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, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Republic of Moldova, Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.

The EU and its Member States remain fully committed to the effective implementation of the commitments made in the 2016 UNGASS Outcome Document and reiterated in the 2019 Ministerial Declaration. These commitments remain central to addressing the multifaceted challenges of the global drug situation, in full conformity with the international drug control conventions, the Charter of the United Nations, and international human rights instruments.

We welcome the continued focus on thematic discussions in line with the new CND workplan agreed in 2024 and the possibility to address other substantive matters, which reflects the evolving dynamics of drug-related challenges. The EU and its Member States recognise the progress made, but also the persistent and emerging challenges requiring further collective and evidence-based action. In this regard, 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.

The “Pledge4Action” initiative launched during the high-level segment in 2024 represents an important step forward in mobilising concrete and impactful actions by Member States and stakeholders. The EU reiterates its support for this initiative and encourages all Member States to actively implement pledges 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 and capacity to react to future developments by empowering our EU Drugs Agency to carry out proactive threat assessments and to develop a rapid European drug alert system complementary to our already existing Early Warning System that will contribute to safeguarding public health and security.

The EU Drugs Strategy 2021–2025 continues to serve as a guiding framework for our work. It emphasises a balanced, integrated, evidence-based and multidisciplinary approach focusing on reducing drug supply and drug demand, and addressing drug-related harm. It also underlines the importance of international cooperation, research, innovation, and foresight. These principles guide our commitment to ensuring that drug policies are effective, inclusive, and respect the inherent dignity of all individuals.

Recent data and reports, including the 2024 World Drug Report, highlight critical issues, such as the continued diversification of drug markets, the proliferation of synthetic opioids and cathinones, and the gaps in access to treatment services, particularly for vulnerable populations, including women and young people. 

In addressing these issues, the EU and its Member States are implementing a human rights-based approach with a range of measures that prioritise prevention, treatment, risk and harm reduction, as well as recovery, which is in compliance with the three international drug conventions, while ensuring the meaningful involvement of civil society, scientific experts, and affected communities.

In addressing the challenges posed by synthetic drugs, new psychoactive substances, and poly-substance use, the EU calls for enhanced cooperation at all levels, strengthened forensic capacities, and improved data collection to inform evidence-based policymaking. These efforts must be complemented by robust capacity-building initiatives to support Member States in implementing effective drug policies.

On the topic of synthetic drugs, let me also highlight that the EU and its Member States have actively been taking part in the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drugs Threats and remain committed to the implementation of pledges undertaken based on the findings of the Global Coalition. We also aim to address the issue of safety of officers in dismantling synthetic opioid laboratories, and therefore Poland tabled a CND resolution on behalf of the EU on this important topic.

The EU and its Member States also remain committed to promoting sustainable development-oriented drug policies. Efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to counter the world drug situation are mutually reinforcing. For instance, development-oriented approaches, including alternative development, are crucial to addressing the socioeconomic root causes of illicit drug cultivation and trafficking.

We also underscore the need to address the environmental impact of illicit drug cultivation, production, manufacture and trafficking, with France tabling a CND resolution on this topic on behalf of the EU. The EU is working to incorporate sustainability into its drug policies, recognising the importance of mitigating environmental harm caused by these illicit activities as well as investigating and prosecuting them. 

Finally, the EU and its Member States reaffirm their unwavering support for the UNODC. We remain dedicated to maintaining our collective efforts to accelerate the implementation of our joint commitments, ensuring that our actions contribute to healthier, safer, and more inclusive societies.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.