International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking commemorated by Government of Islamic Republic of Iran and UNODC Iran

The Drug Control Headquarters of Iran (Islamic Republic of) and UNODC Iran jointly held an event on the occasion of the 26th of June International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, and launching of the UNODC World Drug Report 2020.  The resident Ambassadors and diplomats in Tehran, United Nations Resident Coordinator, UNICEF and WHO joined the event to commemorate the occasion of 26th of June.

The opening session was addressed by Alexander Fedulov, UNODC Iran Country Representative. Mr. Fedulov read the statement of the Executive Director of UNODC Ms. Ghada Fathi Waly on the occasion of the 26th of June followed by a presentation of the UNODC’s World Drug Report 2020. The UNODC 2020 theme “Better Knowledge for Better Care” was introduced to the audience, adding that the “Health-centered, rights-based and gender-responsive approaches to drug use and related diseases would deliver better public health”. UNODC is advocating with all countries to show higher commitments during the COVID-19 recovery for better addressing the challenges of drug supply and drug demand, added Alexander Fedulov.

Mr. Mohsen Baharvand, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Legal and International Affairs addressed the event underlining the commitment of Iran to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction initiatives in addressing the drug challenge in the country. UNODC was mentioned as a reliable and effective partner with Iran in tackling the menace of drugs and drug trafficking. International community members present in the event were asked to upgrade the level of cooperation and funding to Iran and UNODC country programme based on the principle of common and shared responsibility.

Ambassador Stefan Scholtz of Austria in Tehran commended the Iranian efforts in seizing high volumes of drugs as a barrier against trafficking of drugs from the region to the Europe and Austria. UNODC Iran cooperation with Iran and implementation of successful initiatives on drugs is appreciated by the Mini Dublin Group members in Iran. The recent cooperation of UNODC with Iran in opening of a Regional Center of excellence for drug treatment purposes at the Iranian national center for Addiction studies (INCAS) is a welcoming gesture by the Austrian government.

Mr. Eskandar Momeni, Secretary General of Drug Control Headquarters welcomed the participation and interest of the delegates of resident Embassies in Tehran, UN Resident Coordinator and UN agencies as a positive sign for expanding drug control cooperation with Iran. A special tribute was conveyed to UNODC Iran for joining DCHQ in holding the 26th of June event. Iran highly appreciates such level of commitment and cooperation from UNODC and international community during the COVID19 pandemic situation, added Mr. Momeni. He added that the UNODC’s 2020 theme of “Better Knowledge for Better Care” is an excellent motto which is in line with Iranian government efforts in tackling the challenges of drug and drug use. The Iranian Government aim is to work with its neighbours and international community for reduction of opiates production at the source, and reduction in number of drug users in the country so that the UN Sustainable Development Goals would be materialized. 

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For more information you can contact:

Mr. Kaveh Moradi

Senior Programme Manager,

UNODC Iran

Tel.: +98 21 88 87 83 77,

Email: kaveh.moradi@un.org