Statement By H.E. Kazem Gharibabadi The CND Special Event: “Commemorating the UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and llicit Trafficking and Launc
Statement By H.E. Kazem Gharibabadi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran To The United Nations
And Other International Organizations in Vienna , The CND Special Event: “Commemorating the UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and Launch of the World Drug Report 2020
Friday, 26th June 2020
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Mr. Chairperson,
Allow me to begin my statement with thanking the Executive Director of UNODC and her team for their hard work in the course of preparation of the World Drug Report 2020.
After thirty years of the decision of the UN General Assembly to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, we again have been gathering to commemorate the Day and to communicate the massage of commitment of the world community on drug control challenges.
Regretfully, despite measures taken by international community, our world is still facing increasing drug related challenges: drug use around the world especially in developing countries has been on the rise, cultivation and production of opiates and psychotropic substances are going on with accelerated rate, and drug abuse and illicit trafficking continue to have a profoundly negative impact on development and stability across the world.
We believe that, the only way to overcome these challenges is promoting international cooperation and concerted support as well as enhancing national and regional efforts. A balanced approach based on international drug control conventions should be the guideline for all measures at national, regional and international levels. It should be notified that any approach aimed at decriminalization and legalization of narcotic drugs undermines the international efforts to have a world free of drug abuse.
Mr. Chairperson,
In the past four decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has borne irreparable human and financial losses to counter supply and reduce demand.
In the last Iranian calendar year (march 2019-march 2020) the Islamic Republic of Iran has dedicated 30 martyrs and wounded persons in the course of 2319 operations and armed confrontations, dismantling 1886 active local and international networks and seizing more than 950 tons of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances of various types including 47 tons of heroin and morphine and 17 tons of methamphetamine. These figures indicate close to 20 percent growth in amount of seizures, an unprecedented achievement in the history of the struggle in the country and the world.
It is noteworthy that for the consecutive years in row, the largest amounts of different types of drugs seized globally belongs to the Islamic Republic of Iran, while the country has been under the US illegal and illegitimate unilateral sanctions and has not enjoyed international assistance appropriately .
It is expected from the member states and UNODC and other relevant international bodies to acknowledge the comprehensive and effective national campaign of the Islamic Republic of Iran in countering and addressing the world drug problem in a way that adequate international support is provided and necessary solidarity shown.
Mr. Chairperson,
In line with its balanced strategy, the Islamic republic of Iran while conducting a smart fight against the drug mafia has put on its agenda drug demand reduction plans and policies aimed at minimising the negative consequences of drug abuse as well as promoting public health and creation of a society free from drug abuse.
In this context, more than 1.6 million received social support, treatment and harms reduction services at more than 9000 centers also as the outcome of an agreement between the UNODC and the Iranian Drug Control Headquarters, the Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS) in Tehran was officially designated as the "Regional Capacity Building and Research Centre" on 18 December 2019. The Centre will promote evidence-based treatment of drug use disorders and improve public health and public safety and ensure delivering training and promoting research in the region in close partnership with other similar drug treatment and addiction research institutions.
Mr. Chairperson,
I would like to conclude my remarks by emphasizing the following points which effectively strengthen the global campaign against illicit drugs:
- Implementing development projects and prioritize alternative livelihood programmes in target countries;
- Removing all obstacles including unilateral coercive measures which disrupt the international campaign against illicit drugs and diminish the capacities of leading countries in this regard;
- Providing equipments and technical assistance as well as transferring advanced technologies aimed at a more effective fight against illicit flow of narcotic drugs;
- Blocking the entry of drug related illicit proceeds into international financial systems;
- Sharing experiences in the field of demand reduction;
- Supporting for UNODC programs and initiatives in the field of border control management and intelligence-sharing.
I thank you Mr. Chairperson,