The Council of Europe International Co-operation Group on Drugs and Addictions organised a side event titled “Balancing human rights considerations in public health and safety”,  which took place on 10 March 2026 at the Vienna International Centre and online, as part of the 69th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). The Council of Europe event was supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Drugs, Laboratory and Scientific Services Branch, along with the support of member States such as Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Greece, Malta, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland and Observers – the European Union and the World Health Organization (WHO). The event, held in a hybrid format, welcomed more than 70 participants.

Experts from three Group member States – Austria, Greece and Switzerland – as well as UNODC and the WHO shared the latest practices and experiences and fostered open discussions on road mapping and addressing challenges in developing drug and addiction policies that uphold human rights and protect public health, while ensuring health and public security. The CND week and its discussions offered opportunities to review progress, exchange ideas and consider emerging challenges, by sharing a range of the latest perspectives.

More information:

• Event page
• Side events co-organised by the Pompidou Group