EU Statement at CND69 on the follow-up to 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, 11 March 2026
Distinguished Chair, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Republic of Moldova, San Marino, Serbia, and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.
I would like to reaffirm our commitment to the continued and effective implementation of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration and the 2016 UNGASS Outcome Document. We remain dedicated to addressing the global drug situation in accordance with the International Drug Control Conventions. These efforts are guided by our concern for the health and well-being of humankind, the principles of the United Nations Charter, and other key international instruments, particularly those related to human rights.
We recall the High-level declaration by the CND on the 2024 mid-term review, which reaffirmed the “need to take further ambitious, effective, improved and decisive actions, including, where appropriate, innovative measures” to address drug-related challenges in a manner that is rooted in scientific evidence and respect for human rights. As we look ahead to the 2029 review of our progress in implementing all our international drug policy commitments, in line with the Ministerial Declaration of 2019 and taking into account the outcomes of the midterm review in 2024, the EU and its Member States recognize the progress made, but also the persistent and emerging challenges requiring further collective and evidence-based action.
The EU reiterates its support for the“Pledge4Action” initiative launched during the high-level segment in 2024. It represents an important step forward in mobilizing concrete and impactful actions by Member States and stakeholders that contribute to addressing the challenges identified in the 2019 Ministerial Declaration. For its part, the EU continues with the implementation of its pledge to increase its preparedness which is reflected in the EU Drugs Strategy, where enhancing EU and national preparedness to anticipate and respond to drug-related health and security threats is now a separate pillar. Concretely, we are upgrading our European early warning system to identify swiftly and systematically new psychoactive substances and disseminate this information to the Member States. We have launched a European drug alert system, and the EUDA is now undertaking health and security threat assessments, including on highly potent synthetic opioids in Europe. On this basis it can issue targeted rapid health and security alerts.
The EU Drugs Strategy, presented by the European Commission, sets out a comprehensive EU response to the security, health, social and environmental challenges linked to the trafficking and use of illicit drugs. The strategy continues its emphasis on enhancing EU and national preparedness, protecting public health, improving security and addressing drug-related harm. The EU also continues to emphasise the importance of building strong partnerships with our international partners while promoting comprehensive stakeholder collaboration through a whole-of-society approach, actively engaging civil society.
Recent data, including the 2025 World Drug Report, underscore that a new era of global instability is intensifying the challenges related to drug issues. Socioeconomic vulnerabilities are growing across the globe, and more people are being exposed to the drugs. In this environment, cross-sectoral, interagency, and international cooperation is crucial to safeguarding the most vulnerable populations. It is also essential that health remains at the core of our response to minimise the impact of drug use disorders.
Mr Chair,
In the context of its new Drug Strategy, the EU reiterates the critical importance of multilateralism, shared responsibility and a development-oriented approach protecting health, respecting human rights, dignity, and the rule of law in addressing the world drug situation.
Thank you, Mr. Chair