Repairing the 'Machinery' – Part 2: Civil society engagement with the independent review of international drug policy commitments

In March 2025, at the 68th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), a potentially ground-breaking resolution was adopted: Resolution 68/6 entitled “Strengthening the international drug control system: a path to effective implementation”. Tabled by Colombia and supported by a broad cross-regional coalition of Member States, the resolution established a “multidisciplinary panel of 19 independent experts” tasked with reviewing “the existing machinery for the international control of narcotic drugs” and providing recommendations for reforms to strengthen the system and its implementation.

The panel’s review represents a historic opportunity to propose meaningful reforms that advance human rights, social inclusion, social justice, and the health and welfare of humankind.

In May 2025, the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) published an initial advocacy note outlining key considerations for the panel’s creation and functioning, including the importance of independence in setting its agenda, workplan, and methods. This second advocacy note builds on that work, focusing specifically on how the panel can maximise meaningful engagement with civil society, affected communities, academia and youth organisations.

Resolution 68/6 underscores “the important role played by all relevant stakeholders, including… civil society”, and this acknowledgement is now standard language at the CND and across the UN. Crucially, the resolution also includes this important action (emphasis added):

Decides that the panel shall conduct consultations with States and hold consultations via a virtual platform in accordance with the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council, with relevant stakeholders, including civil society, the scientific community, academia, youth groups, the private sector and other pertinent actors.

Now that the panel has been formed, and in the absence of any further instructions or details in the resolution, this advocacy note draws from previous experiences and practices across a variety of UN spaces to outline recommendations for a multi-faceted, inclusive, coordinated and meaningful consultation process that will enhance and inform the panel’s deliberations.