What is an UNGASS? General Assembly Highest policy-making and representative organ of the UN Special Sessions Can be called by a majority of Member States or the Security Council 2002 Children 2001 HIV 2000 Millennium Summit (MDGs) 1999 Population & Development 1998 World Drug Problem 1990 Drug abuse 1947 Palestine

Urgent debate requested by the Presidents of Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia Supported by 95 UN member states In the context of increasing calls for drug policy reform and debate The 2016 UNGASS

An opportunity…. “I urge Member States to use these opportunities to conduct a wide- ranging and open debate that considers all options.” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon 26th June 2013

(Selected) Areas of Contention: People who use drugs should not be criminalised Harm reduction: explicit reference and expand the definition Proportionality of sentences – no more death penalty Ensuring access to essential medicines

IDPC’s Five ‘Asks’ for the UNGASS 1.Ensure an open debate 2.Reset the objectives of drug policies 3.Support ‘new’ approaches 4.End the criminalisation of drug users –Ensure proportionate penalties –End the death penalty 5.Commit to harm reduction –Redirect funding

What is happening now?… Drafting the UNGASS Outcome Document –First draft released – bad news –Debate: finalise in New York Civil Society Engagement: –Informal Interactive Stakeholder Consultation on 10th February 2016, New York –Each UNGASS roundtables will have one civil society representative on the panel

How to engage… Follow the debate: / Join the VNGOC / NYNGOC / EHRN Raise awareness, build alliances at national/regional level Find out who attends the debates from your country Speak to your governments / local UN officials Define your ‘asks’ and your targets

Contact: Jamie Bridge at IDPC