2014•11•19     New York

UN Photo/Kim Haughton

On 17 November 2014 UNU hosted a panel discussion at United Nations Headquarters on “The Road to the United Nations General Assembly’s special session on the World Drug Problem 2016” (UNGASS 2016). The panel discussion, moderated by UNU Rector David M. Malone, provided insights into the current state of global drug control arrangements and the relations to human health, human rights, and human security. The event considered the steps currently being taken, and what additional steps might be undertaken, by the UN Membership, the Committee on Narcotic Drugs, and by the UN Secretariat, and collaborating agencies, funds and programmes, to help all stakeholders prepare for UNGASS 2016.

The roundtable was attended by over 90 representatives of Permanent Missions to the United Nations, officials from the UN Secretariat, agencies, funds and programmes, and representatives from civil society organizations.

The roundtable identified and discussed five areas of concern regarding preparations for UNGASS 2016:

1. The current UNGASS 2016 draft agenda excludes key issues;
2. Preparations for UNGASS 2016 need to keep pace with developments on the ground;
3. There is a need to develop specific policy options for debate at UNGASS 2016, or it risks being seen as a ‘talkshop’;
4. There is a need to develop specific mechanisms for engaging policy actors in New York in a meaningful way; and
5. The active participation of civil society during UNGASS 2016 will be crucial to its perceived success

For a full overview of the event and the topics covered see the UN WEB TV video below and download the meeting note from the related files tab.