A haul of drugs confiscated in Indian waters. — Photo courtesy of ANI

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese Ambassador Vũ Lê Thái Hoàng, in his role as Chair of the Asia-Pacific Group at international organisations and the United Nations in Vienna, has reiterated Việt Nam’s resolve to combat drug challenges, underlining the pivotal role of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the global fight against drug issues.

Leading a Vietnamese inter-sectoral delegation, Hoàng made the pledge at the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Austria from March 10-14, with over 2,000 delegates from 100 UN member states, international and non-governmental organisations attending.

He underscored the essential need for multilateral cooperation to fight drug crimes, particularly through capacity building, technical assistance, and technology transfer for developing countries.

According to the diplomat, regional countries are deeply concerned over the growing links among drug trafficking, organised crime, and other illicit activities such as money laundering, terrorism, and human trafficking, calling for for an integrated, comprehensive, and multi-sectoral response.

All drug prevention and control efforts must align with the UN Charter, international law, and respect national sovereignty, he said.

The Vietnamese delegation attended the main sessions and side events and held a working session with the UNODC to plan future cooperation, alongside representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese Embassy in Austria.

The UNODC is responsible for coordinating global drug policy and strategy, overseeing the implementation of the three international drug control conventions, all of which Việt Nam is a signatory. Held annually, the CND session is the world's largest forum for international cooperation and policymaking in drug prevention and control. — VNS