Statement of the G-77 and China delivered by Mr. Hellmut Lagos, Chargé d’affaires a.i. on behalf of H.E. Ambassador Armin Andereya Latorre, Permanent Representative of Chile, at the Special Segment of the 58th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs
Vienna, 9 March 2015
H.E. Ambassador Arthayudh Srisamoot, Chairman of the Commission on Narcotics Drugs
H.E. Mr. Yury Fedotov, Executive Director, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
H.E. Ambassador Khaled Shamaa, Chair of the UNGASS Board
1. On behalf of the Group of 77 and China, allow me to congratulate you on your election as Chair of this 58th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), as well as to the other members of the Bureau. You can counton the full support and cooperation of the Group of 77 and China for the successful conclusion of the meeting.
2. The Group also commends the Secretariat for the excellent preparations made to support the work during the course of our session.
Mr. Chairman,
3. The world drug problem remains a common and shared responsibility that requires all our efforts and an increased and effective international cooperation. In facing this problem we need an integrated, multidisciplinary, mutually reinforcing and balanced approach to supply and demand reduction strategies. In this regard, while underlining the need to strive for further synergies at the international, regional, sub regional and bi-lateral levels the Group calls upon the international community to provide adequate resources and technical assistance to the requesting member countries in addressing the world drug problem.
4. The Group further reaffirms its unwavering commitment to ensure that the above approach should be in full conformity with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter, International Law and the universal declaration of human rights, and in particular with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States as well as for the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of States.
5. The Group underscores that the three international drug control conventions and other relevant international instruments constitute the cornerstone of the international drug control system.
6. The Group remains committed to achieving the targets and goals, as well as implementing the provisions set out in the Political Declaration and its Plan of Action adopted in 2009.
Mr. Chairman,
7. Last year we undertook a High Level Mid Term Review of the implementation of the Political Declaration and Plan of Action of 2009 and adopted a Joint Ministerial Statement. The Group considers that this High Level Mid Term Review provided a useful opportunity to determine the progress achieved and challenges faced in the implementation of the 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action.
8. In that sense, the Group considers that UNGASS 2016 constitutes an invaluable opportunity for a high-level, fruitful, open and wide-ranging discussion among Member States leading up to the implementation of the commitments and targets set out in the Political Declaration and Plan of Action within the framework of the three international drug control conventions and other relevant international instruments.
9. With regards to this session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the Group looks forward to the interactive discussions on the different topics, to be held this week during this Special Segment for the preparation of the UNGASS 2016. The Group views that such discussions will be useful for the preparatory process that will allow Member States and other relevant stakeholders to fully contribute to it in an inclusive manner.
10. The Group commends the efforts made by States parties in preventing, eliminating or reducing significantly and measurably the illicit cultivation of crops used for production and manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. In this regard, the group calls for a more enhanced regional and international cooperation in order to continue to fight against the illicit manufacturing, production and trafficking of drugs and psychotropic substances.
11. The Group is concerned over the emerging means of transporting illegal drugs, as well as drug-couriers including women, girls and old persons. The use of these methods may lead to other illicit activities as well. TheGroup reiterates the need to strengthen international and regional cooperation to counter new challenges posed by the world drug problem especially by providing, upon request, support to the law enforcement authorities of the developing countries as well as the exchange of good practices and South-South cooperation.
12. The Group underlines the challenges that law enforcement authorities of the developing countries, including those most affected by the transit of drugs, face in the control of trafficking in and smuggling of drugs, as well as their efforts in fulfilling more effectively their commitment to prevent such substances from reaching end markets and from being diverted to domestic distribution. These efforts need to be supplemented by international cooperation on the basis of the principle of common and shared responsibility. In this connection, the Group urges the international community to enhance international cooperation and assistance on the basis of this principle and in full conformity with Article 10 of the 1988 Convention.
Mr. Chairman,
13. The Group recognizes that the illicit cultivation, production, manufacturing trafficking, and abuse of drugs as well as trafficking in and diversion of precursors remain a major challenge in countering the world drug problem. The Group also takes note of the recent reports, which show that in some regions the cultivation of certain crops used for the production of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances have diminished.
14. The Group attaches special importance to integrated and sustainable crop control strategies, such as alternative development, and to preventive alternative development programs, eradication, and law enforcement measures in order to prevent, reduce, and eliminate the illicit cultivation of crops used for the production of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Together, these strategies should lead to sustainable results in reducing the illicit drug supply including sustainable and viable economic alternatives to the regions affected by and at risk of illicit cultivation of crops. In this regard, the Group wishes to emphasize the efforts made by Member Statesas well as the essential role of the South-South and triangular cooperation schemes and national experiences or national initiatives including citizen participation.
15. Furthermore, the Group reiterates the need to strengthen regional and international cooperation to support sustainable alternative development programmes, including preventive alternative development, taking into account the UN Guiding Principles on Alternative Development. In this context the Group welcomes the ongoing efforts to share experiences and proposals on the implementation of initiatives that could, in full compliance with international trade rules, encourage markets dynamics and develop measures oriented to establishing secure and stable markets with fair prices for producers of licitly produced products stemming from alternative development, including preventive alternative development programmes through voluntary marketing tools such as those contained in the CND resolutions 55/8 and 56/15.
16. At the same time, the impact of new psychoactive substances, highlight the need to develop comprehensive and integrated approaches to counter this threat including the identification and analysis of possible negative health impacts. The Group calls for strengthened efforts by Member States, with a view to prevent the health and social risks posed by the substances under international control and new psychoactive substances.
17. The Group encourages Member States to monitor trends emerging in some regions in the importation, exportation and distribution of some synthetic opioid analgesics not under international control, in particular tramadol. In this regard, the Group underscores the need to monitor patterns in the non-medical use and misuse of such substances within the national borders, and to continue, along with the UNODC, the WHO, the INCB and other relevant organizations, sharing and exchanging information on those emerging trends and patterns through bilateral and multilateral channels. The Group considers that appropriate measures in accordance with national legislation may be undertaken with a view to prevent and reduce the non-medical use and misuse, supply from illicit sources and diversion of these substances, while ensuring their availability for medical and scientific purposes while considering appropriate measures in accordance with national legislation aimed at preventing and reducing the non-medical use and misuse, supply from illicit sources and diversion of these substances.
18. A balanced approach to the world drug problem should also take into consideration the notion that drug addiction is a health problem and, in that regard, the need for national drug strategies to have drug demand reduction components, including, as appropriate, primary prevention, early intervention, treatment, care, rehabilitation, recovery and social reintegration, and taking into account relevant human rights commitments.
19. To conclude, Mr. Chairman, the Group of 77 and China remains fully committed to make this session a successful one. Thank you for your attention.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Operational Segment: Agenda item 3
Mr. Chairman.
1. The Group of 77 and China recognizes the positive role played by the intergovernmental working group to improve the governance and financial situation of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (FINGOV) as an appropriate forum for a fruitful dialogue on UNODC's programme development and implementation, through a process of consultation and review, thereby strengthening the trust, deepening the understanding and enhancing the cooperation between Member States and the Secretariat, as well as among Member States themselves.
2. In this regard, the Group commends the leadership of the Co-chairs of the Working Group, H.E. Ambassador Reza Najafi, Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Mr. Ignacio Baylina of Spain.
3. The Group welcomes the recommendations made in resolution E/CN.7/2015/L.2, outlining the continuous support for strengthening the financial situation of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the promotion of an integrated programme approach, and the promotion of a culture of evaluation within the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime at all stages of programme planning, development and implementation. Furthermore, the Group agrees on the importance of continuous support for strengthening human resources governance to improve gender balance and geographical representation.
4. The Group looks forward to the extension of the mandate of the Working Group and reaffirms its commitment to contribute to its task. The Group believes that Member States and the Secretariat must continue to discuss ways on addressing the persistent unpredictable and constrained financial situation of the UNODC, as well the need to ensure UNODC’s delivery capacity and the sustainability of its thematic, global and regional programmes.
Agenda item 3 c)
1. The Group welcomes the inclusion in the agenda of the 58th session of the CND an item referred to Staff composition of the United Nations on Drugs and Crime and other related matters and expresses concern that geographical representation from developing countries and gender balance, especially at the senior and policy-making levels, are inadequate and adversely affect the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity of the UNODC.
2. Therefore, the Group urges the Executive Director to intensify his efforts to ensure that adequate, and proper geographical representation and gender balance are fully incorporated in the recruitment policy of UNODC, both at headquarters and its Field Offices, particularly at the senior and policy-making levels and for professional posts requiring specific skills.
3. The G-77 and China considers that this question should remain as a standing separate agenda item of this Commission and urges the Secretariat to engage in an open and transparent dialogue, providing disaggregated information as requested by our Group.
