In one of her first tweets after assuming the presidency, Ms Pavadia stressed that drug control measures must respect human rights – a welcome statement that follows the INCB’s new emphasis on human rights, already assumed by her predecessor, Mr Cornelis de Joncheere.

IDPC provides an overview of INCB activities over the past quarter.

Stark contrasts are emerging in the global community on how to address the legality of cannabis, as the INCB meets with Filipino and Uruguayan drug control representatives.

The INCB calls on States to adopt and pursue drug control policies that respect and protect human rights and that are consistent with international human rights instruments

In clear contrast to the CND and the UNODC, in the last ten years the INCB has played an increasing role in the efforts to integrate international drug control, and the human rights systems.

The INCB holds three sessions a year, typically in February, May, and November of each year. The dates and agenda of each session can be consulted here.

The INCB's annual report analyses the state of the global drug control regime and makes recommendations to member states, including on better aligning drug policy and human rights.

Submissions for civil society organisations to present at the INCB hearing 2020 are already open.

INCB continued to advocate for improved access to [at least some] controlled medicines over the last quarter of 2019.

The delegation met with the representatives of Kosovo agencies involved in pharmaceutical regulation; the administration of justice, including prosecutorial services and the judiciary; law-enforcement, customs and forensics; and public health, addiction treatment and rehabilitation.

The positive and non-stigmatising tone and language of this year’s statement contrasts with those made in previous years.

On extrajudicial killings, the Board has provided its most categorical remarks to date.

If you know any civil society organisation active in the field of drugs in these countries, please let the VNGOC know as soon as possible, but no later than 16 July 2019.

The issue of the medical use of cannabis is one in which the Board has failed to match the progress it has made in certain other areas, such as the death penalty. Its position on the therapeutic applications of cannabis remains as it was at the close of the UNGASS decade; indeed, if anything, it…

The INCB has asked the VNGOC for suggestions of suitable civil society organisations to meet during their upcoming mission to Austria in mid June 2019. Apply before 5th June!

Mr de Joncheere is a Dutch citizen and has expertise in pharmacy and health sciences. He was previously Director of the Department of Essential Medicines and Health Products at the World Health Organization.

As part of its recently concluded 125th Session in May 2019, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) invited civil society to a special ‘hearing’ on the topic of young people and drugs – which will be the thematic focus for the Board’s 2019 Annual Report.

The INCB's participation at CND showed how far the Board has come in terms of supporting human rights norms in the pursuit of drug control obligations, but the Board's outdated inflexibility on cannabis is regrettable.

At the 2019 Session, 12th & 13th Meetings (AM & PM) of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), some new members of the INCB were elected.

The hearing will be on the topic of "Young People and Drugs" and will take place on May 8 2019, 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. in Vienna, Austria.