UN system incoherence

IDPC Advocacy Note - Some initial high priorities for Mr. Fedotov, the new Executive Director of UNODC

On 9th July 2010, the United Nations Secretary General appointed Russian Ambassador Yuri Viktorovich Fedotov as the next Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). In welcoming Mr. Fedotov, IDPC outlines in this Advocacy Note the critical challenges that he will face as he takes up office.

On 9 July 2010, the UN Secretary General appointed Russian Ambassador Yuri V. Fedotov as the next Executive Director of UNODC. In welcoming Mr. Fedorov, IDPC outlines in this advocacy note the critical challenges that he will face as he takes up office, and proposes key recommendations.
Added on 25 August 2010

Informal Drug Policy Dialogue, Kolymbari-Chania, Crete - 22 & 23 May 2009

The sixth meeting of the Informal Drug Policy Dialogue series, a joint initiative of the Andreas Papandreou Foundation and the Transnational Institute, took place in Kolymbari-Chania, Crete, on 22 and 23 May, 2009. Over 35 people attended, approximately one-third policy makers and two-thirds representatives of nongovernmental organizations or academic inst

The sixth meeting of the Informal Drug Policy Dialogue series, a joint initiative of the Andreas Papandreou Foundation and the Transnational Institute, took place in Kolymbari-Chania, Crete, on 22 and 23 May, 2009.
Added on 22 July 2009

System Wide Coherence

The principle of “system wide coherence” was introduced into the UN’s thinking and policy making in the context of the attempt to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, set by the Millennium Declaration in 2000. The objective was to make the UN’s work more effective and coherent by integrating and connecting the many areas within which the organisation is active (development, humanitarian assistance, peace-keeping, etc.).

Global Drug Control System

The present global drug control system is now 100 years old. It was inspired by the realisation that no country could regulate drug use in isolation, since these commodities were so readily bought and sold across borders and jurisdictions. Effective control would require states to work together as an international community.

UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is the UN agency responsible for coordinating international drug control activities. It was established in 2002 and currently has around 500 staff members worldwide. Its headquarters are in Vienna and it has 21 field offices as well as a liaison office in New York.

Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is the central policy-making body for the UN drug control system. Its brief includes the conduct of ongoing analysis of the global drug situation and the development of proposals designed to combat drug-related problems, and to reinforce the system of controls. Member state delegates to this primary UN forum for discussion and decision-making on drug policy are overwhelmingly drawn from the foreign affairs and law enforcement disciplines.

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is the central policy-making body for the UN drug control system. Its brief includes the conduct of ongoing analysis of the global drug situation and the development of proposals designed to combat drug-related problems, and to reinforce the system of controls.

UN Headquarters

UN Secretary General's office, New York

Global Advocacy

A key aspect of the work of the IDPC relates to the engagement by our members in the debates and decision making processes at the global level – United Nations and other multilateral agencies. Through working collaboratively and sharing information, we can have a much greater impact in advocacy terms and influence the positions taken by governments.

A key aspect of the work of the IDPC relates to the engagement by our members in the debates and decision making processes at the global level – United Nations and other multilateral agencies. Through working collaboratively and sharing information, we can have a much greater impact in advocacy terms and influence the positions taken by governments. It is important that we make every effort to support the process of modernisation and improvement of the global drug control framework, as its traditional focus on harsh ‘war on drugs’ rhetoric and enforcement and punishment based strategies, has a large influence on the way national governments (particularly in developing countries) conceive of and implement their own policies and programmes.

UN Special Rapporteurs write to Chair of CND offering guidance on human rights

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment - Professor Manfred Nowak - and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health - Mr Anand Grover - have written to the Chairperson of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) to "offer guidance" regarding human rights issues that have arisen during the UN's ten-year drug strategy review.

In this letter, the Special Rapporteurs are deeply critical of the failure of the draft UN political declaration and annex to give any mention of harm reduction.
Added on 7 April 2009

IDPC Advocacy Note - Issues not Covered by the Working Groups

As the process of reviewing the 10-year achievements of the global drug control system continues, the IDPC has been synthesising the wide range of publications and analysis from its members into brief advocacy notes that summarise our positions on the key issues in this review.

As the process of reviewing the 10-year achievements of the global drug control system continues, the IDPC has been synthesising the wide range of publications and analysis from its members into brief advocacy notes that summarise our positions on the key issues in this review.
Added on 27 June 2008
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