The event was chaired and moderated by Ambassador Ghislain D’Hoop of Belgium, Chair of the
CND at its
65th session, and featured welcoming remarks by Ambassador Philippe Kridelka, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations (New York), and Mr. Hans-Joachim Almoslechner, Deputy Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations (New York). Remarks were delivered by Ms. Jagjit Pavadia, President of the
International Narcotics Control Board, Ms. Vivian Okeke, Representative of the Director General of the
International Atomic Energy Agency to the United Nations, Mr. Werner Obermeyer, Director of the
World Health Organization Office at the United Nations, Mr. Ninan Varughese, Senior Adviser of the
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS New York Office, and Mr. Benjamin Phillips, Treasurer of the
New York NGO Committee on Drugs. Ms. Jo Dedeyne-Amann, Chief of the
Secretariat to the CND, delivered remarks on behalf of
UNODC, introducing the video message from Ms. Giovanna Campello, Chief of the
Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section of UNODC. The event was a hallmark of collaboration across the United Nations system on cross-cutting issues.
The panellists outlined how the persistence of the
COVID-19 pandemic had created a complex landscape for ensuring access to controlled medicines. It was highlighted that 2021 saw unprecedented trade restrictions, shortages of medicines, surges in infections and new variants of COVID-19, all of which had compounded problems in maintaining a steady supply of controlled medicines. The international community was reminded that while the global COVID-19 situation appeared to be improving, there were still parts of the world afflicted by the pandemic and vulnerable groups of people all around the world, including patients who require access to controlled medicines, who continued to be disadvantaged by the adverse effects of the pandemic. With eight years left to achieve the
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the panellists collectively called for an urgent unified global effort to improve
availability and access to controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes. Wrapping up the event, Ambassador D’Hoop concluded, “Unless this issue is prioritized, and all stakeholders are committed to enhancing cooperation and finding joint solutions, patients will continue to suffer and be left behind.”
The
CND is the policymaking body of the United Nations with principal responsibility for drug-related matters, and a governing body of UNODC. The Commission is the forum for Member States to exchange knowledge and good practices in addressing and countering all aspects of the world drug problem, including
availability and access to controlled medicines.