Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, as well as San Marino align themselves with this statement.

The EU attaches great importance to a human rights-based approach to the world drug situation. We regret that this aspect is not fully reflected in the resolution at hand, as the Human Rights Council and its relevant resolutions are not acknowledged at all.

Furthermore, the EU expresses its unwavering commitment and support to the UNODC’s comprehensive mandate, which is closely linked to human rights, respect for fundamental freedoms and for international drugs conventions. We acknowledge the principal role of UNODC in monitoring the situation, developing strategies on international drug control and recommending measures to address the problem. This is complemented by the important work of other relevant UN entities such as UN Women, UNDP, OHCHR, UNAIDS and the WHO, as well as civil society, including affected communities. We regret that not all relevant bodies, like UN Women and OHCHR, were mentioned in the resolution at hand. 

This concern should be shared by all UN Member States. The most recent political declaration by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs on the 2024 midterm review, adopted at the 67th session just this March, was agreed by all of us as a way forward for cooperation at all levels. It shows a clear commitment to fostering comprehensive, balanced, integrated, multidisciplinary and scientific evidence-based policies and initiatives to promote better implementation of all international drug policy commitments, placing the health and well-being, human rights, public security and safety of all members of society, in particular those most affected by or at risk of illicit drug-related activities, at the centre of our efforts.

The reference to the CND outcome document links to concerns of a more procedural nature, as we insist that the Commission on Narcotic Drugs with its mandate to review and analyse the global drug situation, considering supply and demand reduction, must remain the main forum for drug-related resolutions. We regret that this resolution was not tabled at the 67^th session of the CND, the forum where this text should have been addressed. Although the principal role of CND is mentioned in the resolution, which we appreciate, we view the shift of relevant processes away from the CND to the plenary of the General Assembly as problematic. It results in a potential undermining of the CND, through undesired duplications and an increased risk of diverging wording and approaches. The latter concern is further exacerbated by the regional approach taken by the resolution at hand.

Nevertheless, we thank facilitator Uzbekistan for their efforts during the negotiations and for accommodating a number of our main concerns, which allows the EU to join consensus on the text.

Thank you.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.