Membership and Bureau

Useful Resources

Current membership (2023)

Member States of the CND

The Economic and Social Council, in its resolution 1991/49, enlarged the membership of the Commission from 40 to 53 members, with the following distribution of seats among the regional groups:

(a) Eleven for African States;

(b) Eleven for Asian States;

(d) Six for Eastern European States;

(e) Fourteen for Western European and other States;

(f) One seat to rotate between the Asian, and the Latin American and Caribbean States every four years.

In accordance with Council resolution 845 (XXXII), and 1147 (XLI), members are elected (a) from among the States Members of the United Nations and members of the specialized agencies and the Parties to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, (b) with due regard to the adequate representation of countries that are important producers of opium or coca leaves, of countries that are important in the field of the manufacture of narcotic drugs, and of countries in which drug addiction or the illicit traffic in narcotic drugs constitutes an important problem and (c) taking into account the principle of equitable geographical distribution.

CND Bureau and Extended Bureau

In order to function effectively, the Commission needs to organize and prepare its work carefully and in advance. Such tasks are carried out by the Bureau and the Extended Bureau of the Commission, which play an active role in the preparation of the regular and the inter-sessional meetings with the assistance of the Secretariat.

The Bureau of the Commission is composed of the Chairperson, three Vice-Chairpersons and one Rapporteur. At the end of its reconvened session, the Commission elects its Bureau for the next session. The Extended Bureau also includes the Chairpersons of the five regional groups, the European Union and the Group of 77 and China.

Bureau of the CND at its 66th session

Chair

H.E. Miguel Camilo RUIZ BLANCO of Colombia (Group of Latin American and Caribbean States)

1st Vice-Chair

H.E. Philbert Abaka JOHNSON of Ghana (Group of African States)

2nd Vice-Chair

Ms. Illa MAINALI of Nepal (Group of Asia-Pacific States)

3rd Vice-Chair

H.E. Barbara ZVOKELJ of Slovenia (Group of Eastern European States)

Rapporteur

Mr. Paul WILLIAMS of Canada (Group of Western European and Other States)

Chair of the 66th session of the CND

During his career, H.E. Miguel Camilo Ruiz BLANCO has served in various capacities, among them:

Director for Multilateral Political Affairs (2017-2018);
Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (2017);
Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations (2011-2017);
Acting Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (2010-2011);
Director of America, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2009-2011);
Secretary Pro Tempore of the Association of Caribbean States (2009);
Ambassador to Honduras (2005-2009);
Director for Multilateral Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2002-2005);
Disarmament Coordinator of the Direction for Multilateral Political Affairs (2002);
Minister Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations and other International Organizations, Geneva (2000-2002);
Counsellor, Permanent Mission, Geneva (1997-2000);
Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (1994-1997);
Consul in Cuenca, Ecuador (1991-1994);
Advisor to the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1990-1991);
Second Secretary, Direction of Protocol (1989-1990);
Second Secretary, Human Resources Division (1988-1989).

H.E. Miguel Camilo Ruiz BLANCO graduated from the Academy of Public Administration, ESAP, and is a Specialist in Public Finances.

United Nations

Office on Drugs and Crime