Director General/Executive Director
Excellencies,
Distinguished participants,
I am very pleased to open this high-level briefing on the drug situation in the Mekong region, and the Mekong MOU on Drug Control.
It is an honour to have with us our close partner the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Prajin Juntong, and ministers and officials of the other five Mekong countries, namely Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam.
UNODC is a signatory of the Mekong MOU and is proud to serve as secretariat.
Our Office is also supporting the MOU through regional and country programmes and projects in the areas of law enforcement, drugs and health, justice and alternative development.
We are witnessing a major change in the illicit drug market in the Mekong region, from opiates to synthetic drugs - a shift which is impacting all the Mekong MOU countries and the wider Asia and Pacific area.
The change is fuelled by a steep surge in the production and trafficking of methamphetamine in the Golden Triangle, engineered by major transnational organized crime groups.
A record amount of methamphetamine was seized in the region last year. Major seizures have been made across the region this year, including just last week. We have seen significant price drops at the street level. These flows show no sign of slowing down.
The situation unfortunately confirms that the organized crime groups responsible are exploiting differences in law enforcement and justice authorities' capacities to respond.
They are further taking advantage of the large chemical and pharmaceutical industries in the region that are the source for the precursors necessary for the manufacture of synthetic drugs.
People, especially young people, are being exploited by these ruthless trafficking networks who seek to develop the market and increase levels of drug use in the region.
Drug treatment systems and programmes which were already stretched are now overwhelmed.
The situation is clearly difficult but there are signs of progress.
The countries of the Mekong MOU are making significant efforts that must be acknowledged.
Last year, in May, the Mekong MOU countries agreed a new regional action plan that prioritizes key activities the countries will undertake with UNODC.
Importantly and quite uniquely, the plan is designed in line with, and essentially mirrors, the UN General Assembly Special Session outcome recommendations.
The region has embraced the UNGASS, making use of its flexibility, and the countries should be commended and supported so their plan progresses and ultimately succeeds.
A few highlights of the work the countries are doing together with UNODC include:
Looking ahead, we are in a crucial phase for the Mekong MOU.
Thailand, under the leadership of the Deputy Prime Minister, will host a Ministerial Meeting of the Mekong MOU this June, which will take stock and advance progress on their shared plan, as well as agree a new regional political and policy statement.
The coming Ministerial Meeting is a crucial opportunity given the gravity of the situation, and it is impressive that the region leaders are taking decisive action.
UNODC remains committed to supporting these efforts, and I encourage all our partners to join us in strengthening the Mekong MOU.
Thank you.