Thailand’s Participation in the 68th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)
H.E. Ms. Pattarat Hongtong, Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Vienna, and the Thai delegation from relevant agencies, led by Police Lieutenant General Phanurat Lukboon, Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), participated in the 68th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) from 10-14 March 2025 at the Vienna International Centre.
CND is one of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) with mandates for drug control and other drug-related matters. It has 53 member states. Thailand has been a member of the CND since 1973.
During the 68th session of the CND, Thailand successfully co-presented with Norway a resolution titled "Promoting research on scientific evidence-based interventions for the treatment and care of stimulant use disorders." The resolution aims to push forward more research on the treatment and care of stimulant use disorders, including methamphetamine, which is a common challenge of many countries in the region and beyond.
On this occasion, Thailand organized a side event titled "Addressing the Methamphetamine Crisis in the Mekong and Beyond”, with speakers from China, Australia, India and UNODC, to exchange views on challenges related to drugs, particularly methamphetamine, in the region. Moreover, Thailand raised awareness among the attendees of the 68th session of the CND on the current situation of the methamphetamine crisis in the Golden Triangle and the way forward through Thailand’s exhibition titled "Methamphetamine Crisis in the Mekong Sub-region."
Furthermore, Thailand co-tabled a resolution titled "Complementing the United Nations Guiding Principles on Alternative Development" with Peru and Germany. This resolution aims to enhance the United Nations Guiding Principles on Alternative Development (UNGP on AD) by making them more comprehensive, particularly concerning the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and current drug-related challenges.
The Thai delegation’s proactive and constructive role during the 68th session of the CND was widely recognized as Thailand worked with likeminded countries to submit two draft resolutions for the adoption of the 68th CND. The resolution on stimulant use disorders helps raise awareness among the global community of the issue of stimulants, including methamphetamine, and calls for more research and further cooperation in treating people with stimulant use disorders. In addition, Thailand was also recognized for sharing its success in alternative development to eliminate illicit crop cultivation through the resolution on alternative development in line with the royal initiatives of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.
