Groundbreaking resolution addresses drug-related environmental issues

The 68th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, held from March 10 to 14 in Vienna, marked a significant milestone with the adoption of a resolution presented by Morocco, France, and Brazil. This unprecedented resolution focuses on the environmental impacts of illicit drug-related activities.

Titled "Combating the Environmental Impact of Illicit Drug Activities," this resolution underscores Morocco's substantial contributions over the past decade to the UN's discussions on global drug issues.

During the proceedings, Azzeddine Farhane, Morocco's permanent representative to the UN in Vienna, expressed gratitude to all commission members for their support of the resolution. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of various countries that co-sponsored the initiative and emphasized the constructive participation throughout the negotiation process.

The resolution calls on member states to integrate environmental protection into their drug policies and develop international strategies to address the adverse effects of illicit drug activities on the environment. Farhane highlighted the importance of fostering international cooperation among judicial authorities and law enforcement agencies while respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

This initiative, representing three continents, aligns with the 2019 ministerial declaration and the midterm review planned for 2024, which recognized the need to combat the root causes and harmful effects of illicit drug activities on the environment.

Farhane pointed out that the resolution is grounded in the final document of the UN General Assembly's 30th special session held in 2016, which reaffirmed the significance of environmental protection in combating the illicit cultivation of drug-producing plants and other drug-related activities.

Moreover, he commended the research conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in recent years, particularly for the 2022, 2023, and 2024 World Drug Reports, which provide insights into the direct and indirect environmental impacts of illicit drug activities.

The resolution also mandates the Commission on Narcotic Drugs to continue discussions on the environmental implications of illicit drug activities during its 2029 review of progress in implementing international drug policy commitments.

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs serves as a decision-making body within the UN system, guiding international action against drug-related crime. It operates under the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and acts as a governing body for the UNODC, with its resolutions providing essential guidelines for member states and the UNODC itself.