The Economic and Social Council, in its resolution 1991/49, enlarged the membership of the Commission from 40 to 53 members, with the following distribution of seats among the regional groups:
(a) Eleven for African States;
(b) Eleven for Asian States;
(c) Ten for Latin American and Caribbean States;
(d) Six for Eastern European States;
(e) Fourteen for Western European and other States;
(f) One seat to rotate between the Asian, and the Latin American and Caribbean States every four years.
In accordance with Council resolution 845 (XXXII), and 1147 (XLI), members are elected (a) from among the States Members of the United Nations and members of the specialized agencies and the Parties to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, (b) with due regard to the adequate representation of countries that are important producers of opium or coca leaves, of countries that are important in the field of the manufacture of narcotic drugs, and of countries in which drug addiction or the illicit traffic in narcotic drugs constitutes an important problem and (c) taking into account the principle of equitable geographical distribution.
In order to function effectively, the Commission needs to organize and prepare its work carefully and in advance. Such tasks are carried out by the Bureau and the Extended Bureau of the Commission, which play an active role in the preparation of the regular and the inter-sessional meetings with the assistance of the Secretariat.
The Bureau of the Commission is composed of the Chairperson, three Vice-Chairpersons and one Rapporteur. At the end of its reconvened session, the Commission elects its Bureau for the next session. The Extended Bureau also includes the Chairpersons of the five regional groups, the European Union and the Group of 77 and China.
H.E. Asad Alam SIAM of Bangladesh (Group of Asia-Pacific States)
H.E. Barbara ZVOKELJ of Slovenia (Group of Eastern European States)
H.E. Natasha MELI DAUDEY of Malta (Group of Western European and other States)
Mr. Fabio Esteban PEDRAZA TORRES of Colombia (Group of Latin American and Caribbean States)
H.E. Philbert Isaac Kobina Abaka Johnson is a career diplomat with three decades of experience in the field. Prior to his current appointment, he served in various capacities in Ghana Missions in Ottawa, New York, Brussels, Moscow and Berne. He also served as Head of various divisions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration including Africa and Regional Integration Bureau and Europe Bureau. He was the first Director of Diaspora Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration. From 1995 to 1996, he was the Special Assistant to the Special Representative of the Chairman of ECOWAS in Liberia.
Ambassador Johnson holds Masters’ Degrees in International Affairs from the University of Ghana and in International Trade Law and Economics from the World Trade Institute in Berne, Switzerland. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and a Diploma in Education from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
He has participated in several courses in diplomacy, leadership and mediation. He has also been a member of Ghana’s delegation to several international meetings and conferences.
Ambassador Johnson is interested in issues that require analytical and progressive thinking on sustainable development, Diaspora Engagement, International Trade Law and Economics as well as Conflict Resolution.
