EU Statement on agenda item 6 as delivered at the 65th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) on 16 March 2022
Agenda item 6: Follow-up on 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
Distinguished Chair, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour to participate in this meeting and 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.
The European Union strongly condemns the acts of aggression committed by Russia in Ukraine, which are threatening international security and violate our common principles as United Nations. This context should not prevent those States and all stakeholders that remain faithful to the principles of the UN Charter and to Human Rights, to work together to improve the world drug situation and achieve the commitments of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration.
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.
With the continued menace of the coronavirus, it remains of utmost importance to stay fully committed to rapidly implement the 2016 UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) Outcome Document, which remains the most comprehensive international drug policy document. For another year, the COVID-19 pandemic has more than tested the international community’s responsiveness in the fields of health, development, security and human rights – a cross cutting approach which it shares with the objective of drug control. With the critical aim of protecting and promoting the health, dignity, peace, security and prosperity of all, the continued dedication and increased efforts on the implementation to address and counter all aspects of the world drug situation remain crucial.
The EU and its Member States remain committed to safeguarding our future and ensuring that no one will be left behind by enhancing our efforts to bridge the gaps in addressing the persistent and emerging trends and challenges of the world drug situation through implementation of our various commitments and the multi-year work plan of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).
The EU continues to strongly support the Outcome Document of the 2016 United Nations General Assembly Special Session which affirms a human rights-centred approach, ensuring the promotion and the respect for the dignity and human rights of people who use drugs and which reiterates the importance of cooperation to ensure human rights-based drug control and address impunity for serious human rights violations in the context of drug control efforts. Therefore, the EU reiterates its concern regarding the cancellation of the presentation of the Chair-Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council's Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which was planned to be delivered at the 64th reconvened session of the CND, pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolution 42/22. When implementing our multi-level commitments to address the world drug situation, we should get back to our practice of reinforcing the understanding of all aspects of the world drug situation and of joining forces in addressing it, in order to accelerate our efforts in moving forward together.
The European Union and its Member States continue to emphasise that drug policies based on an integrated, balanced, evidence-based, and multidisciplinary approach prove to be the most effective for addressing the world drug situation. This approach is reaffirmed in the EU Drugs Strategy 2021-2025, and in the subsequent EU Drugs Action Plan, approved last June. The Action Plan aims to implement the priorities of the Strategy in three policy areas of drug supply reduction, drug demand reduction and addressing drug-related harm as well as in three cross-cutting themes of international cooperation, research, innovation and foresight, and coordination, governance and implementation. In drawing up 85 specific actions which are evidence-based, scientifically sound, realistic, time-bound and measurable, the Action Plan facilitates effective implementation of measures aimed to ensure a high level of health protection, social stability and security, as well as to contribute to awareness raising. It also incorporates gender equality and health equity perspective, thus taking a people-centred and human rights oriented approach in its drug policy.
The continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic teaches us to take a future-oriented approach anticipating challenges. Research, innovation and foresight are essential elements for effective world drug policy, as identified in the EU Drugs Strategy and the Action Plan. The international community can only benefit from joining efforts and resources, enhancing exchange of information and best practices and incorporating evidence-based research and data collection to address the world drug situation at all levels.
At this 65th session of the CND, two EU Member States on behalf of the EU propose the adoption of a resolution focusing on the promotion of comprehensive and scientific evidence-based early prevention. With this resolution, we aim to emphasise the importance of accessible demand reduction services and the promotion, as appropriate, of healthy lifestyles ensuring that children and youth, especially those of parents with substance-use disorders, are provided access to appropriate prevention measures and health-care services, in order to further advance our efforts in addressing and improving the world drug situation in an effective and inclusive manner, that fully respects human rights and the inherent dignity of all persons.
Distinguished Chair,
The EU welcomes both the constructive and fruitful Thematic Discussions held at the CND intersessional meeting last October and the indefinite extension of the mandate of FinGov at the joint reconvened Session of the CND and Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) session in December 2021, which will advance the implementation of the 2021-2025 UNODC Strategy. With continuous commitment and close partnership with the UNODC, the EU and its Member States look forward to advancing efforts, and uniquely contributing to promoting health, peaceful and inclusive societies and advancing the rule of law by tackling the multifaceted and complex challenges the world drug situation poses.
The EU underlines that the work on drug policies and the SDGs are complementary and mutually reinforcing. Therefore, our persistent efforts remain of crucial importance not only working towards SDG-3 of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all by strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance use, including narcotic drug use and harmful use of alcohol, but also in relation to SDG-16 in promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice, contributing to the reduction of violence and related deaths, and promoting the rule of law. With the implementation of our commitments enshrined in the UNGASS ranging from demand reduction and prevention, supply reduction and effective law enforcement to the promotion of alternative development, our work immediately contributes to achieving some of the most relevant goals of our time in order to help to ensure that all people can live in health, dignity and peace, with security and prosperity.
To conclude, I would like to reiterate that the EU and its Member States will continue to support the UNODC, to maintain our collective efforts in accelerating the implementation of joint commitments at national, regional and international level, and to embrace an effective and sustainable drug policy towards 2030.
Thank you, Chair.
*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.