New York / April 22, 2016 / Qatar reaffirmed its commitment to its obligations to continue to cooperate to ensure access to the results of a process to combat the drug problem, as well as to continue its efforts on the bilateral and international level and through its membership in the United Nations Commission on Drugs and Crime, to address this dangerous phenomenon.

This came in a statement delivered by the State of Qatar, which Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations before the general debate session at the special session of the General Assembly on the world drug problem.

She also expressed appreciation for the pivotal role of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs as an organ of the United Nations, President-designate the fight against drugs, calling at the same time to strengthen the role and capabilities in providing technical support to Member States.

The statement said that the State of Qatar is continuing its efforts at the regional and international levels to counter drug crime, in the field of information exchange, capacity building and legal assistance and support joint investigations to combat this scourge, as well as providing security and stability of society and protect it from the risk through preventive programs to immunize the society, especially the youth category through education, awareness and warning of falling into the clutches of this dangerous scourge that threatens the health of members of the community and is working hard to combat the spread.

The statement that the Doha Declaration, adopted by the Thirteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, hosted by the State of Qatar in April 2015, has formed an advanced step towards the criminal justice and the establishment of national communities and secure an international society governed by the rule of law.

She drew Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, that the drug problem is among the most important challenges facing the world, pointing out the disastrous effects of drug abuse and illicit trafficking on the social and economic stability and sustainable development, and national security of the state and the rule of law.

She said in this context. "It also represents a real threat to public health, especially children and young people, which requires additional efforts, and to strengthen cooperation and coordination in the face of this dangerous scourge, as the environment in which these activities are exercised, enables the perpetrators of impunity, It sends the souls of great concern, and undermines the rule of law, and threatens the stability of societies. "

She called in this connection to intensify actions at the national level and bilaterally to face this problem, through the efforts combined with the efforts of economic and social policies focused on the welfare of the citizen, and provide health care for victims, and raise the level of education and awareness of the dangers of this scourge, as well as the development of regional and international cooperation, and the sharing of responsibilities and intensify efforts with relevant international organizations, and civil society organizations, family, school, and strengthen national efforts, in accordance with the spirit and letter of the United Nations drug and crime conventions.