Vienna (Austria), 27 March 2024 – Multi-stakeholder partnerships, including with civil society, are crucial for the effective implementation of international drug policy commitments. More than 600 NGO representatives from 146 organisations attended the 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) and its high-level segment (14-22 March 2024) both in-person and online, showcasing their contribution in tackling the World Drug Problem. NGOs organized and co-organized more than a hundred of the 160 side events, providing recommendations and best practice examples to the work of the Commission. The high-level session on 14-15 March concluded the mid-term review of the implementation of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, to which NGOs shared their contributions in the round-table discussions, the plenary and in the form of a Global Civil Society Report. Building on the 2019 Ministerial Declaration and previous international policy commitments, the high-level declaration of the 2024 mid-term review underscores the important role played by all relevant stakeholders, including civil society, and commits to involve civil society, as appropriate, in future thematic discussions of the CND.
In their remarks to the high-level segments, the President of the General Assembly, H.E Dennis Francis, and the Executive Director of UNODC, Ms. Ghada Waly, stressed the importance of working with civil society. “Both engagement with civil society, youth, and affected communities – and recognition of the linkages of the drug problem with other cycles of harm, such as poverty, abuse, and systemic disenfranchisement – are critical to crafting effective responses,” noted Mr. Francis. Echoing his remarks, Ms. Waly said that “working across sectors, hand in hand with civil society, we can reach those at risk of being left behind.”
In addition to organizing and co-organizing a high number of side events, the participation of civil society at the 67th session included informal dialogues with UNODC Executive Director, the Chair of the 67th session of the CND, the President of INCB, and representatives of WHO, OHCHR, UNAIDS, and UNDP. All of them highlighted the importance of working with civil society in addressing the world drug problem. In his remarks during the Informal dialogue with NGOs, the Chair of the 67th session of the CND, Ambassador Philbert Abaka Johnson told participants that “you play an essential role because you reach communities where Member States cannot.”
UNODC Civil Society Unit (CSU) co-organized several side events, including the event led by the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC) titled ‘Global Civil Society Inputs for the 2024 Midterm Review and Beyond’. In her opening remarks, Ms.Barbara Zvokelj, Ambassador of Slovenia to the UN Vienna emphasized the significance of civil society inputs in the mid-term review process, highlighting their role in amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, youth, and vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by drug-related issues. She underscored that by incorporating grassroots experiences and expertise, policymakers gained insights into the socio-economic factors influencing drug use patterns, thus fostering more inclusive and holistic approaches and allowing for more effective drug use prevention.
Furthermore, Mr. Jean-Luc Lemahieu, Director of UNODC DPA emphasized the critical need to prioritize prevention in discussions about the future direction of international drug policy. He directed participants to the new UNODC initiative, CHAMPS (Children Amplified Prevention Services) and encouraged everyone to explore it further.
Representatives of VNGOC presented the Global Civil Society Report which summarizes over 200 NGOs’ input to the 2024 mid-term review. The report, serving as an official civil society contribution to the mid-term review, and reflects a diverse array of expertise and perspectives on drug-related issues. It underscores the crucial role of meaningful civil society engagement in formulating and implementing drug policies at all levels, while also addressing the challenges and opportunities encountered in this context. Representatives of regional civil society groups explored recommendations aimed at accelerating the implementation of international drug policy commitments leading up to 2029.
The side event titled ‘Cooperation for effective drug policies: the role of regional civil society mechanisms in realizing joint commitments’, organized by the Africa Union, the African Civil Society Forum on Drugs, the EU Civil Society Forum on Drugs, the Slum Child Foundation showcased regional mechanisms such as the African and European Civil Society Fora on Drugs.
Moderating the event, Dr. Abel Basutu of the African Union Commission expressed his profound hope and determination that “our collective efforts will pave the way for a multi-sectoral, evidence-based, balanced, and integrated approach to drug control.” He emphasized the urgent need for Member States to enhance collaboration and leverage the expertise and outreach of civil society. Dr. Basutu underscored the gravity of the situation, particularly in light of the growing threat of synthetic drugs, which are increasingly potent, easily accessible to produce, transport, and market. He emphasized the African Union's high expectations for the active involvement of civil society in addressing this pressing issue. Through formal engagement mechanisms with regional intergovernmental organizations like the African or European Union, civil society can contribute valuable insights and expertise, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. These partnerships can facilitate evidence-based policymaking, ultimately leading to more effective drug policies that prioritize community welfare and save lives.
The 67th session of the CND once again showcased the pivotal role of civil society in addressing the multifaceted challenges of the World Drug Problem and benefitted from vital NGOs’ contributions to the 2024 mid-term review of drug policies.
