimes against humanity and these infringements of international law. Our country is and always will be ready to engage in settlement of disputes through political dialogue in order to preserve our region as a zone of peace. Thank you, Chair.

That concludes our consideration of agenda item. United States, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The United States wishes to exercise its right of reply to respond to the Venezuelan representative's statements on kinetic strikes and drug use. Yesterday, his ambassador gave us a 10-minute diatribe on this issue. to which we provided a brief response. Today, we will not be as brief in our response. My apologies. President Trump has made it clear that he will not tolerate any threat to the lives of American citizens. The Maduro regime's lack of action to combat rampant drug trafficking and its lucrative drug trade underpins America's actions to protect our country. President Trump has made very clear his job is to protect the United States from threats against the United States, and that is what he is doing in the kinetic operations, utilizing all available tools to stop the narco terrorists poisoning American communities and plaguing our hemisphere with death and destruction. The Trump administration is on the offensive against drug cartels and drug trafficking into the United States. President Trump has been very clear that he is going to use the full power of America, the full might of the United States, to take on and eradicate these drug cartels no matter where they're operating from and no matter how long they have been able to act with impunity. President Trump has also made very clear he's not going to allow the United States to continue to be flooded with cocaine and fentanyl and other drugs coming from different places, including Venezuela, which is a common route. We are going to put an end to the drug cartels that are flooding American streets with their product and killing Americans. The United States has designated Tren de Aragua and Cartel de los Soles as terrorist groups, which is what they are. When you flood American streets with drugs, you are terrorizing America, and that's going to end. Let me be clear. The cartels are carrying out this assault against our citizens. The cartels that are carrying out this assault against our citizens are armed, well organized, and violent. They have financial means, technical sophistication, and extensive paramilitary capabilities. They are bringing death and destruction to the Americas. Therefore, President Trump determined these cartels are non-state armed groups, designated them as terrorist organizations, and determined that their actions constitute an armed attack against the United States. Friendly foreign nations have made significant efforts to combat these terroristic organizations and have suffered significant loss of life as a result. The United States has reached a critical point where we must use force in self-defense and defense of others. Based on the cumulative effects of these hostile acts against the citizens and interests of the United States and friendly foreign nations, President Trump has determined that the United States is in a non-international armed conflict and has directed the Department of War to conduct operations against them pursuant to the law of armed conflict and consistent with Article 51 of the UN Charter. Although these strikes have been limited in scope, U.S. forces remain postured to carry out military operations as necessary to prevent further deaths or injury to American citizens by eliminating the threat. Let me stress that the United States does not recognize Nicolas Maduro or his cronies as the government of Venezuela. Nicolas Maduro is a fugitive from American justice and the head of the vicious narco terrorist Cartel de los Soles. Moreover, It is the action and policies of the illegitimate Maduro regime that pose an extraordinary threat to both the region and the national security of the United States. We appreciate the countries in the Western Hemisphere that have heeded our call to designate Tren de Aragua and Cartel de los Soles as terrorist groups, recognizing the threat they pose to the entire region. To reiterate, the United States will not waver in our action to protect Americans from narco-terrorists. Thank you.

I think with that, we have come to the conclusion of our consideration of agenda item six. And I will now go back to agenda item four and we have now the election results. I suggest that we put the tellers out of their misery. They've been sitting in a room waiting for us to complete our statements. So, I wish to thank the tellers, the secretariat may kindly inform them that they may kindly resume their other duties. I will announce now the results of the election. A total number of ballots that were cast, forty-four. Number of invalid ballots, one. Number of valid ballots, 21. Abstentions. 22. Members present and voting, therefore, 21. The majority required was 11. The results of the vote are as follows. Name, Mustafa Shafizadeh of Iran. Number of votes received, 21. The candidate, Mustafa Shafizadeh, has obtained the necessary majority. and is therefore elected for the position of vice chair of Fingoff. I would now request that the ballot papers be destroyed in the presence of the tellers. Thank you very much. We will now continue consideration of item nine on our agenda entitled contributions by the commission to the work of the economic and social council. Including follow up to and review and implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. We considered this item yesterday. And provided an opportunity for delegations to make comments. I take it that there are no other interventions and intend to close this item. It is so decided. Thank you. We will now move to agenda item 10, which is the provisional agenda for the 69th session of the Commission. It was also opened, as you recall, yesterday afternoon. We will first move to the dates of the 69th regular session, format, and organizational arrangements. the extended Bureau recommended the following dates for the 69th session of the C&D. Regular session from 9 to 13 March 2026 with pre-session consultations on the 7th of March. Reconvened session from the 3rd to the 4th of December 2026. Are there any comments on these dates? I see no objection. It is so decided. I now turn to the pre-session consultations. To maximize the efficiency of use of our limited interpretation resources and in line with this year's practice, the extended bureau has recommended during its 10th meeting on 17th November that we conduct the pre-session informal consultations that are scheduled for 6th March 2026. in English only. Are there any comments? Thank you. It is so decided. We now move to the deadline for submission of draft resolutions in accordance with CND decision 55 slash one. The firm deadline for the submission of draft resolutions is normally one month prior to the commencement of the session. Draft resolutions for the session would thus have to be submitted by Monday, 9th February 2026. I invite all delegations to kindly take note of that. I see no comments. Thank you. It is so decided. Now we move to the provisional agenda, the draft provisional agenda for the 69th session as contained in the report of the CND in its 68th session was approved by the ECOSOC in its decision 2025/308 entitled, quote, report of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs on its 68th session and provisional agenda of its 69th session, close quote. Regarding the Bureau of the 69th Session, I would like to recall that the elections will take place once this session is closed, at the opening of the 69th Session. And also, I'd like to make some comments on side events and exhibitions. The guidelines for these side events and exhibitions were shared with all Member States in the special message of 19th November. The application period for side events and exhibitions will be from 5th to 23rd January 2026. Delegations, of course, are encouraged to apply as soon as the application period starts and well in advance of the deadline. As you know, the CND is very popular for side events and exhibitions. We have the United States. You have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. The United States objects to the language under CND provisional agenda item 9 and urges deletion of the words, quote, "including follow-up to and review and implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," end quote. This agenda item should instead reaffirm the CND's core mandates and priorities. We ask that the Secretariat reflect the US objections in the report for this meeting. Thank you.

I thank the United States for its intervention. I'd like to just hand the floor to Argentina now.

Thank you, Chair. The other delegations want to raise the same objection as the US and would like that to be notified. Thank you.

We note the objections of the United States and Argentina, and these will be duly reflected in the report of the meeting. I now I now move to agenda item 11, other business. This is our last substantive agenda item. Does anyone wish to raise any points here? I see Venezuela. Recognize Venezuela.

Thank you very much, Chair. The delegation of Venezuela wishes to indicate that yesterday, on the 4th of December, following a mandate of the United Nations General Assembly, The International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures was commemorated pursuant to Resolution 79/293, adopted on the 16th of June 2025, with a vote in support of 116 member states and co-sponsored in New York by Belarus, Bolivia, China, Cuba, the DPRK, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Islamic Republic of Iran, Laos, Mali, Nicaragua, the Russian Federation, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uganda, the State of Palestine, and Venezuela. Based on the aforementioned mandate of the United Nations General Assembly, as of this year, 2025, every 4th of December, the United Nations system will commemorate this important international date in order to raise global awareness regarding the adverse impact of unilateral coercive measures, so that States refrain from adopting enacting or implementing such measures, as these are incompatible with international humanitarian law, the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the norms and principles that govern peaceful relations among States. 4th of December is equally the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development. There is an intrinsic link between both of these commemorative events, given that unilateral coercive measures are arms of an economic war that can be just as lethal as conventional weapons. There is no political, ideological, or any type of justification that can legitimize such actions. Chair, my delegation expresses its acknowledgment of the courage of the peoples of those countries that are currently the victims' suffering as a result of more than 37,000 unilateral coercive measures, which impact the human rights of 28% of the global population, who are affected by the consequences of these illegal and criminal measures. By blocking access to international funding, to technology, to medication and to foods, these illegal measures are paralyzing the productive potential of the countries that are affected. blocking supply chains and strangling investment. We call for the complete, immediate and unconditional lifting of all unilateral coercive measures and, at the same time, call upon all Member States of the United Nations to refrain from recognizing or implementing such illegal practices, including overcompliance. Chair, The so-called spirit of Vienna, rather than being understood as a practice that is limited to seeking consensus for the purpose of adopting resolutions, political declarations, or appointments without a voting process taking place, should rather focus on the fact that at this United Nations headquarters, this duty station where the Convention on Diplomatic Relations saw the light in 1961, we abide by the mandates of the multilateral bodies that function here in this jurisdiction, in keeping with international law and the aims and

principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Thank you.

I notice that the Russian Federation wishes to take the floor. You have the floor.

Thank you, Chairperson. Yesterday, we for the first time marked the International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures. The position of the Russian Federation on the inadmissibility of the use of unilateral coercive measures remains unchanged. In June of this year in New York, we adopted GA resolution 79293, and this confirms that the majority of member states reject the practice of imposing unilateral coercive measures. attempts to distort the world economy using unilateral coercive measures are the result of colonial thinking, which no longer functions in the context of the global market and a multipolar world order. Additionally, unilateral coercive measures also contradict the spirit and letter of Agenda 2030, whereby no country should be left behind. That slogan is particularly important when it comes to finding collective responses to new challenges such as transnational organized crime, the world drug problem, corruption, and criminal justice. Thank you.

I thank the Russian Federation. The United States has requested the floor. You have it.

Thank you, Chair. Chair, I just wanna verify that we're in the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, because we've heard a lot of talk of unilateral coercive measures, but also the spirit of Vienna and the need to leave things in New York that are discussed in New York. Sanctions are not typically discussed in the Commission on Narcotics and Drugs, on Narcotic Drugs, but I feel like I need to respond to what our colleagues have just stated. I want to underscore that 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 bona fide humanitarian-related trade assistance or activities. Thank you.

Thank you, United States. I now hand the floor to Canada.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We affirm that our autonomous sanctions are a legitimate, lawful, and sometimes necessary tool of foreign policy. The autonomous sanctions we adopt are implemented judiciously and transparently in full compliance with international law and our respective domestic legal systems. They are not imposed lightly. Rather, they are part of a broader policy framework that includes diplomacy, political dialogue and cooperation. Autonomous sanctions are a tool used to curb and address serious breaches of the international rules-based order, including in cases of systemic corruption, terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and widespread human rights violations. They signal that violations of international norms will not be ignored, impose reputational and financial costs on those responsible, and exert pressure to change behavior. Sanctions are not punitive measures for their own sake, but are intended to promote accountability, deter further harm, and help restore peace, stability, and respect for fundamental rights when other avenues of redress are unavailable or ineffective. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Canada. And now, we invite Iran for its intervention.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. 4th of December, identified as the International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures, and we often view that international cooperation is a cornerstone of all relevant international conventions. Accordingly, we emphasize the crucial role of UNODC in strengthening and facilitating such cooperation. In this context, we reiterate the importance of addressing the challenges and removing the obstacles that hinder countries' ability to meet their international obligations in combating illicit drugs and crime. Among the primary obstacles are unilateral coercive measures, which contravene international law and the UN Charter. These measures are further compounded by the politically motivated approach of certain donor countries that channel financial support to select projects and programs. This has resulted in systemic discrimination against several developing countries. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Australia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. Australia would just like to reject the description of our autonomous sanctions frameworks and those being imposed by a range of other nations as being inconsistent with international law or the UN Charter. Rather, they support the UN mandate to uphold global peace and security. Sanctions are rarely Australia's first choice and they're not imposed lightly. They are one of many foreign and economic policy tools available to governments to respond effectively to situations of international concern and support the UN's mandate on peace and security. They limit access to finance and materials such as weapons and impose financial and reputational costs on targeted individuals, entities, countries or regimes that contravene international laws and norms. Australia's autonomous sanctions are used judiciously to target egregious conduct contrary to widely accepted international standards, such as serious human rights violations and nuclear weapons proliferation. They play a vital role in seeking to protect vulnerable populations, prevent further harm, and promote accountability. By restricting the resources of those who seriously violate international legal norms, sanctions help deter future abuses and contribute to international security. Our autonomous sanctions do not undermine the UN Charter. They reinforce international law, including the Charter's universal principles, particularly where obstructionism within the UN Security Council means it is increasingly unable to act. Thank you.

Thank you. Just in the nick of time, China.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Unilateral coercive measures run seriously against the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, severely undermine the fundamental principles of international law, severely breaches the basic human rights such as the right to development and survival, and seriously hinders the implementation of the 2030 agenda, and also bring hard impact upon the international order as well as the global governance. system at present. This issue is yet to be effectively curtailed. Many of the developing countries as well as peoples in those countries are impacted seriously by these measures. To oppose these unilateral coercive measures, is the long-term core of the global community, especially from the global south. In the past decades, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted dozens of resolutions. We call a handful of countries to hit the core of the international community to immediately unconditionally lift all those unilateral coercive measures. As an important member of the global south, as well as a victim of these unilateral coercive measures, China will be guided by the global governance initiative, work together with all the relevant countries to firmly oppose all those measures as well as all the hegemonic pressure. practices safeguard the international system with the United Nations as the core as well as the international order based on international order and to advance to make the system more just and equitable. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, China. United Kingdom.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. The UK, like Australia and others, reject the false narrative on autonomous sanctions brought today, both in terms of the questions of legality and the questions of impact. UK autonomous sanctions are lawful, transparent and allow for due process protections and legal challenges. They apply to UK persons and interactions with the UK economy. There is no inconsistency or conflict with the UN Charter. UK economic sanctions are targeted and focused on deterring and disrupting egregious behaviour and demonstrating our support for international norms. The sanctions are carefully targeted and provide for a range of exceptions and licensing grounds, where appropriate and necessary, to support, for example, humanitarian assistance. We do not target essential foods nor medicines. We prioritize the assessment of humanitarian licensing applications to minimize delays and engage regularly with the humanitarian sector and their financial providers. Thank you.

Thanks, United Kingdom. I now invite Cuba.

Thank you very much, Chair.

As a number of colleagues have pointed out, yesterday was the commemoration of the International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures, an event to uphold international law, the sovereign equality of states, and respect for the Charter of the United Nations. Unilateral coercive measures are one of the key obstacles to sustainable development and to the full exercise of human rights. They are instruments of economic and political repression, indiscriminately punishing entire populations, restricting access to essential goods, affecting the well-being of millions of people, and undermining international cooperation. There is no legal justification or moral justification for these measures. Cuba fully understands the devastating impact of these policies. More than six decades, the Cuban people have been affected by a trade, financial, and economic blockade. And as we hold our discussions in the CND, we remind all countries of the need to ensure access of all countries to new equipment and material to tackle and detect drugs. as part of the global problem. Our country has been one of the victims of these measures following the imposition of unilateral coercive measures.

I thank Cuba. And now, France, you have the floor.

Thank you. Thank you, Chairperson. I would like to begin by expressing my regret that this discussion is taking place. This discussion on sanctions is taking place within CND. It's not the right place for it. But since this discussion has been brought to the table, we would like to also respond. Sanctions are an essential tool that's explicitly provided for by the UN Charter for maintaining international peace and security. They are for the use of the UN Security Council, first and foremost. As a permanent member, France supports their effectiveness. Countries must refrain from putting in place any unilateral measures that are not in conformity with international law, which is not the case of the restrictive measures that have been put in place by the EU, which are proportional and balanced. They are balanced in order to ensure that they don't have undue consequences. And they do not target civilian populations, medical goods, and so forth. They are not extraterritorial, and they target European actors, first and foremost. They are in line with international law, and they can be contested within the justice system. And they can also be rapidly reversed. In addition to being in line with the UN Charter, EU restrictive measures are used when members violate the Charter. We regret the instrumentalization by some countries of the concept of unilateral coercive measures. these countries are conflating illicit measures and measures that are in line with the UN Charter. They are seeking to distract attention from the reasons why these measures are undertaken in order to mask their own violations of international law. These are the same countries that claim to defend the Charter and which at the same time violate international law. We call upon all Member States to reject this double language and to uphold the Charter. Thank you.

Okay, I see no other requests for the floor. And now I would like to use my position as the Chair to present some other business as well. As Some of you would recall in the opening of the 68th session, as chair, I had proposed that we consider some measures as possible to bring the policy that we do in CND as the principal policy making organ of the United Nations system on drug related matters with our practitioners who are day and night are handling this very, very complex challenge. And one of the ways that we thought we could do that was to try and prepare a compendium of national experiences, highlighting successful measures, programs, and practical responses that have demonstrated tangible impact in addressing drug-related challenges with a focus on operational effectiveness. And through this compendium, the idea was that you could share it with respective practitioners in your home countries so that they could see how some other partners, other member states and other countries are handling similar challenges. And one of the key things was that we requested the contributions from the member states to also include contact points. so that in case practitioners wish to follow up directly and personally with these practitioners in other countries, they would have an opportunity to do so. I'm therefore very delighted to note that this initiative, as the Chair's initiative for the 68th session, met with a very positive response. We have 37 countries and the European Union which conveyed its input. Some of them conveyed more than one input. And this has all been compiled. And I'd like to thank all of them personally and on behalf of the CND for taking the time and effort to bring in this together. And that's been now made into a compendium, as you can see. It's available in electronic format and will be available on the CND website. And this has been structured along the 12 challenges that have been identified in the 2019 ministerial declaration. So therefore, this is also one of the steps that we have taken as the CND to the implementation of the commitments made in the ministerial declaration. So I would strongly encourage all of you to look at it and to use it as widely as possible. This is the CND in action. One of the things that I was keen to show was that we are not, shall we say, stepping back from the challenge. We are bringing in an element of positivity and can do to this whole discussion. It is a challenging situation, but even as we have data that shows that the problem is getting bigger, I think the responses from all of you and from especially our practitioners has been equally robust and effective. So therefore, this is also a salute to all of them who do a lot of hard work across the globe. This presentation, as I said, would be available online and I would encourage all of you to kindly distribute it. I just want one final note, I want to thank the Secretariat in particular George and specifically Doris Resh who very kindly have taken the time and the effort to put it together and also everybody else who helped to bring out this very colorful and very attractive looking e-publication. I am deeply grateful for your work and for your support. I assume there are no comments on this. Thank you very much. With your permission, I'd now move to the agenda item 12, adoption of the report of the Commission in its 68th session. In accordance with past practice, the finalization of those parts of the report on matters that we have discussed this morning will be compiled and finalized by myself as chair, with the assistance of my very able rapporteur, Mr. Mohammed Amin Boukhriess of Morocco, whose work I commend and thank, and also all the members of the Secretariat. Are there any comments on this? Thank you. It is so decided. Before we proceed with the adoption, I will request delegations to abstain from taking the floor if their comments relate to editorial or translation matters. and kindly provide those comments in writing to the secretariat. I first invite the commission to turn his attention to document E slash CN dot seven twenty twenty-five slash L one slash add eight. Which contains the part of the report on organization of the session and administrative matters. Are there any comments? Can I invite? the commission to adopt Is a, is a report coming up? Yeah. Can I invite the commission to adopt this part of the report? It is so decided. Thank you. That was not intended. There is no mood lighting in CND. Let's now turn to the portion of the document dealing with our discussions on item four of the agenda entitled Strategic Management, Budgetary and Administrative Questions. This is contained in E/CN.7/2025/L.1/Add.9. Any comments? I see none. Can I invite the Commission to adopt this part of the report? Thank you. It is so decided. We now turn to that part of the report dealing with our discussions on item 9 of the agenda, entitled "Contributions by the Commission to the work of the Economic and Social Council". including follow-up to and the review and implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is contained in E/CN.7/2025/L.1/Add.10. Are there any comments on this part of the report? May I invite the Commission to adopt this part of the report? Thank you. It is so decided. We will now consider the part of the report that deals with our discussions on agenda item 5, entitled "Implementation of the international drug control treaties". It is contained in E/CN.7/2025/L.1/Add.11. This part of the report is available only in English language. Are there any comments? I see none. Can I invite the Commission to adopt this part of the report? It is so decided. As mentioned earlier, the report will be compiled and finalized by myself and the rapporteur. Furthermore, the reconvened session of the Commission will transmit a decision to bring its report to the attention of the Council. This is also the case with the report of the previous sessions. This report will contain a draft decision to this effect for adoption by the Economic and Social Council. Are there any comments or questions? It is so decided. Thank you very much. We will now move to the closure of the 68th session and the opening of the 69th session and election of the Bureau of that session. Distinguished delegates, we have concluded the work program for the 68th session of the Commission. I wish to congratulate each one of you for your successful work and would like to thank all of you for the very warm cooperation that you have extended to me in the functioning of the Commission at its 68th session. I would also like to thank all the members of the secretariat, the interpreters and all the technical teams. who have worked very hard to make sure that we could have productive and successful and prolonged, occasionally prolonged, discussions. I would like to thank the colleagues in the Bureau, all my Vice-Chairs, and thank you, Peter, for that salute, and also for all the difficult decisions that we had to take. I think they were taken in the spirit of a constructive spirit, a determination that we should, despite our differences, make as much progress as possible. That, I think, is the sum of the Vienna Spirit as well. Not that we don't have differences, but despite them, we show the ability and the intent to make progress. And therefore, I thank also all the permanent missions in Vienna who have contributed also to the preparations of the 68th reconvened session and for participating in preparations for the forthcoming 69th session. Let me conclude by requesting you to please remain seated after I close the 68th session, because there is one more important matter we have to attend to. Is there anybody, before I do that, is there anybody who wishes to take the floor? Perfection does not need any comment. Okay. With this, I declare the 68th session of the Commission closed. We will now proceed with the opening of the 69th session of the Commission for the purpose of electing the Chairperson and Bureau of that session. As you may recall, in line with ECOSOC resolution 1999/30 and the Rules of Procedure of the functional commissions, the Commission should elect at the end of its reconvened session today a Chairperson, three Vice-Chairpersons and a Rapporteur for its 69th session. In view of the rotation of officers based on the regional distribution, the chairperson of the Commission was to be nominated from among the members of the Commission belonging to the group of Eastern European States. I have the honour to inform the Commission that the Eastern European group has nominated His Excellency Ambassador Andranik Hovhannisyan, Permanent Representative of Armenia, for the position of chairperson of the 69th session of the Commission. If there are no objections, I propose that the commission elect Ambassador Hovani Sian as chair of the 69th session of the commission by acclamation. I see no objection. It is so decided. On behalf of the Commission, I would now like to congratulate His Excellency Ambassador Hovhannisyan to his election and having seen him in action over the last year, in particular in the CAU and in various extended Bureau meetings, I have absolutely no doubt that he is the right man to guide the Commission in its 69th session. I welcome you, Ambassador Hovhannisyan, to come to the podium and take your seat.

Well, this was a long handshake. Thank you very much for your patience. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank you for the trust you have placed in me by electing me as the chairperson of the 69th session. I would like to take this opportunity to thank distinguished Ambassador Kumaran for his leadership, dedication, and for steering up very ably throughout the 68th session and for the preparations of the 69th session of the Commission. Distinguished colleagues, it is a great honor for Armenia to assume the chairmanship of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. I am grateful for the trust and confidence that Member States have placed in me, and I accept this responsibility with a profound sense of duty. The Commission on Narcotic Drugs, as the principal drug policy-making body of the United Nations, stands at the forefront of the international community's efforts to address the world drug problem in all its dimensions. The challenges before us are significant, but so too are the opportunities to advance responses. As Chair, I am committed to fostering an atmosphere of dialogue, mutual respect, and constructive engagement. I will work closely with all delegations to ensure that the Commission remains a platform for meaningful cooperation. Together, we must continue strengthening international collaboration, promoting comprehensive and integrated approaches, and upholding our shared commitments under the international drug control conventions. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Secretariat for its dedicated and tireless efforts that enables us to fulfill our responsibilities in a most efficient manner. I would also like to extend my gratitude to all the technical staff and the interpreters. Distinguished delegates, I look forward to productive and cooperative work. Let us approach our efforts with a shared sense of purpose, guided by the principles of partnership, multilateralism, and solidarity. Together, we can advance a healthier, safer, and more resilient future for all of us. Finally, I would like also to assure you that I will work closely with the members of the Bureau who will be elected today in discharging the mandate of the 69th session. We will now proceed with the election of the other members of the Bureau. Following consultations in the regional groups, And in view of rotation of officers based on regional distribution, the following officers have been proposed for the position of first vice chair, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Portman, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the United Nations from the Western European and other states group. Second vice chair, Her Excellency, Ambassador Maria Eugenia Echevarria, Permanent Representative of Peru. from the Latin American and Caribbean States Group. Third Vice Chair, Her Excellency Ambassador Mayumutana Outara, Permanent Representative of Burkina Faso from African States. And the rapporteur, Mr. Vikramjit Dugal, Counselor, Permanent Mission of India from Asia Pacific Group. May I propose that the Commission elects was elected officers by acclamation. It is so decided. We have now concluded the election of the Bureau. We will meet again in March 2026 for the regular 69th session of the Commission, for which we will prepare in full consultation with all Member States under the guidance of the extended Bureau. I thank you all for your cooperation. Let me also seize this opportunity to wish everyone a very nice festive season, prosperous new year, and also to wish all those who are returning to their countries to have a nice and safe journey back. The session is adjourned. Thank you.