Call for Speakers: Civil society participation in CND thematic discussions in October

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Dear Civil Society Representatives,

The UNODC Civil Society Unit, in cooperation with the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC) is pleased to inform NGOs about the upcoming thematic discussions of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), which will take place on 23-25 October 2023, and invites relevant NGOs to express interest to participate as speakers. Deadline for applications is 17 September 2023 at 23:45 CET (Vienna time).

The thematic discussions form part of the comprehensive stock-taking of progress made in implementing all international drug policy commitments to address the challenges identified in the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, that is being conducted by the Commission in preparation of the 2024 Mid-Term Review. The thematic discussions will consist of two intersessional meetings – the first one will take place 23-25 October 2023 and the second one on 4-6 December 2023.

The October meeting will cover the following topics:

23 October:

Morning: Expanding & diversifying range of drugs & drug markets

Afternoon: Illicit abuse, cultivation, production, manufacture of & trafficking in illicit narcotic drugs & psychotropic substances

24 October:

Morning: Links between drug trafficking, corruption & other forms of organized crime

Afternoon: Low value of confiscated proceeds of crime related to money-laundering arising from drug trafficking

25 October:

Morning: Criminal misuse of information & communications technologies

Afternoon: Non-compliance with international drug control conventions & international human rights law

For each topic, up to 3 NGOs will have the possibility to present their work and discuss the progress made. To ensure an inclusive, comprehensive, and meaningful civil society participation, NGO interventions will be coordinated by the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC).

Each speaker will have 3 minutes to present their work on the thematic focus of the day, interventions can be made either in person or online.

Note: Interpretation will not be available during the meetings and all abstracts and statements have to be submitted in English.

To apply for a speaking slot please fill out this online form:

https://forms.office.com/e/XQGM6RSEJF

Deadline for applications is 17 September 2023 at 23:45 CET (Vienna time).

When submitting your application please make sure that your abstract is relevant to the topic of the event, and clearly describes what you will be presenting about. Statements focusing on good practice examples and/or showcasing experiences ‘from the ground’ are especially welcome.

Please share this call with your respective partners and networks to ensure wider participation.

Kind regards,

The UNODC Civil Society Unit

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

Vienna, Austria