1. Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Home Affairs and National Development, Mr Desmond Lee, is leading the Singapore delegation to the 59th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) which takes place from today until 22 March 2016 in Vienna, Austria. SMS Lee will deliver Singapore's national statement at CND, attend the special segment of the meeting and is scheduled to return to Singapore earlier on 16 March 2016.
2. The annual CND brings together all United Nations member states to discuss and decide on issues related to global drug control policies. This year's CND is especially significant as it serves as a preparatory meeting ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on the World Drug Problem, to be held in New York from 19 to 21 April 2016. The UNGASS 2016 will be an important platform for countries to take stock of the goals set out in the 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action, and review necessary measures to tackle the world drug problem in the next decade.
3. SMS Lee is accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Narcotics Bureau and the Health Sciences Authority.
