Thailand chairs drugs commission in Vienna

Arthayudh Srisamoot, Thailand’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations Office in Vienna, will chair this year’s session, which opened yesterday and will run until March 17.
Of particular concern this year is whether to put ketamine – known in Thailand as “ya K” – under international control, Arthayudh said.
This drug or chemical is used as an anaesthetic in many developing nations. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also recommended several other substances to be put under international control, but they might have economic uses in the industrial sector.
“The important thing is to strike a balance between the regulatory framework, which also relates to addressing widespread drug abuse and criminal aspects, and taking care of the human dimension,” he said.
The CND is a central policy-making body within the UN dealing with illicit drugs as well as the governing body for work done by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Top counter-narcotics officials and experts from around the world, including from countries like Afghanistan and Colombia, which are considered major narcotics producers, will participate in the latest CND session as well as 64 events on the sidelines, including two from Thailand in relation to alternative development.
Thailand, which has major concerns about illicit drugs, has played a key role in the UN anti-narcotics agency for years.
Under the guidance of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the former ambassador to Austria and permanent representative to the UN Office in Vienna, Thailand initiated five draft resolutions that were successfully adopted by the CND and the UN General Assembly, Arthayudh said. These resolutions focus on the adoption and promotion of the “UN Guiding Principles on Alternative Development”; prevention of drug abuse for the well-being of children, youth, families and communities; and cooperation to counter the drug problem in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, he said.
For the first time in many years, the commission will exercise its treaty-based function of considering substances to be put under international control.
The 53 member states of the CND, including Thailand, will take action on 13 substances recommended by states and the WHO, with the aim of striking a balance between preventing drug abuse, while ensuring availability for medical and scientific use, he said.
More than 1,500 participants from UN members, relevant UN entities, international organisations, academia and civil-society organisations attend the CND session each year to review the world drug situation and discuss strategies on combating illicit drugs.