Director-General/Executive Director
Mr. President,
Distinguished members of the Board,
It is an honour to address the International Narcotics Control Board at its 141st Session, which I hope has been productive and insightful.
I’m always pleased to join you to discuss the latest developments in the global drug landscape, and to reaffirm the partnership between our two entities in addressing emerging drug challenges.
Earlier this year, we held a high-level session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, during which Member States reaffirmed the importance of the international drug control conventions.
This milestone session brought together a record-breaking 2,500 participants, including representatives from civil society, the private sector, and the scientific community.
And I am grateful to you, Mr. President, for your active engagement during that session last March.
In just a few weeks, the CND will also hold its thematic discussions on issues related to synthetic opioids, illicit trafficking, and drug scheduling.
This will be another important opportunity for the INCB to support us in promoting balanced and effective implementation of the conventions.
Because we need to work together more than ever to address the expanding world drug problem.
The synthetic drug market is growing deadlier and more complex.
Plant-based drugs such as cocaine are reaching new levels and fueling violence along supply chain routes.
Drug trafficking is converging with other forms of organized crime, including human trafficking, the illicit firearms trade, and terrorism.
These activities are increasingly facilitated by corruption, money laundering, and new technologies, while contributing to environmental degradation and human suffering.
And new crises and conflicts – from Ukraine to Gaza, Lebanon, Haiti, Sudan, and beyond – are opening doors for organized crime to thrive, while hindering our ability to provide much-needed access to controlled medicines.
These are global challenges which require global solutions.
But Member States are finding it increasingly difficult to agree on common approaches.
We saw this at the CND earlier this year when a resolution was put to a vote for the very first time.
We are seeing rising divisions and politicization on a topic that would traditionally unite countries around shared goals.
This year, we have also seen a record number of elections, with the resulting shifts in government priorities making it even more difficult to plan for the long-term.
Meanwhile, current crises that are dominating the headlines are diverting Member States’ resources and attention away from drug-related issues, with increased spending on defense and humanitarian assistance.
Here at the UN, we have not been immune from the effects of these developments in addition to the liquidity crisis that has heavily impacted our operations and resources over the past year.
And although we secured additional funding from the Controller for this session, unfortunately the overall financial outlook continues to remain uncertain for 2025.
So, you will need to carefully monitor and evaluate your resources in the coming months and year ahead and find creative ways of doing more with less.
This is why it’s essential that we continue to pool our resources, to leverage our collective strengths, and to harness the complementarity of our mandates.
The INCB plays a crucial role in helping to monitor the implementation of the international drug control conventions.
You identify gaps in responses and provide important early warning advice to Member States on new substances.
And you detect, analyze, and share information on the latest drug trafficking trends and patterns.
The INCB annual report in particular provides valuable data that complements the findings of UNODC’s World Drug Report, ensuring a comprehensive global picture.
And I wish to congratulate the INCB on celebrating yesterday the 10-year anniversary of its IONICS Project, which has helped exchange information on 100,000 synthetic drug trafficking incidents.
UNODC remains committed to working with the INCB to support Member States in implementing the drug control conventions and addressing existing and emerging drug challenges.
We are helping countries identify new, lethal drug combinations.
In 2024, UNODC’s Early Warning System identified 138 new synthetic opioids linked to overdose deaths, while more than 1,200 psychoactive substances have been detected over the past decade.
Our Synthetic Drugs Strategy and its accompanying Toolkit provide additional resources across 15 thematic areas to support coordinated global action.
And I am grateful for the INCB’s support in helping us develop and update relevant components of the Toolkit.
UNODC is also supporting multilateral cooperation with international partners, including through partnerships such as the US-led Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats and other groupings such as the G7.
Our Office led the negotiations on a new cybercrime treaty, which is expected to be adopted by the General Assembly later this year, and which will provide an important tool to help Member States tackle drug trafficking in cyberspace.
And we are coordinating the UN’s system-wide response through the common position on drugs and by leading the development of a new common approach on organized crime.
Because to truly address the growing complexity of today’s drugs challenges, we need to rally together and speak with one voice.
To close the global divide when it comes to access to controlled medicines, especially in humanitarian settings.
To break down barriers to treatment for women with drug use disorders, who continue to lack adequate access and face stigma and discrimination.
And to protect future generations from the harms of drug use.
Youth are particularly susceptible to misinformation related to drug use and to being drawn into organized crime, making it essential that we raise their awareness of the associated risks and harms.
That is why, during the CND, I was proud to launch our new CHAMPS initiative, aimed at building young people’s resilience to drug use, which was also just launched in Egypt, and which we hope to expand soon to Brazil and Nigeria.
And through the CND Youth Forum, we supported 11 youth-centered projects on prevention that reached over 35,000 youth across 10 countries last year.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we approach the reconvened session of the CND in December, let’s build on the momentum of this year’s midterm review and the upcoming thematic discussions to reaffirm the value of the international drug control conventions.
UNODC is keen to expand our cooperation with the Board and all our partners to support evidence-based responses to address the world drug problem.
Together, we can pave the way toward safer and healthier societies for all.
Thank you.
