At its 57th annual session (13-21 March 2014), the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) welcomed 230 NGO representatives from 67 organizations around the world.
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fHigh-Level
Briefing Panel attended by H.M. Queen
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ffSilvia of Sweden and UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson
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The Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC) organized the third Informal Civil Society Hearing (3rd iCSH) on 12 March 2014. NGO representatives, UN experts and representatives of Member States discussed the need to use a health-based approach in the implementation of the international drug control conventions. NGO representatives agreed on several issues to serve as their mandate in preparation for the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on the world drug problem in 2016.
The summary of the discussion was presented on 13 March 2014 during the "High-Level Briefing on the Conclusions of the Third Informal Civil Society Hearing and the 2014 UNODC Scientific Consultation: Addressing Drug Use through a Health-Based Approach".
The honorary chair of the event, Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, welcomed the conclusions of the 3rd iCSH and encouraged NGOs to continue their hard work, especially in preparation for UNGASS 2016.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson |
NGO representatives participated in the three round-table discussions which took place during the High-Level Segment (13-14 March 2014), focusing on the progress made in the implementation by Member States of the 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action.
During the 57th regular session of the CND (17-21 March 2014) NGOs organized 20 side events in collaboration with UNODC, WHO and Member States. A summary of the presentations made during the side events will be available on the website of the VNGOC.
Finally, following a well-established tradition, the VNGOC organized an informal dialogue with UNODC Executive Director, Mr. Yury Fedotov. The event allowed for a substantive and frank debate, which was appreciated by the participants.
* A comprehensive guide produced by the VNGOC for NGOs attending the CND is now available through this link