At its 56th annual session (11-15 March, 2013), the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) welcomed 164 NGO representatives from 56 organizations around the world.
Building on last year's experience, the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC) organized the second Informal Civil Society Hearing on March 11, 2013. CSO representatives, UN experts, and representatives of Member States came together in an effort to explore ways in which CSOs can significantly contribute to the realization of the objectives included in the 2009 Plan of Action. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity for CSOs to strengthen their contribution and start planning for the 2014 High-level Segment Review, as well as the 2016 UNGASS on drugs.
NGOs organized 13 side events in collaboration with UNODC and Member States. A summary of the presentations made during the side events is available here.
Moreover, NGO representatives participated in the three round-table discussions focusing on the progress made in the implementation by Member States of the Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem.
Finally, the VNGOC organized an informal dialogue with UNODC Executive Director, Mr. Yury Fedotov, which provided a platform for a substantive and honest exchange between the Executive Director and CSOs.