EU Statement on agenda item 5c as delivered at the 65th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) on 15 March 2022

Agenda item 5c: International Narcotics Control Board (INCB)

Distinguished Chair, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The following countries align themselves with this statement: the Republic of North Macedonia^*, Montenegro*, Serbia*, Albania*, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Iceland⁺, Norway+, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia, Andorra and San Marino.

At the outset, let me emphasise that Russia's unprovoked, unjustified and premeditated military aggression against Ukraine, in violation of the UN Charter and international humanitarian law, will obviously have devastating consequences for all efforts to organise treatment services for people who use drugs, and makes it impossible for Ukraine to fulfil its reporting obligations.

The EU demands that Russia immediately ceases its military actions, withdraws all its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine and fully respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders.

The EU and its Member States remain committed to the effective implementation of the three international drug control conventions as part of a comprehensive, integrated and balanced drug control policy concerned with the health and welfare of human-kind as well as the various problems resulting from the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as recognised in UNGASS, which highlights the inextricable link of the implementation of the international drug control treaties with the applicable human rights obligations and the protection and respect of the dignity and human rights of all individuals.

The EU’s external relations in the field of drugs are based on the principles of shared responsibility, multilateralism, the promotion of a development-oriented approach, respect for human rights and human dignity, the rule of law and respect for the international drug control conventions. The EU Drugs Strategy 2021-2025 and the EU Action Plan on Drugs, which pursues the aims and objectives of the Strategy and which was adopted last year, provide comprehensive strategic priorities and actions to implement an evidence-based, integrated, balanced and multidisciplinary approach foreseeing a strong partnership with the INCB, WHO and UNODC and other relevant UN bodies to advance health, human rights and development and to address the world drug situation at various levels.

The EU welcomes the INCB's 2021 Annual Report with analysis of the drug control situation worldwide, and the 2021 Report on Precursors.

We welcome the thematic focus of the INCB 2021 Annual Report on the impact of illicit financial flows related to drug trafficking and their impact on development and security. This is also one of the priorities of the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan, including the disruption and dismantling of high-risk drug-related organised crime groups. More generally, we strongly support the INCB’s increased focus on a health and human rights-based approach, and the opposition to the death penalty for drug-related offences. We believe that this approach is in line with the INCB’s mandate to support member States in the implementation of the Conventions, and that it is a positive contribution to addressing the world drug situation.

Furthermore, we welcome the INCB initiative to formulate common standards on cannabis, the intergovernmental meetings on reporting and monitoring standards for the international drug control requirements of cannabis and cannabis-related substances for medical and scientific purposes, and are following these developments with close attention. The INCB's efforts in providing guidance to United Nations Member States and their respective Competent National Authorities are well appreciated. Such standards and further concerted efforts of the international community are needed to clarify reporting obligations, for the development of efficient international cooperation and for securing the availability and accessibility of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes while also preventing the diversion for illicit purposes.

As the INCB highlighted at the Special Event commemorating the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in 2021, evidence-based drug policy is a prerequisite to ensuring health and well-being. Therefore, the EU and its Member States welcome the Board's commitment to supporting Member States in implementing the drug control conventions and advancing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 3. We believe programmes such as INCB Learning and GRIDS to be valuable contributions providing important capacity building and training, which bolsters the implementation of the UNGASS and enhances global cooperation to address the world drug situation.

To conclude, we would like to assure the INCB of the continued commitment and support by the EU and its Member States aiming towards a fruitful and effective cooperation.

Thank you very much.

*Candidate Countries the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania as well as potential Candidate Country Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

+Iceland and Norway are members of the EFTA and of the European Economic Area.