Qatar has stressed on giving priority to assisting developing countries in order to achieve the goals of sustainable development, as they are the key to political and social stability. It called for rapid and effective international action to protect people and future generations from drugs.
This came during the statement of Qatar delivered by Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Organizations in Vienna HE Sultan bin Salmeen Al Mansouri before the 66th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).
Al Mansouri said Qatar is proud to continue its active role in multilateral international action in various development and humanitarian fields and upholding the values and principles of cooperation, partnership and solidarity in helping countries, peoples and societies suffering from economic crises, conflicts, poverty and debt.
He affirmed that Qatar has provided many humanitarian and development contributions, especially in the framework of strategic partnerships with the United Nations and other leading international institutions, adding that the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), which was hosted by Qatar last week, is the latest example of these efforts, where Qatar donated USD 60 million to support the Doha Program of Action and build capacity in the least developed countries.
He touched on the efforts made at the national level, he stated that Qatar has given priority to prevention efforts, immunizing society and educating it on the harm and dangers of drugs, and this was one of the most important factors for the success of its policy in the field of prevention and drug control, in addition to law enforcement efforts, monitoring of Qatari air and sea ports, and strict application of the law while updating Qatari national legislation in a way that allows responding to changes in drug trafficking patterns and new methods of drug smuggling, while preserving the principles of the Qatari constitution and with full respect for human rights.
Al Mansouri discussed what was stated in the World Drug Report 2022, which is the first report after the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said, in this regard, that the report presented a bleak picture of the drug situation in the world, as cocaine production reached a record high level.
Seizures of synthetic drugs have also increased dramatically, and markets for these drugs are expanding into new areas. More young people are taking drugs than previous generations, while people who need treatment are unable to get it, especially women.
The statement called for rapid and effective international action to protect peoples and future generations from drugs, in accordance with the principle of public and shared responsibility and according to the mechanisms of international pluralism, including the United Nations bodies concerned with sustainable development, and based on the three international conventions on drugs, political declarations, and approved action plans, starting with the 2009 Declaration.
He notes that the decision to legalize cannabis use in some countries has had wide-ranging implications for public health, the rule of law and public safety, which requires further monitoring of the consequences of this decision.
Al Mansouri stressed that the failure of sustainable development efforts is necessarily reflected in efforts to combat drugs, which requires extending international aid to the peoples and societies affected by this scourge.
