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| US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers opening remarks at the Conference. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
This is the first conference organized at the initiative of the US Secretary of State to promote discussion, information sharing and promote cooperation and coordinated action to respond to the threat from synthetic drugs that is currently emerging in many regions of the world.
The conference was attended by leaders of more than 70 countries, including 4 Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers, 40 Foreign Ministers and leaders of major international organizations such as the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Customs Organization (WCO), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The conference was held in the context of the increasingly complicated drug situation in the world; especially with the production, sale, transportation and use of synthetic drugs and psychotropic substances occurring seriously in many places.
Among them, Asia and Southeast Asia continue to be the world's leading markets for synthetic drugs and new psychotropic substances, with two regions considered to be among the world's major drug production centers: the "Golden Crescent" (located between Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan) and the "Golden Triangle" (located between Myanmar, Laos, Thailand).
At the conference, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed that drugs are a problem that threatens the lives and future of millions of Americans; combating drugs is a high priority of the Joe Biden administration with many strong measures, including the newly issued Drug Control Strategy.
However, drugs are always a serious challenge to global security and health that no country can solve on its own. On this occasion, the United States proposed the establishment of a Global Alliance to respond to the threat from synthetic drugs.
The United States will discuss with participating countries in the Alliance on priorities and specific measures in this work, and partners can also participate in working groups to find new solutions and strengthen national efforts to prevent and combat synthetic drugs.
Secretary of State Blinken also highlighted the role of businesses, hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry, local communities and social organizations in this work.
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| Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son speaks at the Conference. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Speaking at the Conference, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son shared the common concerns of the international community about the threat from synthetic drugs, emphasizing the need to promote international cooperation in the spirit of respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs with comprehensive measures and a comprehensive approach, handling issues related to drug supply and demand.
At the same time, the Minister emphasized that the joint efforts of the international community need to support the effective implementation of the three core drug conventions and further strengthen the role of the United Nations Narcotics Control Commission (CND).
Minister Bui Thanh Son suggested that the international community should pay more attention to increasing support for developing countries in terms of information sharing, capacity building, resources, and technology, and said that to solve the drug problem in a sustainable manner, it is necessary to strengthen measures to eliminate hunger, reduce poverty, improve education, and create jobs, especially for young people.
The Minister also shared the efforts of Vietnam and ASEAN to strive for a drug-free environment, affirming support for international efforts to create more motivation and mobilize more resources for the fight against drugs at the national, regional and international levels.
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| The Minister emphasized that the joint efforts of the international community need to support the effective implementation of the three core drug conventions. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Ministers, delegates from countries and international organizations attending the Conference expressed deep concern about criminal activities of drug production, transportation and trafficking and the negative impact of drug substances on public health and social security.
Many opinions clearly point out the relationship between the crime of producing and illegally trading synthetic drugs and other security risks such as money laundering, terrorist financing, arms trafficking and armed conflicts in some regions of the world. At the same time, the challenges that the problem of synthetic drugs poses to sustainable development such as hunger eradication, poverty reduction, education and employment are also of concern.
The speeches at the Conference also identified that youth and the younger generation are the group most vulnerable to the effects of synthetic drugs in society, and need special attention to move towards a healthy lifestyle.
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| Representatives of Vietnamese agencies attending the Conference. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Delegates affirmed that they will coordinate actions at the national, regional and international levels in drug prevention and control, based on a comprehensive, holistic and balanced approach based on science and transparent information; and a reasonable balance between supply reduction and demand reduction strategies and training programs, technical assistance and information sharing.
Countries also highlighted the role and capacity for technical support and expert experience of existing international drug control mechanisms such as the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).
In Vietnam, the rate of synthetic drug use accounts for about 70-80% of drug addicts. The illegal use of synthetic drugs has affected the health and psychology of addicts, leading to mental disorders, loss of behavioral control, causing murder, intentional injury, traffic accidents, causing particularly serious consequences and loss of security and order, and social unrest in many localities. Vietnam always gives high priority to the prevention and control of drug crimes with active national measures, coupled with international and regional cooperation; implementing many policies and solutions to mobilize all levels, sectors and the entire population to participate in preventing and fighting against all types of crimes and social evils, gradually controlling and reducing crimes, making an important contribution to ensuring national security, maintaining social order and safety, effectively serving the cause of socio-economic development of the country. Vietnam always actively cooperates with drug prevention agencies of other countries and UN organizations, including the UN Commission on Narcotics Control (CND) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). |
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