Expected start date:

2015•05•01

Expected end date:

2016•05•31

Institute:

UNU Office at the United Nations

Project Status:

Closed

Project Type:

Research

Project Manager :

Summer Walker

In 2016, the UN General Assembly will hold a Special Session on the World Drug Problem (UNGASS 2016). Drugs and drug policy affect all societies, yet the impacts on society vary tremendously across the globe. Governments face vastly different scenarios vis-à-vis their positioning in drug markets and levels of development, among other factors, leading to different priorities and policies.

Differences between national approaches are becoming increasingly evident within the UN system. Some member states are seeking flexibility in setting national drug-related policies, while others are emphasizing existing implementation approaches under the Global Drug Conventions regime.

UNGASS 2016 provides an opportunity for the global community to consider how the Conventions should be implemented in current circumstances. Public expectations are growing that UNGASS 2016 not only asks this question, but that the process delivers some answers. Yet, at present, there are few specific clear deliverables under active consideration by UN Member States.

As formal preparations for UNGASS 2016 move forward, United Nations University’s Office at the UN, in New York, (UNU-ONY) is undertaking a year-long research and engagement project on drug policy. This project will marshal evidence to inform policy discussions ahead of UNGASS 2016. Over the course of 2015, UNU-ONY will convene a series of meetings, inviting members of the UN community to engage with existing evidence and research on drug policies and practices. UNU-ONY aims to catalyze discussion identifying possible common ground ahead of UNGASS 2016 and to consider what strategies are needed for UNGASS 2016 to deliver concrete results.