Director General/Executive Director
Distinguished participants,
It is a great pleasure to be with you here today at the Third Informal Civil Society Hearing.
Welcome to Ambassador Shamaa of Egypt, the Chairperson of the 57th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs.
I would like to thank the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs and its Chair, Mr. Michel Perron, for organizing this event.
This hearing is particularly important in view of the High-Level Review by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the UN General Assembly special session on the world drug problem in 2016.
UNODC has a long-standing relationship with the Vienna NGO Committee. I commend and appreciate your efforts in successfully creating a forum where the voices of all NGOs can be represented, a space where NGOs can interact with Member States and offer substantive input on strategies and plans related to addressing the world drug problem.
It is indeed an added value to have so many NGO representatives here present and participating in this joint effort to put health at the heart of the drug control system.
In this way we adhere to the spirit of the international drug control conventions, which aim to protect the health and welfare of humankind.
Implementing the conventions through a health-centric approach, one that emphasizes prevention, rights-based treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration, has produced results.
Prevention and drug treatment policies and programmes, based on scientific evidence, monitoring, and evaluation, save money and lives.
The experience of civil society in providing treatment and support to affected populations is vital in this regard. In addition, the contribution of NGOs and academia to evidence-based research has supported more strategic, effective and efficient responses to illicit drug use and supply.
The Scientific Consultation held yesterday was an important opportunity to hear from the academic community on addressing issues of drugs and health.
NGOs are crucial partners not only in the implementation of the 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action, but also in doing work on the ground that is helping to protect and save lives.
I would like to take this occasion to thank the many NGOs who are working with UNODC all over the world, from Afghanistan to Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa to South East Asia, to provide essential, evidence-based services to those in need, including drug users and their families, as well as children at risk.
We need to further promote the active and meaningful participation of civil society in the development and implementation of drug control policies.
I therefore encourage regular and constructive dialogue between all stakeholders, and firmly believe that such a dialogue will go a long way towards advancing a balanced approach to the world drug problem.
Unfortunately, because of time constraints I have to keep my remarks short today. But I look forward to the briefing tomorrow about the results of this Hearing and the Scientific Consultation, as well as to meeting with you at the informal dialogue next week.
I wish you success in your deliberations, and thank you for your dedication and commitment.