News

The side-event organized by the Russian Federation on 12 April 2021 at the sidelines of the 64^th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (Vienna, 12-16 April 2021) with the broad support of countries from different regions as well as the European Union, the INCB and the UNODC gathered 150 participants.

In line with the main theme of the general debate of the 64th CND session the discussion focused on the international, regional and national dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the global drug situation and the international efforts to address and counter the world drug problem.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Oleg Syromolotov commended the global solidarity in responding to the COVID-19 crisis and the important CND contribution to the UN discussion on the matter.

The Chairperson of the 64th CND session Permanent Representative of Poland H.E. Dominika Krois highlighted the unanimous adoption of the special statement on this topic at the opening of the 64th session, which set the stage for the side-event.

UNODC Executive Director H.E. Ms. Ghada Waly and INCB President Mr. Cornelis de Joncheere presented important contributions of these bodies to mitigating the impact of the pandemic through enhancing data-collection and analysis as well as finding innovative solutions to strengthen the capacity of the law-enforcement and public health systems and make them better prepared for possible health emergencies.

Heads of regional organisations (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction and Inter-American Drug Abuse Commission) shared information on the challenges, good practices and lessons learnt by their respective regions during the pandemic. Such issues as increased sale of illicit drugs via the Darknet, shortages of licit supply of drug medications to patients as well as changing drug production, trafficking and misuse patterns were raised.