Viena, 14 March 2024, The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the UN’s main policy-making body on drugs, opens today in Vienna to review progress made in addressing the world drug problem and how to accelerate implementation of international commitments. 

This year’s session of the Commission begins with a special segment attended by a number of high-level officials and heads of UN bodies, as the CND marks the mid-point to achieving the commitments set out in the Ministerial Declaration adopted by the Commission in 2019.  

The 67th session of the CND convenes amidst the emergence of highly agile drug trafficking networks, a record-high supply of certain drugs, and a significant treatment gap, wherein only one in five individuals with a drug use disorder receives adequate care.

“Drug challenges are evolving swiftly, as synthetics change the market, trafficking networks evolve their business model, and illicit markets overlap with conflict and instability,” said Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). “The global response is at an important juncture, and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs must use this milestone session to unite around balanced responses that safeguard our communities, promote public health, and uphold human rights.”

For the first time, Member States will be making new pledges on the challenges identified in the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, which will aim to turn the policy commitments into action on the ground. Launched by the Chair of the CND, Ambassador Philbert Johnson of Ghana, the Pledge4Action allows Member States to publicly declare their readiness to invest efforts, expertise, and resources into implementing their global drug policy commitments.

“Amidst the complexities of the global landscape, failure to unite in our efforts is not an option,” said Ambassador Johnson. “This mid-term review underscores the necessity of collaborative diplomacy to accelerate our actions to address the world drug problem. Together, through steadfast diplomacy and unified action, we will advance.”

Resolutions under consideration by the Commission address topics related to rehabilitation and recovery management programs; improving the access and availability of controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes; preventing and responding to drug overdoses; and alternative development.

The 67th session will run until 22 March.