EU Statement – UN General Assembly 3rd Committee: Interactive dialogue with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Chair,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

We thank the UN Office on Drugs and Crime for this insightful presentation, and its valuable work to further strengthen the links between the UN in Vienna and in New York. We also take the opportunity to welcome the appointment of Ms. Li as the new Representative of the New York Liaison Office and express our appreciation to Ms. Schantz for the valuable cooperation over the past years.

The EU fully endorses UNODC’s broad mandate, firmly anchored in the respect, advancement and realisation of human rights. We greatly appreciate UNODC’s recognised expertise on international drug control; in addressing and combating transnational organised crime, corruption, drug trafficking, and drug use and terrorism; and in enhancing criminal justice systems and upholding the rule of law.

Ms. Welsch, allow me to outline three of our key priorities:

First, the European Union considers the fight against trafficking in persons a top priority, reinforcing judicial cooperation and prosecution through the work of the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator and Eurojust’s Anti-Trafficking Team. We are addressing emerging forms of exploitation, including trafficking for the purpose of organ removal, the misuse of artificial intelligence, and cases involving child victims. In light of the evolving geopolitical and technological landscape, we stress the need to adapt our criminal justice responses to ensure strong judicial and law enforcement cooperation, so that perpetrators are effectively prosecuted and convicted.

Second, the EU prioritises international cooperation on security with global partners worldwide, for example through new agreements signed between Europol and partner countries allowing for the exchange of information, with strong safeguards to protect fundamental rights.

Third, the EU prioritises legal and technical advances to ensure law enforcement authorities have effective, lawful access to digital data, including through updating data retention rules, advancing digital forensics and responsibly addressing encryption challenges; always with strong protection for the individual’s rights.

Ms. Welsch, please allow us to pose two questions of particular interest:

The EU Strategy on drugs is structured around three policy areas that will all contribute to achieving its aim: (I.) Drug supply reduction: Enhancing Security, (II.) Drug demand reduction: prevention, treatment and care services, and (III.) Addressing drug-related harm; Given the findings of the World Drug report 2025, how does UNODC plan to further integrate prevention, supply and demand reduction as well as recovery-orientated harm reduction measures into its global drug policy work, and how can Member States best support these efforts?

Secondly, considering the ongoing UN80 process and the need to identify opportunities to increase efficiency through potential structural changes and programme realignment, where concretely can UNODC improve efficiencies in its cooperation and coordination with other UN organisations, and how can Member States best support such improved cooperation? 

Thank you.