COMMISSION ON NARCOTIC DRUGS APPROVES $152 MILLION INITIAL BUDGET FOR EXTRABUDGETARY WORLD-WIDE ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS FOR 1996-1997
Press Release
SOC/NAR/718
COMMISSION ON NARCOTIC DRUGS APPROVES $152 MILLION INITIAL BUDGET FOR EXTRABUDGETARY WORLD-WIDE ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS FOR 1996-1997
19951215 VIENNA, 14 December (UN Information Service) -- The Commission on Narcotic Drugs has approved an initial programme budget totalling $152,448,500 for extrabudgetary international drug control activities for the 1996-1997 biennium. It also approved a final budget of $188,923,100 for such projects for 1994-1995, as well as a performance report for that period totalling $148,712,300.It took that action here this afternoon, at the conclusion of a two-day reconvened session, in response to budgetary proposals submitted by Giorgio Giacomelli, Executive-Director of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP). Those included the 1994-1995 programme budget and performance report for the Fund for the Programme, as well as the initial programme budget for the Fund for 1996-1997. In doing so, the Commission was continuing to exercise the administrative and financial functions entrusted to it by the General Assembly in 1991 in relation to the UNDCP. The Programme's regular budget is determined by the Assembly.
During debate on the 157-page text, many delegations expressed concern that at a time when governments are facing a mounting threat of drug abuse and trafficking, the UNDCP was experiencing a widening gap between its mandates and the resources available to implement them.
Speaker after speaker urged member States to recognize the need to contribute more non-earmarked funds to enable the UNDCP to carry out its mandated activities and recommended that the Programme take steps to widen its donor base by seeking financial contributions from countries not already providing funds for United Nations drug control efforts. Some called for greater collaboration with the private sector, non-governmental organizations, international financial institutions and other United Nations agencies.
In a closing statement, Commission Chairman Ireneusz Matela (Poland) said the session had shown that the Commission was confident that the UNDCP was taking on some of the most critical drug control challenges while burdened with serious budgetary constraints. It was imperative, he stressed, that all States increase their contributions in support of the Programme.
The 53-member Commission will hold its next regular session here from 16 to 25 April 1996.
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