For information only - not an official document
UNIS/NAR/1497
30 May 2025
International Narcotics Control Board calls on Governments to guarantee access to internationally controlled medicines during humanitarian emergencies as 143rd session concludes
VIENNA, 30 May (UN Information Service) - During the 143rd session, the International Narcotics Control Board continued its work monitoring countries' implementation of the three international drug control conventions and reviewing the functioning of the global system for licit international trade in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals.
The Board's Standing Committee on Estimates reviewed national estimates of licit requirements of controlled substances with a view to ensuring availability for medical, scientific and industrial purposes while preventing diversion, trafficking and misuse.
The Board remains concerned about the public health situations related to access to and availability of internationally controlled medicines in a number of regions, including in countries and territories experiencing humanitarian emergencies. The Board calls on Governments to take urgent action to ensure the provision of essential medicines for the medical treatment of populations in countries and territories experiencing humanitarian emergencies.
In reviewing the functioning of the international drug control system, the Board is focusing on challenges and opportunities in international cooperation in drug control, which will be the focus of the thematic chapter of the INCB 2025 Annual Report to be released in early 2026. The Board held a dialogue with non-governmental organizations on the issue, hearing the views of civil society representatives working in a variety of fields around the world, identified by the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs.
The Board held consultations with key partners, including the Chair of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, and representatives of the World Health Organization, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the World Customs Organization and ICPO/Interpol.
During the session, the Board reviewed outcomes under the INCB precursors control and Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) programmes. These activities are helping Member States to prevent the diversion and trafficking of precursor chemicals used in illicit drug manufacture, dangerous non-medical synthetic opioids and new psychoactive substances. The Board also reviewed the outcomes of the training and awareness-raising activities carried out in the framework of the INCB Learning programme, which is aimed at improving the availability of internationally controlled substances for medical, scientific and industrial purposes through improved implementation of the three international drug control conventions.
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INCB is the independent, quasi-judicial body charged with promoting and monitoring Government compliance with the three international drug control conventions: the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Established by the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, the thirteen members of the Board are elected in a personal capacity by the Economic and Social Council for terms of five years.
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