United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Commissions

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice are both functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council. Their decisions and resolutions provide guidance in their respective areas to Member States and UNODC. Technical and substantive assistance to the Commissions is provided by the Secretariat to the Governing Bodies.

Rules of Procedure | Delegates' Handbook | Side Events

Commission on Narcotic Drugs

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs is the central policymaking body within the United Nations system dealing with drug-related matters. The Commission monitors the world drug situation, develops strategies on international drug control and recommends measures to combat the world drug problem, including through reducing demand for drugs, promoting alternative development initiatives and adopting supply reduction measures. The Commission provides Member States with a venue to exchange expertise, experiences and information on drug-related matters and to develop a coordinated response. It also has functions under the international drug control treaties, for example with regard to the substances under international control.

Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice is the central body within the United Nations system dealing with crime prevention and criminal justice policy, including trafficking in persons, transnational crime and aspects of terrorism prevention. It monitors the use and application of relevant United Nations standards and norms and guides policy development in response to emerging forms of crime. The Commission offers Member States a forum to exchange expertise, experiences and information, to develop national and international strategies and to identify priorities for combating crime. The Commission coordinates its efforts with other United Nations bodies that have specific mandates in the areas of crime and criminal justice, including the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption. The Commission also acts as preparatory body to the United Nations Crime Congresses.

Working group on governance and finance

Both Commissions have tasked a standing open-ended intergovernmental working group with considering how to improve the governance structure and financial situation of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.