22 May 1989

12th plenary meeting

Allocation of appropriate resources and priority to the international drug control programme

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling that the General Assembly, in paragraph 11 of its resolution 43/122 of 8 December 1988, endorsed Commission on Narcotic Drugs resolution 4 (S-X) of 12 February 1988, considering that its implementation was essential for the adequate functioning of the Division of Narcotic Drugs of the United Nations Secretariat and the secretariat of the International Narcotics Control Board,

Recalling that the Council, in its resolution 1987/29 of 26 May 1987, requested the Secretary-General to give the sector of international drug control priority, as a matter of urgency, in the allocation of available United Nations resources,

Noting that the General Assembly, in its resolution 42/113 of 7 December 1987, requested the Secretary-General to take steps to provide, within existing resources, appropriate support for strengthening the Division of Narcotic Drugs and the secretariat of the International Narcotics Control Board, inter alia, through redeployment,

Considering that both the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which was adopted on 19 December 1988, have mandated new activities to be undertaken by the Division of Narcotic Drugs as secretariat of the Commission and on behalf of the Secretary-General, as well as by the International Narcotics Control Board and its secretariat,

Recalling the conclusion of the Committee for Programme and Co-ordination on the programme budget for the biennium 1988-1989, in which the Committee recommended that the Secretary-General, in implementing General Assembly resolution 41/213 of 19 December 1986, in which he was requested to reduce the number of posts in the Secretariat by 15 per cent, keep in mind the concerns expressed by Member States regarding the proposed reductions in posts in smaller offices, including those concerned with narcotics affairs, 40/

Deeply concerned that the proposed cuts envisaged for the international drug control programme would adversely affect programmes which the Commission considers to be of priority,

Having considered the draft proposed programme budget for the biennium 1990-1991 for the Division of Narcotic Drugs,

1. Endorses the recommendations on priorities made by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs at its thirty-third session on the various programme elements contained in the programme of work of the Division of Narcotic Drugs for the biennium 1990-1991;

2. Draws to the attention of Member States, in the light of resource reductions and in spite of the identification of priorities, the fact that without additional resources implementation of many important programme elements will be seriously impaired or prevented;

3. Urges States to implement resolution 3 adopted by the United Nations Conference for the Adoption of a Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances by taking appropriate steps in the General Assembly as well as in the financial organs of the Assembly to assign the appropriate priority and approve the necessary budgetary appropriations with a view to providing the Division of Narcotic Drugs and the secretariat of the International Narcotics Control Board with the necessary resources to discharge fully the tasks entrusted to them;

4. Invites the Secretary-General to take the necessary measures in conformity with General Assembly resolution 42/113.