Informal Interactive Consultation Prior to UNGASS

On 10 February, NGOs, civil society organizations and other stakeholders will exchange views on key priorities for UNGASS

'For drug policies without war'

In April 2016, the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) will address the World Drug Problem and, hopefully, bring about needed changes within the international drug control system. Since the General Assembly decided to convene this special session, a great number of NGOs, institutions and specialized agencies of the UN system have embarked on the road leading to UNGASS 2016.

Civil society organizations have also engaged in the preparatory process of UNGASS, most notably through the implementation of the Civil Society Task Force (CSTF), the objective of which is to ensure a balanced and inclusive civil society and other stakeholders engagement and coordination in this process. In order to support this objective, the President of the UN General Assembly will convene an informal interactive consultation on 10 February, 2016.

The consultation will provide all relevant stakeholders with an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing preparatory process in a day of interactive panel discussions that will include Member States, as well as representatives from civil society, non-governmental organizations, the academic and scientific community and others. The consultation will focus on taking stock of the various aspects of drug policy and practice and participants will be encouraged to exchange views on key priorities for UNGASS.

Ms. Maria de Los Angeles Lobos will participate in the consultation as a representative from the Dianova Network and to share the experience of the organization in Chile