Informal discussion between senior officials from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and civil society representatives stress civil society’s important role against drugs
VIENNA, 15 March (United Nations Information Service) – Civil society is a crucial partner for UNODC’s efforts to help countries tackle the world drug problem, UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov said today.
“Civil society’s energy and experience enriches the sessions of the Commission on Narcotic drugs and represents a vital resource for the international community. The simple truth is: we need you,” he said.
During the question and answer session, the UNODC Executive Director and his senior management team discussed drug prevention and treatment, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, health, the role of youth, and proportionality of sentences, among other topics.
The UNODC Chief said the outcome document of the UN General Assembly special session on the world drug problem acknowledged civil society’s role in supporting countries to implement balanced approaches to drugs. He said these efforts were helping to achieve key targets under the Sustainable Development Goals.
Mr. Fedotov met civil society representatives at an informal dialogue held on the margins of the 60th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. Also participating were UNODC Director of the Division for Operations and Deputy Executive Director Aldo Lale-Demoz and the UNODC Director for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs Jean-Luc Lemahieu.
UNODC works in close partnership with hundreds of non-governmental and civil society in dozens of countries around the world.