The Council of Europe International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions (Pompidou Group) participated at the 3rd meeting of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Expert Group on “Enhancing and Strengthening International and Regional Cooperation and Domestic Efforts to Address the Global Synthetic Drug Problem”, organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on 20–21 January in Vienna, Austria.

The meeting brought together experts from member States to share national experiences, exchange good practices, and discuss the growing challenges linked to synthetic drugs aimed at reinforcing national and regional responses.

Discussions covered key issues such as developing and implementing effective legislative and regulatory frameworks, identifying and dismantling clandestine laboratories and using scientific early warning systems to detect new substances and support public health responses.  Participants also addressed the disruption of illicit financial flows linked to synthetic drug trafficking.

Contributions from member States aimed at shaping inputs for the next phase of the UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy, strengthening international co-operation, policy coherence, and coordinated action in addressing the global challenges posed by synthetic drugs.