India To Chair 68th commission On Narcotics & Drugs from Vajirao & Reddy Institute

INDIA TO CHAIR 68TH COMMISSION ON

• India's Appointment: India has been chosen to chair the 68th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) for the first time.
• Official Appointment: Ambassador Shambhu S Kumaran, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, formally assumed the chairmanship of the CND.

• Mandate and Role:
  • The CND is the principal policy-making body of the United Nations on drug-related matters.
  • It is responsible for monitoring global drug trends, supporting Member States in formulating balanced policies on drug control, and overseeing the implementation of three key international drug conventions (1961, 1971, and 1988 Conventions).
  • The CND is mandated to decide on the scope of control of substances under these conventions.
• Organizational Structure:
  • The CND operates as one of the functional commissions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
  • It also serves as a Governing Body of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which is headquartered in Vienna.
• Member States and Regional Representation:
  • The CND has 53 member states, which are elected by ECOSOC.
  • The CND is guided by a Bureau, which includes one member from each Regional Group of countries (e.g., Asia, Africa, Latin America).
  • The Commission meets annually to adopt decisions and resolutions on global drug control issues.
  • Intersessional meetings are convened throughout the year, and at the end of each year, the Commission meets in a reconvened session to address budgetary and administrative matters as the governing body of the UN drug programme.
• Subsidiary Bodies:
  • The CND has five subsidiary bodies that focus on national drug law enforcement agencies in different regions:

1. Europe
2. Latin America and the Caribbean
3. Asia and the Pacific
4. Africa
5. The Near and Middle East

• Historical First: This is the first time that India has been appointed to chair the CND, reflecting India's growing influence in international governance and its increasing leadership role on the global stage.
• Global Leadership: India's selection underscores its commitment to addressing global challenges and contributing to international discussions on important issues, such as drug control, through multilateral frameworks like the United Nations.
• Focus on the Global South: As chair, India is expected to advocate for the interests of the Global South, aiming to balance the perspectives of developing and developed nations on drug policy.
• Priority Areas: India will focus on integrating the concerns of emerging economies with the priorities of developed countries, striving for holistic and balanced approaches to drug-related issues, especially in areas such as illicit drug trafficking, substance abuse, and the availability of controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes.

• The agenda for the upcoming year is expected to focus on the following key issues:

1. Strengthening international collaboration to combat illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse.
2. Addressing the social and health impacts of drug abuse globally.
3. Ensuring the availability of controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes while minimizing misuse.
4. Continuing to build on multilateral dialogue to promote evidence-based solutions for drug-related issues.

• India will work closely with other member states of the CND to advance equitable, inclusive, and sustainable strategies for addressing these global challenges.

• ECOSOC Overview:
  • ECOSOC is one of the 5 principal organs of the United Nations, established by the UN Charter in 1945.
  • It is responsible for coordinating and directing the economic, social, humanitarian, and cultural activities carried out by the UN.
  • ECOSOC’s mandate includes fostering international cooperation in addressing global issues such as poverty, human rights, and drug control.
• Relationship with CND:
  • As a functional commission of ECOSOC, the CND’s activities and policies are shaped within the broader framework of ECOSOC’s objectives.
  • ECOSOC plays an important role in guiding the CND's work, ensuring that its decisions align with the UN's broader goals for global development and peace.