Vienna, March 11 (QNA) - The State of Qatar affirmed its commitment to strengthening international cooperation to address the global drug problem, stressing that confronting this phenomenon requires a comprehensive approach that combines prevention, treatment, law enforcement, and development.

This came in the State of Qatar's statement delivered by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Austria and Qatar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Vienna Jassim Yaaqob Al Hamadi, during the 69th session of the United Nations (UN) Commission on

Narcotic Drugs (CND) held in Vienna.

HE the Ambassador said that the World Drug Report 2025 and the report submitted by the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reflect a worrying situation regarding the evolution of global drug markets, which are expanding in size, scope, and complexity, while rates of drug use and the number of related victims continue to rise. He pointed out that illicit activities related to the production, manufacturing, and trafficking of drugs have become more mobile and technologically advanced, with the increasing use of the dark web and cryptocurrencies in the drug trade, in addition to growing links between drug trafficking, corruption, money laundering, organized crime, and terrorism.

His Excellency said that these challenges should not lead the international community to despair, but rather call for confronting reality with strong political will, noting that the three international drug control conventions already provide a comprehensive legal framework, adding that what is needed is their effective implementation and the establishment of comprehensive shared priorities.

HE Al Hamadi highlighted the State of Qatar's contributions to supporting regional and international initiatives to combat drugs through its support for international organizations and specialized programs, which enhances countries' capacity to confront this cross-border phenomenon.

He emphasized the importance of safeguarding international multilateralism and strengthening the role of the UN system, including UNODC, being a key pillar in reinforcing international cooperation and solidarity among states in addressing the world drug issue.

In Qatar's statement before the 69th session of the CND in Vienna, HE Al Hamadi called on the international community to renew its joint commitment to building a drug-free world by dismantling criminal networks, cutting off their sources of funding, and breaking the cycle of suffering and destruction associated with this phenomenon. (QNA)