As each year, the Pompidou Group is participating in the high-level session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the UN's primary policy-making body on drug-related matters. On the first day of the 64th CND session (12-16 April 2021), António Sales, State Secretary for Health, spoke on behalf of the Portuguese Presidency of the Pompidou Group, focusing on the 50th Anniversary of the Group celebrated in 2021.
“The most important feature of the Anniversary is the expected adoption of a revised statute by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. By strengthening the identity of the Pompidou Group as a Council of Europe entity, including a strong focus on human rights and public health, extending its mandate beyond the field of illicit drugs and fostering synergies with other international organizations and Council of Europe bodies, the new statute will give a reinforced political commitment and open new legal avenues to the Pompidou Group.”
Mr Sales also highlighted the flagship activities of the Pompidou Group, such as the Mediterranean cooperation network on drugs and drug addiction (MedNET), the Executive training course on drug policy and the Criminal justice and prison programme, and other activities that address emerging and crosscutting issues in the drugs field. Among them are the setup of the ‘Save Lives Protect People’ platform contributing to the exchange of practical solutions in service delivery during the Covid-19 crisis, the development of a new tool to self-assess human rights aspects in drug policy development and implementation and the creation of a support network of professionals for improving delivery of addiction treatment for migrants, refugees and internally displaced people.
On the occasion of the 64th CND session, the Pompidou Group organises a side event to mark its 50th anniversary and co-sponsors five side events on topics of drug prevention online, education and social reintegration, stigmatisation of drug use, human rights and drug policy and promoting evidence-based drug policies. The events target national delegations to the CND, policy makers, academics, practitioners, and others interested in the drug policy area.
Read statement of the Portuguese Presidency
Consult side event programme with links for participation