Mission to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
The INCB carried out a mission to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste from 16 to 21 February 2015. The mission was led by Professor Sri Suryawati, member of the Board, accompanied by Mr. Antoine Vella of the INCB Secretariat. The purpose of the mission was to obtain detailed information on Timor-Leste's policy, national legislation and practical experience in the area of drug control, and to discuss obstacles to accession of the drug control treaties of 1961 and 1971. This was the first mission of the Board to Timor-Leste.
The visit was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, which welcomed and supported the mission throughout. The mission met with the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Social Solidarity and the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. The mission also held discussions with senior officials from Customs, the National Police, the National Intelligence Service, the Office of the Prosecutor General and the Financial Information Unit of the Central Bank of Timor-Leste. In addition, the mission received briefings from officials from the Department of Pharmacy, Laboratory and Control of Medications as well as SAMES (Autonomous Service for Medications and Health Equipment) - the entity responsible for distribution of medications throughout Timor-Leste.
The mission also visited the National Hospital of Timor-Leste, meeting the Executive Director. Moreover, the mission met with the representatives of UNDP and WHO in Timor-Leste.
The issues discussed focused on the availability of controlled drugs for medical needs, the legal and institutional framework on drug control in Timor-Leste, including its potential accession to the 1961 and 1971 conventions and the current practice with regard to trade and distribution of controlled drugs, and the current situation and outlook for the country with regard to drug trafficking and abuse.
The findings of the mission will be discussed by the Board at its 113th session to be held in May 2015, and results will be reflected in the 2015 INCB Annual Report, to be published in early 2016.
Professor Sri Suryawati (second from left), INCB Board Member, in discussion with H.E. Roberto Sarmento de Oliveira Soares (third from left), Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Also in the picture: Mr Antoine Vella (first from left), of the INCB secretariat, Mr Licinio Branco (fourth from left), National Director for the United Nations Organizations and Mr Joao da Costa Braz (fifth from left) Legal Officer, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.