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 satisfaction in seeing you presiding over
the 49th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). The Group is
confident of your ability to successfully conduct the activities of this
session and I wish to assure you of the Group's support in the task ahead.
I also take this opportunity to thank the Secretariat for the preparation
of our meetings and for making the documents available.
Madam Chairperson,
The G-77 and China welcomes and supports the choice of "Alternative
development as an important drug control strategy and establishing
alternative development as a crosscutting issue" in accordance with
Commission's resolution 48/9, as the thematic debate for the 49th session.
Over the years, alternative development has been a useful drug control
strategy by contributing to a reduction of illicit Crops cultivation,
while at the same time, providing growers with alternative means of
livelihood. However, the Group notes, as indicated in the INCB Report for
2005 that alternative development projects have not been extended to all
regions where illicit crops are cultivated. The G-77 and China expresses
the hope that the thematic debate would provide the opportunity to
re-examine and expand the focus of the alternative development and
preventive alternative development to all regions where the problem
exists, and to cultivations of illicit crops that have not been included.
In this connection, the G-77 and China expresses its support for two
the resolutions emanating from members of the Group on (i) Using
alternative development programmes to reduce the cultivation of cannabis
plants; and (ii) Strengthening international cooperation for alternative
development, preventive alternative development and protection of the
environment;
The G-77 and China also wishes to recall that the Joint Ministerial
Segment of the 46th session urged Member States to prevent proliferation
of sources of licit opium. If this appeal is not heeded, this has the
potential to disturb the delicate balance between supply and demand for
licit opium, which had been achieved over the years through the efforts of
Member States and INCB. ECOSOC adopted resolution 2004/43 on this subject,
which specifically underscored the need to maintain this balance. The
Group urges all States to exercise utmost caution and, to adhere to the
established system in order to prevent proliferation of sources of licit
opium.
Madam Chairperson,
The G-77 and China welcomes the report of the Executive Director on
International Assistance to states affected by the transit of illicit
drugs pursuant to ECOSOC resolution 2005/27 of July 2005.
Being transit countries the connection between consuming and
producing countries, lucrative markets were created and an increase in the
abuse of various types of drugs was registered along transit trafficking
routes. Some transit countries along those routes are facing the
consequences of trans-national organized crime, terrorism and governance
issues.
In this regard, the Group believes that international cooperation
should be strengthened to tackle the problems transit countries are
facing, as they constitute the link between producing and consuming
countries.
Madam Chairperson,
The Group 77 and China welcomes the report of the Executive Director
on strengthening alternative development as an important drug control
strategy and establishing alternative development as a crosscutting issue,
E/CN.7/2006/7.
The G-77 and China re-affirms its conviction that the fight against
demand and supply of drugs requires an integrative approach of preventive
and enforcement measures. It is in this connection that the Group
reiterates its call upon international organizations and developed
countries to provide new and additional financial resources and technical
assistance, including alternative development programmes and preventive
alternative development projects, to drug producing countries and transit
countries in their efforts in fighting the drug problem.
Consequently, the Group strives for further synergy to counter
jointly the global drug problem through partnership and shared
responsibility at the international, regional, sub-regional and bilateral
levels.
We would also like to point out that the priorities led down by CND
sometimes differ from the priorities of major donor countries and
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 welcomes the recent signing of the Letter of Intent between
the UNODC and the Asian Development Bank in which they agreed to extend
their cooperation to drug control and expresses hope that similar
agreements would be reached with other regional and international
financial institutions.
Madam Chairperson,
Furthermore, the G-77 and China calls for the implementation of
General Assembly resolutions, particularly Resolution 59/160 adopted on
the global and market survey on cannabis.
The Group 77 and China notes with satisfaction the assessment of the
Annual Report that the illicit poppy cultivation area in Asian producing
countries has declined greatly in recent years. These achievements are a
result of the determination and efforts of the relevant governments and
the generous support of the international community.
However, the illicit cultivation, production and trafficking of
opiates in this region is still worrisome. The livelihood of those living
in former cultivation areas is quite weak and far from sustainable. The
risk of re-emergence of illicit crops in these areas is always high.
Therefore, the Group emphasizes the need for providing continued
alternative development assistance to those countries.
The G-77 and China also highlights that in States affected by illicit
crops, cultivation, reforestation and associated environmental concerns
require immediate attention and action from those states with the support
of the international community.
In conclusion, Madam Chairperson, I would like to assure you that the
Group will continue to provide its active support to strengthen and
revitalize the UNODC, and will work with all Member States and the
Secretariat to that end.
Our will and commitment in the fight against illicit narcotics is
reflected in the measures taken by Member States according to the
principle of shared responsibility. In this respect, cooperation and
coordination play a key role. In that line we feel that the international
Community, particularly developed countries should take a more active
stand on financing programs and activities that deal with the fight
against illicit drugs.
Thank you, Madam Chairperson.
|
|
|
|
| First
Page
Vienna Chapter |
G-77 Homepage |