For information only - not an official document
UNIS/NAR/1308
3 February 2017
INCB urges increased vigilance and international cooperation to effectively address the world drug problem in compliance with human rights
VIENNA, 3 February (United Nations Information Service) - At today's closing of the 118th session of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) President Werner Sipp emphasized the importance of preventing not only the abuse of drugs but also their illicit manufacture and trafficking.
During the one-week session, the Board reviewed the report of its advisory expert group meeting on precursors, held in January, and recommended to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs the inclusion of the two fentanyl precursors, 4-anilino- N-phenethylpiperidine (ANPP) and N-phenethyl-4-piperidone (NPP), in Table I of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988. The Commission will vote on the Board's recommendation in March 2017 (see: UNIS/NAR/1307 of 2 February 2017).
The Board welcomed new Board member Raúl Martín del Campo Sánchez who brings vast experience in the field of drug demand reduction with an emphasis on drug treatment.
The President, Werner Sipp, whose term on the Board comes to an end this year, bid farewell to retiring Board members Ahmed Kamal Eldin Samak, Sri Suryawati and Raymond Yans and thanked them for their dedication and substantive contributions to the work of the Board. He also passed on letters of appreciation from United Nations Secretary-General thanking them for their efforts in promoting the implementation of the international drug control conventions. As the guardians of the drug control conventions, wrote the Secretary General, members of the Board have an important public responsibility bestowed upon them; the confidence of the governments and public in the Board depends wholly on the competence, independence and impartiality of its members and commended them for having fulfilled their role in this regard.
INCB discussed the recent drug control developments, including the legalization of cannabis for non-medical purposes - one of the topics covered in the INCB Annual Report for 2016 which will be launched worldwide on 2 March. The President emphasized that, in accordance with the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the Board will continue to engage in dialogue with Governments that adopt policies contrary to the treaties with a view to promote compliance with the international rule of law that they have pledged to uphold. The Board noted a recent report by the World Health Organisation on "The health and social effects of nonmedical cannabis use" and recommended its study to Governments and all those interested in the matter.
In the follow-up to its most recent country missions to South Africa and Senegal, the Board adopted recommendations to transmit to those Governments. President Sipp commended the excellent cooperation the Board had received from Governments in 2016, and urged all Governments to respond promptly and positively when invited by the Board to host one of its cooperation missions. The President also emphasized that "full, accurate and timely provision of data on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is essential for promoting access to and availability of medicines containing those substances and therefore essential to promoting Sustainable Development Goal 3 on ensuring good health and wellbeing for all, at all ages".
In preparation for the 60th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the Board held consultations with the Chair of the Commission, the Permanent Representative of Norway, and the Facilitator of Post-UNGASS 2016 process, the Permanent Representative of Portugal. At the Commission, the Board will present its annual reports, hold a side-event on the topic of "proportionality" and conduct wide-ranging consultations with Member States to support their treaty implementation efforts.
INCB also held consultations with the Executive Director of UNODC that focussed on the situation in Afghanistan and the need for further international cooperation.
The Board's 2016 Annual Report, Precursors report and technical publications on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances will be launched on 2 March 2017. The Annual Report includes a thematic chapter entitled "Women and drugs" which addresses the specific needs of women who use drugs and the harms they face in connection to drug use.
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