On 13 March 2023, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and UNODC co-hosted a side event “The UN and the SCO Against Drugs: Strengthening Practical Cooperation” during the 66th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).
The event featured speakers including SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming, UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly, and UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia Ashita Mittal, along with representatives from SCO Member States, including Central Asian countries, China, India, Pakistan, and Russia.
“This event underscores our commitment to strengthening cooperation between the SCO and UNODC, building on our 2011 Memorandum of Understanding,” stated Ms. Mittal. “It offers a crucial platform to review our shared priorities and strategic directions for joint action. With the SCO representing half the world’s population, this event is particularly significant for advancing global drug control, preventing drug use among youth, and coordinating counter-narcotics efforts across the region.”
“Today’s discussion demonstrates our collective commitment to tackling the global drug threat and our willingness to strengthen cooperation and consolidate efforts,” stated Mr. Ming. “We remain dedicated to combating drug trafficking based on the norms and principles of international law.”
“Strengthening of partnerships is a cornerstone of the UNODC’s strategy. The SCO is a key regional partner for us. I hope that today’s event provided an important opportunity to assess the responses to the global drug problem and discuss strategic priorities for further cooperation. We are committed to continuing this important work and look forward to partnering with the SCO Member States,” noted Ms. Waly in her concluding remarks.
Representatives from SCO Member States highlighted the growing threat of drug trafficking in Central Asia and Southeast Asia, calling for intensified and coordinated counter-narcotics efforts to address this challenge effectively.
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For further information, please contact:
Nurangez Abdulhamidova
Communication and External Relations Officer
UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia
Email: nurangez.abdulhamidova[at]un.org