availability_and_access

SCALING UP THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL DRUG POLICY COMMITMENTS ON IMPROVING AVAILABILITY OF AND ACCESS TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES FOR MEDICAL AND SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES – AN EXCHANGE OF PERSPECTIVES AND GOOD PRACTICES IN IMPROVING AVAILABILITY AND ACCESS #NOPATIENTLEFTBEHIND

On 6 September 2022, 12 noon Geneva/Vienna time (CEST), the Chair of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) at its 65^th session, H.E. Ambassador Ghislain D'Hoop, held an event at the Palais des Nations in Geneva to raise awareness for the international drug policy commitments on improving availability and access to controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes. This subject relates to universal access to essential medicines – a concern shared by both Vienna and Geneva-based organizations, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).

The event was co-sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Belgium to the United Nations (Geneva), the Permanent Mission of Singapore to the United Nations (Geneva) in its capacity as the Chair of the Forum on Small States (FOSS) and the UNODC Geneva Office. The event promoted an exchange of perspectives and good practices in improving availability and access to controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes, and the work of United Nations entities to support Member States and the CND to live up to the policy commitments and ensure no patient is left behind. There was participation from an array of Member States and United Nations entities. The live broadcast on @CND_tweets was watched by over 3.000 people around the world. #NoPatientLeftBehind

PROGRAMME

Tuesday, 6 September 2022, 12 noon Geneva/Vienna time (CET), Room XXV, Palais des Nations

Opening and moderation by

H.E. Ambassador Ghislain D'Hoop

Chair of the 65^th CND

Welcoming remarks by

H.E. Ambassador Umej Bhatia

Permanent Representative of Singapore

to the United Nations (Geneva and Vienna) &

Chair of FOSS (Geneva and Vienna)

Remarks by

Ms. Ghada Waly

Executive Director of UNODC

Remarks by

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Director General of WHO

Remarks by

Ms. Jagjit Pavadia

President of INCB

Remarks by

Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng

United Nations Special Rapporteur

on the Right to Health

Remarks by

H.E. Ambassador Paul Empole Efambe

Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic

of the Congo to the United Nations (Geneva)

WEBCAST

Watch the recording of the event on Twitter.

WEBSTORY

Read the webstory here.

DOCUMENTS

Read the opening and closing remarks by the Chair of the 65^th CND here.

Read the welcoming remarks by the Permanent Representative of Singapore to the United Nations (Geneva and Vienna) & Chair of FOSS (Geneva and Vienna) here.

Read the remarks by the Executive Director of UNODC here.

Read the remarks by the President of INCB here.

Read the remarks by the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health here.

Read the remarks by the Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the United Nations (Geneva) here.

Read the intervention by the Executive President of Comisión Nacional para el Desarrollo y Vida sin Drogas (DEVIDA), Peru here.