For information only - not an official document
UNIS/NAR/1238/Rev.1
4 May 2015
VIENNA, 4 May (UN Information Service) - The 113 th session of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), which opened today in Vienna, will elect from its members the Board's new President and its Bureau. At its current session, which is running until 15 May, the Board will review the compliance of over two hundred countries and territories to the three international drug control treaties.
Through its Standing Committee on Estimates, the Board will examine the requirements of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes and thus continue its work towards ensuring that people have access to the cure and care they need. The Board will also discuss ways to prevent diversion of precursors and latest developments in new psychoactive substances, and start working on its Annual Report for 2015.
Opening the session, the acting President, Werner Sipp, thanked former President and retired Board member Dr. Lochan Naidoo for his leadership and outstanding efforts, acknowledging Dr. Naidoo's commitment to put the well-being of the individual sufferer top of the agenda at all times. Mr Sipp said that "his passion as a deeply committed medical doctor working at the forefront of addiction treatment to recover and rehabilitate young people in South Africa, his home country, was a real asset to the Board".
On behalf of the Board, Mr. Sipp welcomed the Board's five new members, Mr. Wei Hao, Mr. Richard Mattick, Mr. Bernard Leroy, Ms. Jagjit Pavadia and Mr. Jallal Toufiq. Mr Sipp said that "together they bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise in diverse areas of drug control, including epidemiology, research, regulation, treatment and rehabilitation, and legal matters, which will enrich our capacity to monitor and promote the implementation of the treaties and our dialogue with States".
In preparation for the special session of the United Nations General Assembly on the World Drug Problem (UNGASS 2016) in April next year, Mr. Sipp said "the Board will continue its ongoing dialogue with the Chair of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the Chair of the Board charged by the Commission with the preparation of UNGASS 2016 with a view to inform that process on the requirements and scope of the treaties". During the session, the Board also intends to consult with the President and the Bureau of the Economic and Social Council, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS. The Board has therefore invited the heads of these organizations to join the Board on discussions on matters of common concern such as availability and access to medicines containing control substances, and preventing and treating drug abuse.
The Board will also discuss Governments' implementation of I2ES, the Board's new international electronic platform monitoring licit international trade in medicines containing narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and how to encourage Governments to participate in this new system.
The outcome of recent country missions, such as those to Honduras and Timor-Leste, will be reviewed and feedback transmitted to those Governments. Speaking about missions, Mr. Sipp stated that "such country missions are fundamental to conducting the effective dialogue with Governments foreseen in the treaties". The Board was planning further country visits this year and next year and Mr. Sipp urged Governments "to respond rapidly and positively" to such requests by the Board.
Further information on the functions and composition of the International Narcotics Control Board website can be found in www.incb.org
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INCB is the independent, quasi-judicial body charged with promoting and monitoring Government compliance with the three international drug control conventions: the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
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For further information, please contact:
INCB Secretariat
Telephone for media inquiries: (+43-1) 26060 4163
Email: secretariat@incb.org
Website: www.incb.org
