26-27 March, 1997

INTRODUCTORY NOTE BY MR.GIORGIO GIACOMELLI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF UNDCP

A. Introduction

In my introductory statement to the recently concluded regular segment of the Commission, I referred to the importance of the Special Session as a means to galvanize the support of the international community and strengthen its commitment for drug control.

The Commission is today holding its first meeting as the preparatory body and is expected to meet again in 1998 during the forty-first session of the Commission. It is important for all of us to have a common understanding of the role foreseen for the Commission by the General Assembly.

The Assembly decided that the sessions of the Commission, as preparatory body for the special session, should be open ended, allowing for the full participation of all States members of the United Nations and of specialized agencies and observers in accordance with established practice.

B.Decisions regarding substantive preparation

The main challenge facing the Commission, AS PREPARATORY BODY, is to identify and organize the SUBSTANTIVE WORK that must be completed in just about one year to ensure the success of the Special Session.

The General Assembly in its resolution 51/64, pragraphs 2, 3, 11 and 12 clearly spells out the mandate given to the Special Session, which befalls on the Commission as its preparatory body.

FIRST, IN PRAGRAPH 2, the Assembly indicated that the Special Session should propose new strategies, methods, practical activities and specific measures to strengthen international cooperation in addressing the problem of illicit drugs.

SECOND, IN PARAGRAPH 3, of the resolution, the Assembly stressed that the Special Session, should be devoted to assessing the existing situation within the framework of a comprehensive and balanced approach that includes all aspects of the problem, within the framework of the international drug control conventions.

THIRD, IN PARAGRAPH 11, the Assembly further expand the objectives of the Special Session by deciding that it should consider 7 issues identified in that paragraph.

FOURTH, IN PARAGRAPH 12, the Assembly decided that the Special Session should review progress made in implementing the Global Programme of Action.

WHILE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS GIVEN THE SPECIAL SESSION THE MANDATE TO CONSIDER A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF ISSUES, IT APPEARS IN FACT THAT THE INTENT IS TO FOCUS ON THOSE SPECIFIC ISSUES WHICH HAVE BECOME THE PRIMARY CONCERNS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SINCE THE ADOPTION OF THE CMO IN 1987, OR THE 1988 CONVENTION AND THE GLOBAL PROGRAMME OF ACTION IN 1990.

C. Concluding remarks

We should all work together, in a spirit of shared responsibility, in order to make the Special Session a landmark in furthering international cooperation in the field of drug control. We have a difficult task. The time-frame is very tight and the General Assembly has identified a wide scope of issues to be addressed.

I hope that we will be able to conclude our meeting this week, at least, with agreement on specific tasks to be undertaken, a celendar of consultations with clearly identified dates and deadlines, to guide Member States and the Secretariat in the preparation for the Special Session.

Despite the challenge we face, I was heartened by the strong support expressed for the Special Session at the Commission and the desire to make it a success. I share your views that the international community must seize this historical occasion to collectively shape our strategy for the twenty-first century and provide the means for its implementation. Indeed, the 1998 Special Session should be seen as an opportunity: (I) to revisit the drug control treaties and the Global Programme of Action with a view to strengthening our legal arsenal, (II) to take stock of what has been achieved by the international community,

(III) to express a firm commitment to carry out concerted multilateral action, (IV) to mobilize and forge strong partenrships with all actors of civil society, particularly NGOs; (V) to address the prominently emerging threats, such as those emanating from the illicit traffic and abuse of stimulants, precursor control, and money laundering, and (VI) to confirm the high priority assigned by States to international drug control, and to decide to allocate the resources required, both at the national and international levels, to address the problem in a credible manner.

The General Assembly has also indicated that the specialized agencies should participate fully in the delibarations of the Commission as the preparatory body. I have tha pleasure to inform you that UNDCP has held consultations with the concerned specialized agencies and that I will raise this matter at the forthcoming meeting of ACC in which I participate.

On several occasions, such as the 50th anniversary celebration, the recent General Assembly sessions, and at the High-Level Segment of ECOSOC in June last year, a large number of heads of State or Governments, or their representatives, have expressed their determination and political will to address the drug problem as a matter of very high priority, adding a new dimension to their concern; that of a serious threat to the security of States and of their institutions.

This renovated commitment was underscored by the decision of the General Assembly to convene the 1998 Special Session, and most importantly, its decision to include international drug control among the top priorities of the Organization for the next medium term plan.

The Special Session should accordingly come up with concrete proposals backed by the strong commitment of Governments to further international cooperation in dealing with the drug problem.

UNDCP looks forward to working with you in translating this momentum into a forward-looking strategy which will guide our work into the twenty-first century. Of equal importance is the responsibility to provide the strong commitment and the resources, both at the national and international levels, to translate into concrete action the decisions that the Special Session will adopt.