EU Statement at CND69 after adoption of resolution on promoting integrated and coherent systems of scientific evidence-based drug-related public health responses, 13 March 2026

EU Statement at CND69 after adoption of resolution on promoting integrated and coherent systems of scientific evidence-based drug-related public health responses, 13 March 2026

Mr Chair,

I have the honour to take the floor on behalf of the EU and its Member States.

Let me start by congratulating the sponsors, Finland and Norway, for the adoption of the resolution entitled "Promoting integrated and coherent systems of scientific evidence-based drug-related public health responses" by the Commission today.

The EU is strongly convinced that while we should collectively put a stronger focus on Preparedness and Anticipation of threats to face the very complex world drug situation, we should also put a greater emphasis on Health.

I am pleased to confirm the cosponsorship of this resolution by the EU on behalf of all 27 Member States.

We believe a resolution on public health responses is very timely in the current drugs debate.

Ten years after the Special Session of the General Assembly, this resolution takes stock of the health dimension of the drug policy.
It reminds us that a comprehensive, evidence-based, and balanced approach to drugs policy is most effectively achieved through a public-health approach.

And the fact that drugs policies should always be people-centred, aiming at minimizing the risks and harms of the non-medical use of drugs, to help ensure that everyone can live in health, dignity and peace, including persons who use drugs.

In that regard, the EU and its Member States have three priorities:

• scale up the entire range of public health responses: evidence-based prevention, early intervention, treatment, care, recovery, social reintegration and support services and harm reduction.

• addressing the barriers to the availability of and access to controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes.

• engage all relevant sectors and stakeholders, including civil society, research, community-led organizations and the private sector, to enhance effective collaboration to improve access to care and treatment while ensuring the safe, rational and appropriate use of controlled medicines.

Together with the UNODC, the World Health Organization remains essential in providing normative guidance, technical assistance and capacity-building for the expansion of integrated and coherent systems of scientific evidence-based drug-related public health responses.

I thank you.