Preparations for an inclusive and meaningful mid-term review of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration in 2024

In March 2019, UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) adopted the ‘Ministerial declaration on strengthening our actions at the national, regional and international levels to accelerate the implementation of our joint commitments to address and counter the world drug problem’, in which they agreed that the CND would conduct a mid-term review of progress made ‘in implementing all our international drug policy commitments’ in 2024, with a final review planned in 2029. In support for this review, a multi-year work plan for the period 2019 to 20232 was established to enable member states to discuss progress made and remaining challenges in drug policy, focusing on the ‘persistent and emerging challenges related to the world drug problem’ identified in the 2019 Ministerial Declaration.

As the 2024 mid-term review is fast approaching, and a resolution will likely be adopted on its modalities at the 66th session of the CND in March 2023, this background paper aims to provide recommendations on the possible format and outcomes for the review. In doing so, we draw from lessons learned and past experiences from the 2014 mid-term review of the 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action on drugs, the 2016 UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on drugs, and the 2019 high-level segment which marked the 10 year review of the 2009 Political Declaration and that led to the adoption of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration.