On 19 March 2024, a delegation from the SCO Secretariat headed by SCO Deputy Secretary-General Shukhrat Sobirzoda took part in the 67th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna. Representatives of over 140 countries attended the session.
As part of the session, the eighth joint event themed Summit for the Future – Interlinks between Drugs, Crime, Corruption and Terrorism as a Development Challenge was held on 20 March 2024. This event was organised by the SCO Secretariat and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime with support from the Republic of Kazakhstan, which presides in the SCO in 2023-2024. The event featured addresses by the SCO Deputy Secretary-General and representatives of the SCO member states. Director of the UNODC Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs Jean-Luc Lemahieu also delivered a speech.
Deputy Secretary-General of the SCO Shukhrat Sobirzoda outlined the Organisation's stance on combating drug trafficking, crime, corruption and terrorism, stressing the severe implications of their interconnection for global security and governance. He underscored the SCO’s commitment to further cooperation with the UN and its specialised agencies, including UNODC. He reaffirmed the Organisation’s determination to build a secure and prosperous future through collective endeavours.
Jean-Luc Lemahieu emphasised the links between drug trafficking, crime, corruption and terrorism and focused the audience's attention on the growing threat of synthetic drugs. He expressed UNODC's readiness to actively engage with regional organisations, including the SCO.
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The remarks by heads of delegations of the SCO member states focused on the importance of joint efforts in combating these threats for the benefit of stability and security in the region and the world.
The event was attended by representatives of the SCO member countries, as well as other delegates participating in the 67th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the SCO Secretariat and UNODC was signed on 14 June 2011. Since 2017, a regular joint high-level event between the SCO Secretariat and UNODC, with the support of SCO member states, has been organised during the annual sessions of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs.