Among other issues, CND60 dealt with the implementation of the UNGASS recommendations, how to contribute to the Agenda 2030 and how to move towards a new global drug policy
The sixtieth session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) took place at the United Nations Agency in Vienna from 13 to 17 March 2017.
As we would expect, CND60’s main reference point and the driver of the debate was the approval in April 2016 of the UNGASS resolution. The key now is how to implement the more than one hundred recommendations made in the document.
The CND is already actively working on another event; the revision of the “Political Declaration and Plan of action” that was adopted in 2009. A review of achievements is planned for 2019, as well as working to draft a new political declaration for the future, which will undoubtedly be based on the guidelines set by the UNGASS. At the moment, the format of how the revision of the so-called “post-UNGASS/2019 process” will be done is yet to be agreed.
The Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals, were not left out of the CND60 debate. Nor did updating of the items placed under international control (such as the precursors of ANPP and NPP of fentanyl, among others) take place.
One of the defining aspects of this session was that it was very inclusive. Examples of this are the contributions made at the opening session of the CND60 (in order of contribution) by: the youth representative, the scientific community representative, the civil society representative, a video-message from the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Executive Director of UNODC, the goodwill ambassador for UNODC, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, and the President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), followed by regional groups.
CND60 brought together over 1,500 representatives from Member States, civil society, academia and international organizations. A record figure. As was the organization of more than 100 parallel events, a fact not yet published. In addition, there were more exhibits than at other times. This inclusiveness and high participation will certainly be aspects to remember of CND60.
Participation of Dianova
Dianova was represented by four delegates; Montse Rafel, Director General of Dianova International; Rui Martins, Director of Communications and International Relations for Dianova Portugal; Antonio Jesús Molina Fernandez, Dianova Spain Therapeutic Coordinator; and Lucía Goberna, Head of International Relations for Dianova International.
Dianova organized a side event on the versatility of the therapeutic community. Also, Dianova Spain participated in a side event to present the “Triple R Project: Rehabilitation, Social Reinsertion and Justice Intervention“. Dianova Portugal meanwhile, participated in the side event entitled “Knowledge of drugs in adults: an approach for prevention in five stages.”
As representatives of civil society, at Dianova we are satisfied with the increasingly significant and visible role adopted by civil society organizations in this United Nations forum. In the words of Yury Fedotov, “the energy and experience of the civil society enriches the sessions of the CND and is a key resource for the international community. The simple truth is that: We need you”.
As already mentioned, a representative of civil society participated in the inauguration of CND60. Another fact is that NGOs are increasingly permitted to present their views throughout the plenary meetings. This was the case for the Proyecto Hombre Association, whose representative Oriol Esculies reported the main findings of the “Mallorca Declaration” of the V Institute of the WFTC, which seeks to strengthen the role of the therapeutic communities worldwide, a declaration that was signed by Dianova International.
In addition, as has been happening over the last few years, there were three sessions of informal dialogues: the UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov and his team, another with the President of the INCB, Werner Sipp, and the last with the President of the CND, Norwegian Ambassador Bente Angell-Hansen and the President of the Council in charge of the preparation of the CND post-UNGASS/2019 process, the Portuguese Ambassador, Pedro Moitinho de Almeida. Dianova International submitted three questions directly to the authorities in the informal dialogues.
This year, Dianova participated in the organization of an exhibition entitled #WeDoRecover centered on the importance of investing in rehabilitation policies and initiatives, the final stage of treatment for drug addiction, as a vital part to close the circle of the dependency, demonstrating that it is possible to get out of addiction.
Finally, the week of sessions in Vienna also gives the opportunity to hold meetings on the margins of the formal meetings, as was done for the celebration of the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs’ (VNGOC) annual meeting, and allowed Dianova representatives to get in touch with representatives of national delegations and from NGOs from around the world.
In conclusion, it has been an intense CND60, where civil society has played an important role and in which Dianova representatives have been very active in defending the principles and programmes of addiction prevention and treatment, the need to address vulnerable populations, and to promote greater interaction with civil society. See you at CND61!