April 07, 2023, 06:34 PM
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Singapore has been successfully elected to the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (UNCND), shared Minister for Communications and Information and Second Minister for Home Affairs Josephine Teo in a Facebook post on Apr. 7.
This means that Singapore will become a member of the UNCND from 2024 to 2027.
In her post, Teo added that this is the first time the country has sought CND membership, having been an observer since 1997.
"We are honoured to be elected and will work actively with the other member states towards addressing the world’s drug problem."
What is the UNCND
The UNCND is the United Nations' primary drug policy-making body.
It meets annually to review the global drug situation, develop strategies on international drug control, and recommend measures to counter the "growing threat of drugs".
According to a previous press release by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Singapore had first announced its candidature for the UNCND in Apr. 2021.
Most recently, Teo delivered Singapore’s national statement on its approach to drugs, and highlighted Singapore's candidature for CND membership during the 66th session of the CND held in Vienna, Austria, from Mar. 13 to Mar. 17.
Image courtesy of Ministry of Home Affairs
With members of Singapore's delegation from MHA and MFA/Vienna Mission. Photo credit: Harald Klemm/Ministry of Home Affairs
With members of Singapore's delegation from MHA and MFA/Vienna Mission. Photo credit: MHA
During the session, Teo shared thoughts on "worrying" current global trends in drug supply and abuse, and questioned the "increasing liberalisation" of drugs, especially cannabis, for non-medical use.
In mitigating the risks of the drug trade within the country, Teo emphasised how Singapore adopts a "multi-pronged, holistic harm prevention approach aimed at reducing drug demand and supply".
This is done through "preventive drug education", "tough laws and robust enforcement", and investing in evidence-based "rehabilitation and reintegration programmes".
In her speech, Teo also outlined how Singapore could contribute meaningfully to the work of the CND, if elected, by sharing the nation's approach to drug control and experience in drug identification and scheduling, in order to facilitate policy discussions.
"Singapore reaffirms our commitment to the three international drug conventions and acknowledges the important role of the CND, and the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) in monitoring adherence to the conventions.
We sincerely hope to contribute more to the work of the CND, as a member of the commission."
Top image via MHA
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