IDPC Special Alert: 66th Session of the CND

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IDPC Special Alert
66th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs
Welcome to the IDPC Special Alert on the upcoming 66th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (13 - 17 March 2023), which will take place under a 'hybrid' (remote & in-person) format. The session's official programme is available here.

Download the CND App!
Updated version available on Friday.

The CND App enables you to navigate and engage with the debates at the CND. This mobile application will help you track, in real time, what is happening and where, receive notifications on key events, resolutions and speakers, and browse CND resolutions and UN-agreed language on specific drug policy issues

For an optimal experience, please download the app from the Apple or Android store. Alternatively, you can access some of the app's functionalities with your browser online. The CND App was developed by IDPC, as part of the Global Partnership on Drug Policies and Development (GPDPD) project.

Please, help us disseminate by sharing with your colleagues and networks.

Participation
Both remote and in-person access to this meeting require prior accreditation and registration. Only NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC can nominate delegates to participate. The process of accreditation is outlined here. Following accreditation, delegates have to register on the INDICO platform, as explained in this guide. Please note the deadline to register is this Wednesday, 8 March 2023.

The Vienna NGO Committee (VNGOC) will hold an NGO Orientation Briefing on Monday, 13 March (9:00 - 10:00 AM) in Room M3, and online via MS Teams (Registration needed).

A 'virtual NGO table' is coordinated by the VNGOC. If you wish to upload documents to it, please send the the PDFs and links to info@vngoc.org. Please note these materials are subject to the Code of Conduct for NGOs

Communications & daily updates

IDPC will provide key updates on the meeting via its Twitter account. You can join and follow the conversation using #CND66 and/or #CND2023.

To receive our daily CND Digest, please write to jfernandez@idpc.net.

As usual, the CND Blog will provide real-time accounts of the proceedings. We are grateful to colleagues from SSDP, Harm Reduction Victoria, and ACEID for their contributions to the Blog.

Video resources

Watch our webinar available in English, French and Spanish sheds light on the points of contention that are likely to structure the debates, tabled resolutions and opportunities for engagement. The webinar also showcases the experience of IDPC members in leveraging this forum for advocacy.

This IDPC video explains how the CND works and suggests avenues for civil society to engage and influence the debate. Please note that aspects of these video may be affected by current COVID-19-related restrictions, so do check out the webinar series for more information on how the hybrid CND will work this year.

Side events

A record-breaking 155 side events are scheduled to take place during the session and most of them will be accessible online. Flyers and access links will be accessible on the official CND page imminently.

Almost 40 of these events are organised by IDPC members. Check them out here.

The IDPC Secretariat co-organises a number of side events that we warmly invite you to join:

Monday, 13 March

Ending gender-based violence against women and gender non-conforming people who use drugs: 13:00 – 13:50 | Hybrid (M0E100) | Flyer | Organised by IWRAW Asia Pacific with the support of Australia, WHRIN, IDPC, EHRA, CELS, IDUCARE.

Tuesday, 14 March

Ensuring human rights protection in Nordic drug policy: 9:10 – 10:00 | In person (M0E07) | Organised by the FHN with the support of Iceland, Norway, IDPC, RIO.
The ineffectiveness of disproportionate sentencing: Towards sensible and people-centred policies: 13:00 – 13:50 | Hybrid (M0E07) | Organised by Instituto RIA AC with the support of Colombia, Elementa DDHH, Dejusticia, ATS, DPA, IDPC and LEAP.
The impact of drug policy on economic, social and cultural rights: Overturning decades of neglect: 14:10 – 15:00 | Hybrid (M0E07) | Flyer | Organised by IDPC, with the support of Colombia, Czechia, Ghana, Norway, Portugal, OHCHR, Amnesty International, Dejusticia, EHRA, HRI, HFHR, INPUD, TNI.

Wednesday, 15 March

It all begins with health: Using a substance use health lens to achieve broad improvements in drug and government policy: 8:00 – 8:50 | In-person (M0E05) | Organised by CCSA with the support of IDPC, Dianova International, RIO, CAPSA.
The efforts of Ghana towards placing health and human rights at the heart of national drug policy: Lessons learned and future opportunities: 9:10 – 10:00 | Hybrid (M3) | Flyer | Organised by Ghana with the support of Czechia, Germany, Nigeria, South Africa, Switzerland, the AU Commission, OHCHR, ICHRDP, IDPC.
Human rights and drugs: What have we learned and where are we heading?: 14:10 – 15:00 | Hybrid (M6) | Flyer | Organised by Czechia with the support of Colombia, Ghana, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, OHCHR, GCDP, IDPC.

Thursday, 16 March

Drug-related detention: Assessing efforts to relieve a crisis in South-East Asia: 8:00 – 8:50 | Hybrid (M7) | Flyer | Organised by Amnesty International with the support of IDPC, LBHM, IDUCARE, TIJ.
Aligning drug policy with environmental protection: 9:10 – 10:00 | In person (M7) | Flyer | Organised by TNI with the support of Brazil, Colombia, GDPO, HPA, IDPC, OSF, Viso Mutop, WOLA.
Mitigating the risks of corporate capture for legal cannabis markets: 9:10 – 10:00 | Flyer | In person (M0E07) | Organised by Transform with the support of IDPC, MUCD, HPA, Norwegian Association for Safer Drug Policies.

Friday, 17 March

Young sex workers who use drugs: Addressing the stigma and need for change: 8:00 – 8:50 | Hybrid (M3) | Flyer | Organised by Youth Rise with the support of the UNAIDS, WHRIN, HRI, INPUD, IDPC, EURONPUD, SSDP International, Dejusticia.
The right to health of people who use drugs: Harm reduction and access to voluntary treatments in a human rights perspective: 8:00 – 8:50 | Hybrid (M7) | Organised by Forum Droghe with the support of IDPC, HRI, EURONPUD, la Società della Ragione, Associazione Luca Coscioni.
Drug policy in Latin America: 9:10 – 10:00 | Hybrid (M0E05) | Flyer | Organised by MUCD with the support of IDPC, LANPUD, Intercambios A.C., Elementa DDHH.
Health and HIV in prisons: Effective strategies to address urgent needs: 13:00 – 13:50 | Hybrid (M7) | Flyer | Organised by PRI with the support of Belgium, Brazil, Czechia, Mexico, Sweden and IDPC.
“Nothing about us without us”: Opportunities to involve youth in drug policy: 13:00 – 13:50 | In person (M3) | Flyer | Organised by SSDP with the support of Australia, Canada, CSSDP, Youth RISE, SSDP Australia, IDPC.
Challenges and opportunities for drug policy reform: 14:10 – 15:00 | Hybrid (M0E07) | Organised by the Brazilian Harm Reduction and Human Rights Network with the support of IDPC, INNPD, PBPD, Drug policy programme/Fiocruz, É de Lei Drop in Centre.

Informal NGO Dialogues

As in previous years, the VNGOC has organised several informal NGO dialogues with representatives from UN bodies:

Delegates from WHO, OHCHR, UNAIDS, UNDP
Tuesday, 14 March, 09:00-10:00, Room: M3 & MS Teams
UNODC Executive Director
Wednesday, 15 March, 11:00-12:00, Room: M3 & MS Teams
CND Chair
Thursday, 16 March, 09:00-10:00, Room: CR-6 & MS Teams
INCB President
Thursday, 16 March, 11:00-12:00, Room: M3 & MS Teams

Relevant links

IDPC's 66th CND Session webpage
Official CND web page
VNGOC website on the 66th Session
The 2022 Drugs “Omnibus” Resolution: The first-ever United Nations vote on drugs places human rights at the centre of international drug policy - IDPC written statement (NGO paper).
The 2022 Commission on Narcotic Drugs - Report of Proceedings – An analysis of last year's meeting that brings the 66th Session into context.
The spectre of article 14: The INCB Report for 2021, regulated cannabis markets and the board’s potential enforcement measures

Recent publication!
Converging universes: 20 years of human rights and drug policy at the United Nations

IDPC highlights how the increasing involvement of UN human rights entities in drug policy debates has paved the way for greater, yet still insufficient, consideration of health, human rights and development.

Resolutions

Five resolutions have been tabled and will be negotiated by Member States. The drafts are available here.

Vienna NGO Committee (VNGOC) Annual General Meeting & Board elections

The VNGOC's Annual General Assembly is scheduled for Thursday, 16 March 2023 at 16:00 (Vienna) at the Vienna International Centre, (Room M-3, M-building 1st floor) and online via Zoom.

The Vienna NGO Committee (VNGOC) will hold elections for the following positions in its Board: 1) Chairperson, 2) Deputy Treasurer, 3) Deputy Secretary. For more information about this process, visit the VNGOC's website.

Please check if your organisation has already paid the 2022 and 2023 membership fees and if not please make sure to settle outstanding fees before Wednesday, 15 March 2023.