Vienna, 17 March 2023 — The sixty-sixth session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) concluded today, after five days of discussions focused on the implementation of international drug control treaties and drug policy commitments.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Ruiz Blanco of Colombia, Chair of the CND at its 66th session, thanked all delegations for reaching consensus on issues crucial to the Commission’s agenda and highlighted the opportunity to work together to find comprehensive solutions to the challenges and constraints in addressing the world drug problem.
John Brandolino, speaking on behalf of Ms. Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), called on member states to “dedicate the necessary resources to addressing drug challenges and to providing evidence-based treatment and care to those who are affected, marginalized, and at risk of being left behind.”
The work of the Commission at its sixty-sixth session
During the week, Member States exchanged views on, inter alia, a) the implementation of the international drug control treaties and drug policy commitments; b) the inter-agency cooperation and coordination of efforts in addressing and countering the world drug problem; c) the recommendations of the subsidiary bodies of the Commission, and d) the Commission’s contributions to the review and implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Commission decided to place one synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist, four novel synthetic opioids, and two cathinones/stimulants under international control. During the sixty-sixth session of the CND, four resolutions were also adopted, covering topics including: preparations for the mid-term review to be held during the sixty-seventh session of the CND in 2024; promoting alternative development as a development-oriented drug control strategy; safe handling and disposal of synthetic drugs; and strengthening information-sharing to increase scientific evidence-based support to international scheduling.
2024 Mid-term review
In accordance with the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, in 2024 the Commission will conduct a mid-term review of progress made in the implementation of all international drug policy commitments, with a final review planned for 2029. The Chair’s resolution on the modalities of the 2024 mid-term review was adopted during the 66th session of the CND and foresees a high-level segment consisting of a general debate and two multi-stakeholder round-table discussions on the topics “Taking stock: work undertaken since 2019” and “The way forward: the road to 2029”, to be held during CND’s sixty-seventh session in Vienna in 2024.
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The CND is the policymaking body of the United Nations with prime responsibility for drug control and other drug-related matters. The Commission is the forum for Member States to exchange knowledge and good practices in addressing and countering the world drug problem.
The Commission’s sixty-sixth session brought together over 2400 participants representing 139 Member States, 21 intergovernmental organizations, 132 non-governmental organizations and several UN entities, in-person in Vienna and online around the world.
