High-level side event on "United Nations and Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the fight against drugs: common threats and joint actions" held on 13 March 2017 in Vienna within the 60
th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).
During the event participants discussed cooperation issues including joint efforts to address the world drug problem, with focus on concrete measures aimed at subsequently eliminating global drug production including eradicating illicit narcotic plants and the processing facilities for them, establishing an effective legal response to the emergence of new synthetic drugs and other psychoactive substances, and strengthening cooperation in the area of rehabilitation from drug addiction and effective drug demand reduction.
In his opening remarks the UNODC Executive Director Mr. Fedotov said: "The strong partnership between UNODC and the SCO is rooted in our MoU, signed in 2011. Based on the MoU, we are working together across a range of areas related to global health, safety and security, in particular drug trafficking, drug use, human trafficking and other forms of organized crime, and terrorism.
UNODC is contributing to the objectives of the SCO through its "One UNODC Concerted Approach for Europe, West and Central Asia", which provides support to countries in Europe, West and Central Asia to advance interconnected, integrated and balanced responses. This support includes activities under the UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries as well as the Programme for Central Asia, among others".
Presenting new documentary film on anti-drug cooperation among SCO Member- States and results achieved, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Secretary- General Mr. Alimov mentioned that cooperation among the SCO Member-States allowed to successfully cooperate and coordinate their efforts in countering drug trafficking including joint operations. Thus, in the period of 2011 - the first half of 2016 the SCO Member-States' law enforcement agencies seized 69 tonnes of heroin, 17,5 tonnes of raw opium, 349 tonnes of marijuana and 28 tonnes of hashish.
Heads of delegations of the SCO Member States made presentations on drug situation, national responses and cooperation among SCO countries.
SCO Secretary General summarizing discussion said that drug trafficking has no borders. In that context, we are ready to engage in combating the drug threat both bilaterally and multilaterally and to contribute toward the consolidation of efforts by the international community".
