UNGASS Review process

In 1998 the UN General Assembly convened a Special Session on the World Drug Problem devoted to assessing the existing situation with a view to strengthening international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations Conventions on Drugs. The 1998 UNGASS considered the fight against the illicit production, sale, demand, traffic and distribution of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and related activities, and proposed strategies, methods, practical activities and special measures to strengthen international cooperation in addressing the problem of illicit drugs

It endorsed a number of important documents:

• Political Decleration

• Decleration of the Guiding Principles of Drug Demand Reduction

• Measures to Enhance International Cooperation to Counter the Wrold Drug Problem

  • Action Plan Against Illicit Manufacture, trafficking and Abuse of Amphetamine Type Stimulants and their Precursors

  • Control of Precursors

  • Measures to Promote Judical Cooperation

  • Countering Money Laundering

  • Action Plan on International Cooperation on the Eradication of Illicit Drug Crops and on Alternative Development

The 2008 Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) was designated as the point to review progress made in international drug control in the 10 years since the Political Declaration of the 1998 UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs (UNGASS) called for the eradication or significant reduction of the cultivation, supply and demand of illicit drugs. The UNODC Executive Director report Making drug control 'fit for purpose': Building on the UNGASS decade, prepared for the 2008 CND meeting, provides an overview of the status of progress since 1998 and reflections for the future.

The full report of the 51st Meeting of the CND and draft resolutions is available here.

More information on the proceedings, resolutions, statements and debates held at the 2008 CND meeting are available from the following organizations:

• International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC)

• International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) and specifically the IHRA blog

• Transnational Institute (TNI) and specifically the TNI UNGASS blog

At the 2008 CND meeting, a two-day Thematic Debate was held to discuss the UNGASS review process and a year long ‘period of global reflection’ was launched. This will lead to a Ministerial Segment at the CND in 2009 where the future direction of international drug policy will be discussed.