Partners meet to discuss action plan against illicit drugs in Afghanistan
14 December 2015 - A new Afghan National Action Plan to counter the threat of illicit drugs was presented today at a high-level meeting in Vienna. The new strategy balances confronting drug trafficking with plans for reducing drug demand and encouraging sustainable development in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.
At the meeting, UNODC Executive Director, Yury Fedotov, described the plan as a "blueprint for all partners" involved in the struggle against drug trafficking and transnational organized crime in the country. He acknowledged that the situation in Afghanistan remained challenging, but said there had been visible signs of progress which needed to be strengthened. "Among the positives are the increased effectiveness of the counter-narcotics institutions and the intensified efforts we have seen on the part of the Government of Afghanistan as well as the international community," Mr. Fedotov said.
The High-Level Meeting of Partners for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries was jointly chaired by Salamat Azimi, Minister of Counter Narcotics, and Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Afghanistan and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. Also present were representatives from Permanent Missions, as well as Ministry of Foreign Affairs' representatives, Special Envoys, and the heads of development agencies.
Participants discussed suitable strategies to counter narcotics and transnational organized crime for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries, andwork aimed at building regional cooperation, combat transnational organized crime and support the 2030 Development Agenda in West and Central Asia.
In this context, UNODC has taken a comprehensive approach in supporting South Eastern Europe, West and Central Asia with targeted projects at three inter-connected levels: country, regional and inter-regional, related to illicit drug production and trafficking. It supports Member States through different programmes, including Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries, plus a newly signed Country Partnership Programme with Iran (2015-2019).
Further information:
UNODC Executive Director Statement at the High-Level meeting