National Conference on Demand Reduction

22-23 April 2001, Egypt

On 22 and 23 April, the UNODC Regional Office and the Egyptian National Council for Motherhood and Childhood (NCCM) organized a national conference on demand reduction entitled “Together We Protect the Youth from Drugs”. The conference took place in Cairo under the chairmanship of Egypt's First Lady, Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak.

The event helped start the planning and preparation process for a demand reduction action plan for Egypt by 2003 in-conjunction with the 1998 UN Special Session. More importantly, it provided a forum to gather input from young people. Approximately 150 youth had the opportunity to ask questions of government ministers and experts in the presence of Egypt's First Lady. The Secretary-General of the NCCM, Ms. Mushira Khattab, and the UNODC Regional Representative, Mr. Mehdi Ali, provided assistance to Mrs. Mubarak at the conference.

The conference was broadcast live on television and received extensive media coverage. The UNODC representative presented the First Lady with a placard in appreciation for her commitment to protect youth from the dangers of illicit drugs.

The second day of the conference was devoted to the development of the sub-components of the National Action Plan by working groups.

In early May, the First Lady held a follow-up meeting with eight government ministers to discuss the conference and start preparation of the National Action Plan.