Qatar pledges to continue supporting regional, international programmes to address global drug problem

Qatar has pledged to continue supporting regional and international programmes to address the world drug problem and related crimes.

In the statement before the 65th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna Sultan bin Salmeen al-Mansouri stressed that Qatar will continue to co-operate with the United Nations Office to build on the legacy of the global programme for the implementation of the Doha Declaration, which is considered a leading model in providing support to countries to address organised crime, drugs, corruption and terrorism, and contribute to the implementation of the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.He stressed that addressing the world drug problem is a public and shared responsibility, and called for it to be addressed in a multilateral framework in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and other provisions of international law, with priority given to providing support to developing countries.Al-Mansouri also noted the generous financial and in-kind assistance provided by Qatar to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the countries most affected by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.In the statement, the envoy reviewed Qatar’s record in combating drugs and maintaining the security and safety of society from this scourge by adopting a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, whether in terms of combating or treating and caring for drug victims, with a focus on prevention activities that are a decisive factor in establishing a society free of drugs and ensuring that every human lives a healthy life in dignity, peace, security and prosperity.Al-Mansouri called for providing more support to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and the International Narcotics Control Board to enhance their essential role in implementing the commitments of the participating countries,He pointed out that Qatar submitted its candidacy for membership of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs for the period 2024-2027, out of its belief in the main role played by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs as a policy-making body in the United Nations in the field of drug control.Qatar is participating in the 65th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, currently being held in Vienna, with a delegation headed by Brigadier-General Ahmed Khalifa Al Kuwari, the director of Anti-Narcotics General Administration at the Qatar Ministry of Interior.