Accreditation opens for High-Level Review of the World Drug Problem at the 57th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs
Vienna, 3 February 2014 - Member States will hold a High-Level Review of the Political Declaration and Plan of Action on the world drug problem in Vienna on 13-14 March.
Heroin, cocaine and other drugs pose a serious threat to public health and kill some 200,000 people annually. Illicit drugs and drug trafficking also fuel armed violence, conflict and terrorism, while eroding the rule of law and human rights as well as economic and social development. The proceeds from illicit drugs are worth an estimated US$320 billion every year.
Acknowledging these challenges, in March 2009, at the high-level segment of the 52nd Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), Member States adopted a Political Declaration confirming the three international drug control conventions as the cornerstone of the international drug control system, and a Plan of Action aimed at reducing or eliminating the impact of illicit drugs. The High-Level Review will focus on implementation of the Plan of Action to date.
The event will bring together more than 1,500 people from Member States, parliaments, inter-governmental organizations, civil society, the private sector and the media.
Media representatives are invited to cover the opening session on 13 March and the event, and those who are not already accredited to the VIC should email press@unvienna.org for accreditation. Further information on the press conference and other media opportunities, information on the agenda, and details of the official website, will be provided to media closer to the date of the High-Level Review.
A special web page for the event can be found at: www.unodc.org/hlr
Journalists attending the High-Level Review are also invited to cover the 57th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, which runs from 17 to 21 March.
For further information, please contact:
Reka
Furtos
Public Information Officer, UNIS Vienna
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-83019
Mobile: (+43) 699-1458-3019
Email: reka.furtos[at]unvienna.org
Or
David Dadge
Spokesperson, UNODC
Telephone: (+43- 1) 26060-5629
Mobile: (+43) 699-1459-5629
Email: david.dadge[at]unvienna.org
