Vienna- information office - March 13
The State of Qatar stressed its implementing of a comprehensive, integrated and multidisciplinary strategy in the fight against drugs, in which the enforcement of laws prohibiting the entry of illicit drugs into the country, while ensuring the provision of controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes exclusively, combating money-laundering and preventive measures for immunization of society, with special emphasis on youth and students, as well as treatment of the drug dependence.
This came in a speech delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations (UN) and international organizations in Vienna Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani, to the meetings of the 61st session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna. He pointed out that the economic power of criminal organizations smuggling drugs is growing at a time of increasing and diversifying links to drug trafficking and terrorism, corruption and other forms of organized crime such as money laundering and cybercrime, which calls for redoubling joint efforts to address these threats.
HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani said that the State of Qatar stresses that the world drug problem continues to pose a serious threat to human health, security, safety and well-being, economic, social and political systems and stability in a growing number of states, as well as undermining the pillars of sustainable development. He called for comprehensive international cooperation to counter this threat.
HE Qatar's Permanent Representative to the UN and international organizations in Vienna pointed out the responsibility of all states to find ways of cooperating in an integrated, balanced and comprehensive manner, which is committed to the goals and objectives of the three international drug control conventions, and underlines the synergy and complementarity of the Political Declaration and Plan of Action of 2009, the 2014 Joint Ministerial Statement and the document of the special session of the 2016 UN General Assembly.
HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani called for the implementation of the commitments contained in those instruments and documents in accordance with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and other relevant international conventions, foremost of which is the principle of full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, and the principle of equal rights as well as the respect for the cultural and social particularities of states and territories.
He mentioned that the State of Qatar attached great importance to regional and international cooperation and continued its generous contributions in supporting regional and international drug control programs, including its contribution to the Doha Declaration Global Program, referred to in the report of the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani stressed in his remarks that the State of Qatar is pleased to announce that the projects of the Doha Declaration Global Program are beginning to bear fruit in many countries through the immunization of societies, especially young people from drugs and crime. He called on states to provide support to the UN Office at Vienna for the implementation of its programs and to provide technical assistance to developing countries in order to develop and implement community, family and school programs and strategies for drug prevention.