For information only - not an official document 

UNIS/MA/135
9 March 2016

MEDIA ADVISORY

Journalists invited to cover 59th session of the CND, including special UNGASS 2016 segment

VIENNA, 9 March (UN Information Service) - Journalists are invited to cover the 59th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), to be held between 14 and 22 March in Vienna, Austria.

This year, the 59th Session begins with a three-day segment (14-16 March) dedicated to preparations for the UN General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem (UNGASS), to be held between 19 and 21 April 2016 in New York. 

Seventy-four side events are also planned for the 59th Session. Topics of the side events range from legislative responses to new psychoactive substances, to addressing Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS as a public health priority, and from alternative livelihoods to the use of the Darknet for drug trafficking.

The 59th Session brings together more than 1,500 high-level speakers from Member States, parliaments, inter-governmental organizations, civil society and the private sector.

Journalists are invited to attend plenary meetings, the side-events and exhibitions. Media representatives may use the M-Building, MOE Press Room as a "working room" (between 14 and 21 March), as well as the press gallery in the M-building. Member States will make transcriptions and statements available to journalists at their own discretion.

Media accreditation:

Media representatives who wish to cover the 59th Session of the CND, and who are not accredited to the Vienna International Centre, should email press@unvienna.org for accreditation.

Further information, including a programme of side events can be found at:
https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/commissions/CND/session/59_Session_2016/CND-59-Session_Index.html

For further details on UNGASS 2016 go to: http://www.unodc.org/ungass2016/

Join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #UNGASS2016 and follow @UNODC and @YuryFedotov for updates.

For further information please contact:

David Dadge
Spokesperson, UNODC
Telephone: (+43- 1) 26060-5629
Mobile: (+43) 699-1459-5629
Email: david.dadge[at]unvienna.org

or

Reka Furtos
Public Information Officer, UNIS Vienna
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-83019
Mobile: (+43-699) 1458-3019
Email: reka.furtos[at]unvienna.org