Shared principles
Reiterating our strong commitment to supporting Member States in developing and implementing truly balanced, comprehensive, integrated, evidence-based, human rights-based, development-oriented and sustainable responses to the world drug problem, within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we, the members of the United Nations system, underlining the importance of the following common values:
• Commit to supporting the practical implementation of the outcome document of the special session of the General Assembly on the world drug problem, held in April 2016, General Assembly resolution S-30/1, entitled “Our joint commitment to effectively addressing and countering the world drug problem”, as a blueprint for action, charting a path that promotes more effective and humane drug control policies, supporting the commitment made in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals to leave no one behind;
• Recognize that the world drug problem is complex and multifaceted and that challenges posed by drugs have wide-ranging adverse impacts on security, human rights and development;
• Underscore that the multifaceted nature of the problem requires a comprehensive approach that includes law enforcement efforts ensuring people’s security and efforts promoting health, human rights, including equality and non-discrimination, and sustainable development;
• Commit to promoting a truly evidence-based and balanced approach, whereby sufficient attention is given to measures that address the root causes of drug abuse and cultivation and other involvement in the drug trade;
• Acknowledge that we have a common and shared responsibility to work together, in particular through the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, to pursue a coordinated, balanced and comprehensive approach leading to evidence -based and sustainable solutions;
• Recognize that the concern for the health and welfare of humankind underpins the three international drug control conventions, which, together with other relevant international instruments, are the cornerstone of the international drug control system;
• Acknowledge that the conventions allow for sufficient flexibility for countries to design and implement national drug policies according to their priorities and needs, consistent with the principle of common and shared responsibility and applicable international law;
• Acknowledge that the international drug control conventions, international human rights treaties and other relevant instruments and the 2030 Agenda are complementary and mutually reinforcing. National drug control programmes, strategies and policies should be designed and implemented by States in accordance with their human rights obligations.