Commission on Narcotic Drugs

Thematic debate / Round table discussions

The agenda of the Commission at each session foresees specific themes to be addressed under the item "Thematic debate". Panellists, selected for their expertise and on the basis of geographical distribution, are invited to participate in the "Thematic debate" to lead and to ensure a focused, interactive discussion. Since 2011, round table discussions have replaced the thematic debate in the plenary on a provisional basis. The Commission agreed on the following themes for the following sessions:

  • Fifty-fourth session (March 2011): "Round-table discussions:
    (a) Regional and international cooperation in combating the world drug problem and its connection with organized crime;
    (b) Revitalization of the principle of joint and shared responsibility as the centrepiece of international cooperation to confront the challenges posed by the world drug problem, in a manner consistent with the relevant United Nations conventions and declarations;
    (c) Addressing key public health and safety issues such as addictive behaviours of youth and drugged driving."
  • Fifty-third session (March 2010): "Thematic debate: in the context of a balanced approach to reducing drug demand and supply, measures to enhance awareness of the different aspects of the world drug problem, including by improving understanding of how to tackle the problem".
  • Fifty-second session (March 2009): "Thematic debate on tools for enhancing the effectiveness of international drug control and international cooperation in the fight against drugs, specifically: (a) Data collection for effective drug control, including on the misuse of cyberspace; (b) Strengthening of regional and cross-border cooperation, including datasharing".
  • Fifty-first session (March 2008): "Thematic debate on the follow-up to the twentieth special session of the General Assembly: general overview and progress achieved by Governments in meeting the goals and targets for the years 2003 and 2008 set out in the Political Declaration adopted by the Assembly at its twentieth special session."
  • Fiftieth session (March 2007): "Thematic debate on new challenges for controlling precursor chemicals"
  • Forty-ninth session (March 2006): "Thematic debate on alternative development as an important drug control strategy and establishing alternative development as a cross cutting issue".
  • Forty-eighth session (March 2005): "Thematic debate on drug abuse prevention, treatment and rehabilitation: (a) community capacity-building; (b) Preventing HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne diseases in the context of drug abuse prevention".
  • Forty-seventh session (March 2004): "Synthetic drugs and control of precursors: production of, trafficking in and abuse of synthetic drugs, including methaqualone (Mandrax); strengthening systems for the control of precursor chemicals and to prevent diversion of and trafficking in such chemicals".
  • Forty-sixth session (April 2003): No thematic debate because of the ministerial-level meeting of the Commission.
  • Forty-fifth session (March 2002): "Follow-up to the Action Plan on the Eradication of Illicit Drug Crops and on Alternative Development".
  • Forty-fourth session (March 2001): "Building partnerships to address the world drug problem".