Development (SDGs +)

Publications25 September 2025

Development dimensions of drug policy: Assessing new challenges, uncovering opportunities, and addressing emerging issues

UNDP charts a rights- and development-centred turn in drug policy, prioritising decriminalisation, harm reduction, equity-led transitions, and practical pathways to responsibly regulate some drug markets.

Publications17 June 2025

High-level panel on a resilient and fit-for-purpose UNAIDS joint programme in the context of the sustainability of the HIV response

A new UNAIDS–ILO report lays out urgent reforms in relation to the Joint Programme's management, warning of resurgence risks without stronger country leadership, civil society involvement, domestic investment, and forecasting the pandemic's progress.

Publications17 June 2025

WHO guideline on balanced national controlled medicines policies to ensure medical access and safety: rapid communication

Published 14 May 2025, WHO’s new guidance calls for bold, balanced drug policies that ensure fair access to controlled medicines. It updates 2011 rules with sharper focus on equity, harm reduction, pricing, regulation, and education - anchored in health rights and transparency.

Publications12 February 2025

9th Brandenburg Forum on Drugs and Development Policies report - 'Boosting transformative change in global drug policies: Promoting human-centred approaches to cocaine markets and beyond'

The Forum addressed transformative strategies for global drug policies, emphasizing human-centered approaches, harm reduction, and sustainable development.

Publications11 September 2024

Harm reduction for sustainable peace and development - Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health

The UNSR on the right to health highlights global harm reduction practices, urging states to abandon punitive approaches to safeguard marginalised populations' rights for sustainable peace and development.

Publications4 December 2023

8th Brandenburg Forum on Drugs and Development Policies report - 'The way forward to 2029: Accelerating progress in global drug policies'

The Forum addressed development, public health, human rights, and emerging trends in drug policies, with recommendations on decriminalisation, human rights and building support for change.

Events

Beyond prohibition: Unpacking the connection between drug policies and sustainable development priorities

New York / Online

19 September 2023

This side event at the 2023 SDG summit underscores that without a major reframing of the 'world drug problem' and a focus on sustainable development priorities, there is a risk of falling short of achieving the 2030 Agenda.

News5 April 2023

Current perspectives on drug policy - Short course

Throughout this three-day immersive course, you will examine how drug control policies impact sustainable development and how it closely relates with public health and human rights.

News5 April 2023

With Russia’s grip on UN Vienna weakening, a different debate on drug policies is possible

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has contributed to a turning tide for a more progressive and human-rights-based approach to global drug policy.

Publications1 February 2023

7th Brandenburg Forum on Drugs and Development Policies report

The Forum reunited government, UN and civil society experts to discuss development, health and human rights challenges in relation to drug control ahead of the 2024 mid-term review of implementation of the 2019 Political Declaration.

News16 January 2023

‘This is another revolution’: Could legalisation of cannabis transform Mexico’s economy?

Growers demand a legally-regulated market that prioritises experienced rural farmers over foreign capital.

Publications2 August 2022

Prohibited plants: Environmental justice in drug policy

TNI examines the drugs-environment nexus, its implication for rural working people, and critically interrogates drug policy and development responses to it.

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