Director General/Executive Director
Mr. President,
Esteemed Members of the Security Council,
This time of transition has had a clear impact on drug control efforts in Afghanistan. There remain formidable challenges posed by illicit drugs facing the new leadership and the international community.
Nevertheless, the transition also presents an opportunity to assess counter-narcotics strategies, and to ensure that our responses are strong and effective.
Since I reported to you in June, UNODC released last month the 2014 Afghan opium survey.
The survey unfortunately confirms the negative trends presented in my earlier report, namely the continued increase in opium cultivation and production.
The total estimated area under cultivation rose to 224,000 hectares in 2014, which represents an increase of seven per cent over the record levels of 2013.
Eradication decreased from 7,348 hectares in 2013 to 2,692 hectares in 2014.
As a result, production has climbed as much as 17 per cent to 6,400 tons. Average opium yield rose nine per cent.
All in all, the illicit opium economy and related criminality, money laundering and corruption continue to threaten security, social and economic development, governance and health in Afghanistan, the region and beyond.
This has been repeatedly recognized by the Security Council, including in the June Presidential Statement.
The question before us remains: what can we do to stop illicit drugs from undermining fragile progress and imperilling the future of Afghanistan, and causing global harm?
First and foremost, the lessons of the past decade strongly suggest that counter-narcotics must be fully integrated in development and security strategies, and delivered as part of unified assistance.
We must do more to ensure that action to weaken the stranglehold of drugs and crime goes hand in hand with efforts to strengthen the licit economy.
The importance of integrating counter narcotics responses was reaffirmed in Security Council Resolution 2145.
It is further reflected in the continuing discussions on the post-2015 development agenda, as well as in the preparations for the 2016 UN General Assembly special session on the world drug problem.
Our responses must be long term and adequately resourced, and they cannot be allowed to fall victim to silo mentalities, to piecemeal approaches that cannot produce sustainable results.
I was in Kabul in November to meet President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah.
In our meetings, three priorities for comprehensive drug control were identified, which can guide us as we move forward:
1) enabling alternative development as part of a broader and more comprehensive effort to modernize the agricultural sector;
2) improving prevention, treatment, care and rehabilitation services; and
3) countering organized crime and drug trafficking through enhanced regional and inter-regional cooperation.
Let me begin with the first point. Farmers need viable, licit livelihoods as an alternative to opium cultivation.
As experienced in other countries facing drug cultivation and production challenges, eradication can be successful if supported by meaningful alternative development programmes.
Reducing the vulnerability of farmers and communities must address access to irrigation and local markets, as well as access to education and health care.
UNODC's 2015 World Drug Report will feature a special chapter analysing the available evidence on implementation of alternative development programmes, which can also help to inform efforts.
Afghan opium accounts for 80 per cent of global production. The devastating impact on health and communities that these illicit drugs have had in many countries is well known.
But Afghanistan also pays a terrible price. Alongside the increase in cultivation there has been a sharp increase in local use.
The prevalence of opiate use in Afghanistan is among the highest in the world.
It is increasingly recognized that a balanced approach to the world drug problem must address demand reduction, with prevention and treatment services, including for HIV, based on scientific evidence and respect for human rights.
Supporting and expanding such services must also be a priority in drug control efforts in Afghanistan.
UNODC is developing and piloting new programmes for drug prevention and treatment services for children exposed to drugs at a young age.
Shared responsibility is the guiding principle of the international community's support and involvement in Afghanistan.
The importance of regional cooperation has been reaffirmed by the Security Council.
Nevertheless, we must do more to ensure that shared responsibility is operationalized to the extent possible to confront drug trafficking networks.
We must reinforce cooperative action against corruption and money laundering, strengthen governance and promote effective criminal justice responses to stop impunity.
UNODC is also supporting Afghanistan's efforts to engage with its neighbours and the wider region.
Through a three-tier, national-regional-global approach, UNODC is helping to weave together cross-border law enforcement, cooperation in criminal matters and drug prevention responses, based on sound research of opiate trade trends.
This inter-regional approach connects West and Central Asia, Southeast Europe, the Gulf region and Eastern Africa - all regions affected by illicit trafficking of opiates and precursor chemicals from and into Afghanistan.
We support cooperation platforms including CARICC, the Triangular Initiative and the Joint Planning Cell, the Gulf Cooperation Council - Criminal Information Centre and others.
UNODC's "networking the networks" initiative has facilitated a number of joint intelligence-led drug control operations that are currently underway.
We are also working with several countries through the Maritime Crime Programme to address the growing problem of heroin trafficking on the high seas of the Indian Ocean.
The Container Control Programme, which has been extremely effective in countering all forms of illicit trafficking, is now expanding beyond sea ports and dry ports to develop airport capacities, starting with Pakistan's Karachi airport.
Mr. President, Members of the Security Council,
The importance of enhanced coordination also applies to UN system efforts. The UN Development Assistance Framework for Afghanistan for 2015-2019 provides a solid platform for a joint UN response integrating counter narcotics.
Coordinated action also helps to ensure efficient use of available financial resources and international aid.
President Ghani, at the recent London Conference, affirmed Afghanistan's readiness to overcome the past and "face the future with full unity and with confidence".
We must support Afghanistan in this momentous task, and begin this decade of transformation with courage and determination.
Thank you.