UNODC HIV/AIDS Section at the 67th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs

11^th- 22^nd March 2024 – Vienna – the 67^th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs took place in Vienna. Several events were held throughout the period of two weeks including high-level segments. All events were organized by diverse stakeholders in person and in hybrid format.

The UNODC HIV/AIDS Section actively participated in many of these events, including an event in the high-level segment, study visits, and side events, whether as an organizer, co-sponsor or invited as a speaker.

4th Pre-CND Consultative Meeting on HIV and Hepatitis Prevention, Treatment and Care with and for People Who Use Drugs

11^th- 12^th March 2024 – Organized jointly by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), International AIDS Society (IAS), International Network of People who use Drugs (INPUD), World Health Organization (WHO), and UNAIDS, the Pre-CND Consultative Meeting continued the established dialogue between the academia and the community of people who use drugs (PWUD). Every year the consultation provides a platform for the exchange of information and pooling of knowledge, with the ultimate aim of refocusing the global approach to drug use to one with health and human rights at the centre. The 4th edition of the pre-CND consultation examined three important aspects: the coverage of harm reduction services and how do we collect relevant data; the community service delivery among specific groups (women-centred service delivery, indigenous populations, young people); and the role of people-centered, human rights-based policies in the HIV response among people who use drugs. A statement gathering the main outcomes of the consultation was delivered in the opening of the 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs.

End Inequalities End AIDS - On the Fast-Track: scaling up evidence-based services to address transmission of HIV, and viral hepatitis among people who use drugs

15^thMarch 2024 – A high-level event titled "End Inequalities End AIDS: On the fast-track scaling up evidence-based services to address the transmission of HIV and viral hepatitis among people who use drugs”, was organized by the Republic of Kenya and South Africa with the support of the UNODC HIV/AIDS section.

The event aimed to assess the progress made since 2019 in addressing HIV, viral hepatitis C, and other blood-borne diseases among people who use drugs. It provided an opportunity for regional and global stakeholders to collaboratively explore innovative solutions and share best practices. Opening statements were made by H.E. Mr. Rapulane Molekane, Permanent Representative of South Africa, and Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the UNODC. Key speakers emphasized human rights-based approaches and comprehensive harm reduction strategies, sharing their national approaches to the epidemic. They also stressed the importance of evidence-based approaches, collaboration with CSOs, and resource allocation to achieve collective goals in ending HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis among people who use drugs and addressing drug-related challenges. It was also highlighted that there is a key importance in addressing stigma and discrimination to reach the global commitments. H.E. Mr. Maurice Makoloo, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya closed the event by emphasizing how the positive experiences and discussions shared during the event are proof that the Global commitments to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and eliminate viral hepatitis among people who use drugs are within reach.

Study visit to Suchthilfe Wien (addiction centre supported by the City of Vienna)

19^th March 2024 – The HIV/AIDS Section organized a study visit to the Jedmayer Tageszentrum, a Day Centre under the umbrella of the Addiction Centre of Vienna. CND country delegates from Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan had the opportunity to do a guided tour of the facility. The visit included a presentation of all activities carried out by the centre, including the exchange of needle and syringes dropped in by clients and the provision of opioid agonist therapy – Methadone – under medical supervision. The centre provides a comprehensive range of counselling and support services, as well as food, showers, washing machines and shelter.

Gender-based violence experienced by women who use drugs and HIV epidemic

19^th March 2024 – This side event organized by UNODC HIV/AIDS Section aimed at raising awareness of the scope and scale of gender-based violence (GBV) experienced by women who use drugs (WWUD), and the connection between GBV and the HIV epidemic among them. It highlighted practical responses to violence that can be adopted by providers of HIV prevention services, including concrete examples from Brazil and South Africa.

The speakers reminded the audience that there is a strong increase of the number of women being incarcerated for drug use, and that WWUD are the most affected by the disproportionate use of criminal justice responses to deal with drug related offenses.

During this side event, UNODC, WHO, UN Women, UNFPA, UNAIDS and WHRIN launched the Briefing Paper “Addressing gender-based violence against women and people of diverse gender identity and expression who use drugs”.