Assistant Minister the Hon Emma McBride MP will lead Australia's delegation to the High-Level Segment of the 67th session for the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).
The session will be held in Vienna, Austria from 14 -15 March 2024.
Assistant Minister McBride will meet with high-level delegates from other nations to discuss a diverse range of drug-related matters and will represent Australia at a number of key events, including the United States Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats.
As part of the Pledge4Action initiative, Australia will also make pledges committing continued support for action to reduce the harms associated with drug use.
The CND is the United Nation's principal policy-making body on drug related matters. It coordinates international efforts to control the use and movement of narcotics and psychotropic substances as well as ensuring their continued availability for medical purposes.
Australia has been an active member of the CND since 1973.
The High-Level Segment of CND67 brings together member states, international organisations, and civil society for the mid-term review of all international drug policy commitments since members agreed to strengthen national, regional and international action in 2019.
This important and timely review will take stock of progress made since 2019. It will also map the way forward over the next five years-implementing agreed commitments and addressing persistent and emerging global drug challenges.
Australia has a strong reputation advocating for a balanced health, law enforcement and human rights approach to drug policy at international drug policy meetings, particularly at the CND.
The Minister's attendance allows Australia to demonstrate its work and achievements in addressing the global drug situation, particularly in public health-driven approaches to drug policy.
According to the 2023 World Drug Report, in 2021, one in every 17 people aged 15-64 in the world had used either an illicit drug or a pharmaceutical for non-medical purposes in the past 12 months.
The estimated number of people who had used illicit drugs or pharmaceuticals not as prescribed grew from 240 million in 2011 to 296 million in 2021.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister, Emma McBride:
"The Australian Government has a strong record of advocacy and action in addressing global drug challenges as part of the international community.
"This forum is an important milestone in a 10-year commitment made by CND members to reduce the harms associated with illicit and non-medical drug use.
"Australia has a long-standing commitment to harm minimisation, which considers the health, social and economic consequences of drug use on individuals, families and communities.
"The Australian Government provides significant funding for a range of treatment, prevention and harm reduction initiatives so I look forward to sharing Australia's experience and models of best practice and learning from others."
