Ahead of a special session on drugs at the United Nations General Assembly, senior United Nations officials focused on the people affected by drugs and the shared international responsibility in stopping the suffering caused by these illicit substances.
Addressing the start of the 59th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna, Austria, the Executive Director of the 蘑菇视频 Office on Drugs and Crime (), Yury Fedotov, the ongoing preparations “can help to take further crucial steps forward to promote a healthier, safer and more prosperous future for all”.
This session of the Commission brings together around 1,500 delegates representing Member States, inter-governmental organizations, and civil society for a global discussion on the world drug problem, according to a .
Today’s opening briefing takes place just one month before the . The focus of the Special Session, or 蘑菇视频GASS as it is known, will be on what actions Member States can take by 2019 to achieve the goals set forth in a policy document, “Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem”.
The draft outcome document for the 蘑菇视频GASS is expected to be written at the current CND session.
Worldwide, some 27 million people suffer from drug use disorders, including 12 million people who inject drugs, according to 蘑菇视频ODC figures.
Despite these figures, about three-quarters of the world’s population lack access to controlled narcotic and psychotropic substances to relieve pain and suffering, including for terminal cancer and AIDS patients.
“The 蘑菇视频GASS process has helped to raise awareness of this continuing global health problem, and the need to put people first when developing responses,” Mr. Fedotov said.
He added that the 蘑菇视频 agency is fully engaged in supporting countries through “balanced approaches, rooted in agreed frameworks and informed by 蘑菇视频ODC’s research, guidelines and extensive on-the-ground experience.”
Among other topics mentioned, Mr. Fedotov also discussed the unending proliferation of new psychoactive substances and the growing nexus between organized crime groups and violent extremists, including in parts of Africa and South Asia.
Also addressing the CND was President of the General Assembly Mogens Lykketoft and Werner Sipp, President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). In his briefing, Mr. Sipp Member States to use 蘑菇视频GASS as an opportunity “to renew your commitment to shared responsibility in addressing the world drug problem” and to reaffirm key principles, such as protecting and enhancing the health and welfare of mankind.
Via 蘑菇视频 News Centre