CND/Forty-first session

Vienna, 11-13 March 1998

Item 3 of the provisional agenda

POLICY ISSUES FOR ACTION BY THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL PROGRAMME

Activities of the United Nations Drug Control Programme

Report of the Executive Director

Summary

The present report provides an overview of the strategic direction of the United Nations International drug Congrol Programme (UNDCP) and the principal activities undertaken during 1997 in support of the efforts of the international community in dealing with the drug problem. As a centre of competence and the international reference point for drug control, UNDCP played a catalytical role in stimulating action at the national, regional and international levels through a portofolio of technical cooperation programmes undertaken by a network of field offices located in key regions and countries. It promoted subregional cooperation and acted as an honest "broker" in furthering bilateral cooperation and direct consultations between Governments. UNDCP mobilized specialized agencies and other entities of the United Nations, the international financial institutions, other intergovernmental organizations and civil society, particularly non-governmental organizations to mount a global response to the drug problem. The

present report reviews the financial situation of UNDCP and examines progress made in following up initiatives taken to broaden its financial base.

I. OVERVIEW OF THE STRATEGIC THRUST OF THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL PROGRAMME

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D. New initiatives to eliminate illicit narcotic crops

9. UNDCP has successfully acted as both catalyst and expert in efforts to eliminate the illicit cultivation of the opium poppy, as evidenced by the achievements of countries such as Iran (Islamic Republic of), Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and Viet Nam. Currently, large-scale illicit cultivation of the opium poppy is mostly concentrated in two countries: Afghanistan and Myanmar. The commitment of the Governments of Bolivia, Colombia and Peru is reflected in the alternative development programmes that they have undertaken to eradicate illicit crops.

10. The international community has expressed its commitment to the eradication of illicit narcotic crops in the international drug control treaties, praticularly in article 14 of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988. It has reiterated that objective in resolutions adopted by intergovernmental bodies, particularly the General Assembly. In order to assist Governments in meeting their treaty obligations and to support the commitment of the internaional community, UNDCP launched a special initiative to eliminate the illicit cultivation of the opium poppy and the coca bush worldwide in the next 10 years. The proposal was endorsed by the Secretary-General and the Senior Management Group, a de facto cabinet of the Untied Nations. The illicit cultivation of cannabis will, however, be dealt with in a different framework, due to factors such as the ubiquitous nature of the cannabis plant and its pattern of cultivation (i.e. its potential to grow w

ild or to be cultivated by hydroponic means).

E. Afghanistan: addressing a major source of illicit supply of heroin and opium

11. In 1997, UNDCP resumed its operations in Afghanistan as an integral part of the United Nations strategic framework for Afghanistan. Its programmes covering demand reduction, alternative development, institution-building and combating drug trafficking were extended to the whole country. The UNDCP approach is one of constructive engagement with Afghan authorities, working with local authorities in the target area and emphasizing participation. Afghan "ownership" of programmes is a crucial element in the UNDCP approach. Drug control objectives, in particular the enforcement of the ban on and the reduction of illicit opium poppy cultivation and the fulfilment of demand reduction objectives, can only be achieved with the direct involvement of the local authorities. It is a flexible approach based, in the short term, on undertaking small-scale activities to match the resolve of the local authorities to control drugs. While keeping gender equality a long-term objective, UNDCP is vigorously applying that princip

le in activities at the field level as one of its conditions for cooperation with local authorities.

12. UNDCP took the initiative in encouraging the Taliban to take the first steps towards the elimination of illicit opium poppy cultivation, initially by enforcing a ban on illicit cultivation. The initiatives of UNDCP are supported by the international community. In its resolution 52/211 B, of 19 December 1997, entitled "The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security", the General Assembly commended the efforts of the Executive Director of UNDCP and took note of communications received by UNDCP with regard to the banning of the cultivation and use of and trade in opium in Afghanistan and called for full compliance with those commitments.

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II. REGIONAL AND COUNTRY-LEVEL ACTIVITIES

B. Central and south-west Asia

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2. Activities at the country level

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38. Afghanistan has emerged as the world's largest producer of illicit opium and heroin. The 1997 UNDCP opium poppy survey in Afghanistan showed that the area under cultivation had increased marginally, by 2.8 per cent, to an estimated 58,00 hectares. Opium production, however, had increased by 25 per cent, to an estimated 2,800 tonnes, mainly due to an increased yield per hectare in most provinces. The total value of this production in local prices was estimated at US$9.6 million. In March 1997, UNDCP launched a four-year programme, valued at US$16.3 million, aimed at reducing illicit opium poppy cultivation in four key provinces, reducing drug abuse in the whole country, institution-building, countering illicit drug trafficking and establishing a monitoring cpacity. The target communities and local authorities will be involved in the planning and implementation of activities, and the beneficiaries will be obliged to adhere to a phased ban on opium cultivation. The programme will build up the capacity of th

e provincial and central authorities to undertake drug control activities.

39. UNDCP re-established its presence in Afghanistan, mainly in Kabul, Nanghahar and Kandahar, and is in a position to provide direct support to drug control efforts. UNDCP is encouraging bilateral and multilateral agencies to cooridnate the channelling of their assistance to opium-growing areas and to incorporate drug control elements into their own programmes.

40. UNDCP reached agreement with the Taliban in October 1997 on the priorities and targets to be achived in 1998, as part of its conditionality policy according to which the enforcement of the ban on illicit cultivation of the opium poppy would be conditional to the provision of support to the affected local communities. As an example of the negotiated conditionalities with the Taliban, UNDCP has committed itself to reinstating the substation for electric power and refurbishing the existing wool factory in Kandahar, which went out of operation during the war with the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. UNDCP has succeeded in fully integrating the gender issue into this initiative, which will provide 200 women with employment outside their homes. This commitment to the integration of the gender principle in activities at the field level will be reflected in the programme of activities that UNDCP will initiate in four districts in Helmand, where it has set as a goal the elimination of 14,000 hectares o

f opium poppy by the year 2000. The programme will be launched in 1998, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

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