Vienna Chapter
Madam Chairperson,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. I
am pleased to convey to you our pleasure in seeing you again chairing the
work of this reconvened 46th session of the Commission of Narcotic Drugs.
I also take this opportunity to thank the Executive Director and the
Secretariat for their work in assisting you in the preparation of our
meetings and for making the documents available.
Madam Chairperson,
The Group would like to make some observations and remarks regarding
the consolidated Budget 2004-2005 elaborated by the United Nations office
on Drugs and Crime.
The draft consolidated budget is a lengthy and complex document which
needs a careful analysis and detailed study. The Group of 77 and China
observes the ambiguity in the use of terms throughout the text of the
budget which needs clarifications. The Group considers it necessary that
it should be sent to all the Member States well in advance in order to
have sufficient time and opportunity to discuss it in early stages with
the Secretariat. The Group also suggests that in future the budget
document should be simpler and user-friendly and that the consultations
for the preparation of the draft budget should start well in advance to
enable the Secretariat to address the concerns of the Member States.
We emphasise that the consolidated budget has to be elaborated in a
more transparent manner to take fully into account the priorities
established by the CND and the concerns of Member States. In this regard,
we would also like to point out that the priorities laid down by CND
sometimes differ from the priorities of the donors. Therefore, we would
like to encourage more dialogue among the UNODC and all stakeholders
especially, those countries where projects are implemented to ensure that
UNODC has sufficient funds to carry out projects in all the regions in
accordance with priorities set by the CND. The Group requests the
Secretariat that the budget document should indicate the allocations
corresponding to the priorities established by the CND.
The Group supports the efforts made by the ODC in all the
geographical regions in the fight against narcotic drugs. Nevertheless,
the Group notes with concern the decrease in the budget allocated to some
regions, particularly in Africa, which belong to the G-77. In this global
village, the importance of equitable distribution of resources for the
fight against drugs and crime in all regions cannot be overemphasised.
Lack of resources in some regions could result in criminal networks using
these regions as a platform for their activities.
The G-77 and China considers that international cooperation, within
the framework of ODC, should be strengthened to tackle the problems of the
growing illicit production and trafficking of cannabis as well as those
faced by transit countries.
Madam Chairperson,
We observe the involvement of the Secretariat in the implementation
and follow-up of the Paris Pact. If the resources of the ODC are being
committed, the Group holds the view that there should be wider
consultations and participation of all the Member States of the CND in the
formulations and follow up of the Paris Pact.
Madam Chairperson,
In relation to the thematic discussion for the forty-seventh session
of the Commission, the Group urges consensus among all regional groups in
order to ensure that the topic to be chosen has universal applicability
and direct relevance to the drug related problems of regions.
Finally, Madam Chairperson,
The Group of 77 and China will continue to provide its active support
to achieve the goals of the Commission and will work with all members and
the Secretariat to that end.
Thank you.
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