20 years ago, a group of leading drug policy experts gathered at the UK House of Lords to discuss the need for a global network to promote, coordinate and accelerate policy reform efforts. At this event IDPC was conceived, and it is perhaps fitting that, in our 20th anniversary year, the network grew to more than 200 member organisations from across 75 countries, supported by a Secretariat spanning Ghana, the Netherlands, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

The founders of IDPC had an ambitious mission when they set out: to coalesce civil society and community groups from all over the world to profoundly and positively impact drug policies at the UN, regional and national levels. After two decades, IDPC is a diverse, strongly collaborative network with a credible influential voice in global drug policy debates. Despite recent challenges in the funding and political landscapes, the IDPC network continues to make our voices heard ever louder against a deeply entrenched war on drugs, and together we have irreversibly shifted drug policies and narratives. It is a good moment to take stock of all that has been achieved, but we also know that this work must continue.

This Progress Report highlights the impact of working in solidarity: from another blockbuster year for the Support. Don’t Punish campaign; to the adoption of the strongest drug-related commitments to date at the Human Rights Council; to the co-delivery of the Brandenburg Forum series bringing together governments, UN officials, civil society and communities; to the impactful advocacy work in Asia; and so much more. These achievements are collective, and we would like to especially thank our members, our committed donors, our Board and Members Advisory Council, and the Secretariat team. This report highlights just some of the successes from the previous 12 months, and reflects the hard work, passion and professionalism of the IDPC Secretariat, members and partners.