UNIS/NAR/1477
3 November 2023
VIENNA, 3 November (UN Information Service) – The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has welcomed two new Members, Pierre Lapaque and Dr. Mariângela Simão, elected by the Economic and Social Council to serve on the Board in an independent capacity from among candidates nominated by Member States and the World Health Organization respectively. Elections were held by the Economic and Social Council in July 2023 to fill vacancies on the Board following the passing of Bernard Leroy and the resignation of Richard Mattick.
INCB commenced its 138th session on 30 October with a meeting of its Standing Committee on Estimates, which reviewed national estimated requirements for internationally controlled narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals for medical, scientific and industrial purposes. The INCB Learning programme is building the capacity of governments to improve the accuracy of these estimates, as part of efforts towards improving the availability of medicines containing internationally controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes, including during humanitarian emergencies.
During the current session, which will continue until 17 November, the Board will continue to review implementation of the international drug control conventions and its work to support Governments in achieving the objectives of the convention to safeguard health and welfare. The Board will review the findings of its recent missions to Canada, Cyprus and Uruguay. Country missions are a key element of the Board’s dialogue with Member States aimed at improving treaty implementation, and also provide an opportunity to seek civil society perspectives in the countries visited.
On 9 November, the Board will hold consultations with Member States on operational responses to counter the public threats posed by trafficking in synthetic drugs and their precursors. The outcomes of INCB’s work under its precursors control programme and Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme will be discussed.
During the session, the Board will finalize its 2023 annual report, precursors report and technical publications on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. This year, the Board’s annual report includes a thematic chapter on the role of the Internet, including social media, and consequences for drug trafficking and use.
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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. Established by the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, the thirteen members of the Board are elected in a personal capacity by the Economic and Social Council for terms of five years.
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For further information, please contact:
INCB Secretariat
Telephone for media inquiries: (+43-1) 26060 4163
Email: incb.secretariat[at]un.org
Website: www.incb.org
"On this International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, I call on countries to heed the lessons of past health emergencies to help prepare for the next." — António Guterres
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