CND Side Event - "Practical approaches to prevent exploitation of international postal and express mail services for trafficking of dangerous goods and related substances of concern"
Vienna, 13 March 2023 - The Secretariat of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) co-sponsored the Universal Postal Union (UPU) side event "practical approaches to prevent exploitation of international postal and express mail services for trafficking of dangerous goods and related substances of concern", held on the margins of the 66th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). The event was organized by the Universal Postal Union (UPU), and also co-sponsored by the Governments of Australia, Japan and the United States of America.
Panelists shared expertise, information and innovative approaches to protect communities and front-line officers from the risk of exposure to these dangerous substances. New technologies such as UPU's Dangerous Goods Search Tool and INCB's GRIDS Intelligence HD targeting tool are being leveraged to provide real-time, actionable intelligence to prevent the shipment of dangerous good and substances at their source.
The event concluded that building system inter-operability, the use of big data and advanced algorithms will serve to expand partnerships and future proof against rapid changes in this threat to postal operators. Dr. Daisaku Sato, Director of the Compliance and Narcotics Section of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare stated that "to prevent the exploitation and trafficking of synthetic drugs and related chemicals, it is crucial to promote cooperation and networking between Member States, international organizations, and industry."
Through its cooperative agreement, the UPU is working closely with the INCB to combat this threat, to increase awareness, and provide training and capacity building to postal and law enforcement operators.
The GRIDS Programme is the International Narcotics Control Board´s global initiative addressing the international trafficking aspects of emerging dangerous substances. Launched in February 2020, the Programme contributes to the implementation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 73/192, which calls for international cooperation to address and counter the world drug problem, by responding to requests by Member States to enhance their law enforcement capacity to detect and identify new psychoactive substances and promote information sharing and cross-border cooperation, and Commission on Narcotic Drugs Resolution 62/8. The GRIDS Programme also contributes to the 2030 Agenda, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals on good health and wellbeing, sustainable cities and communities, peace, justice and strong institutions, and partnerships.
Click here to learn more about the GRIDS Programme
Click here to learn more about the OPIOIDS Project
Click here to learn more about the Project ION