Vienna International Centre | 26 June 2026
On 26 June 2026, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) marked the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with a Special Event dedicated to the launch of the UNODC World Drug Report 2026. The event brought together Member States, United Nations entities, civil society organizations, academia and other stakeholders to reflect on current developments in the global drug situation and discuss priorities for future action.
The event was opened by H.E. Ambassador Andranik Hovhannisyan, Chair of the 69th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, followed by remarks from Ms. Monica Juma, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Executive Director Juma highlighted the rapidly evolving nature of global drug markets and stressed the importance of stronger international cooperation, prevention, treatment and coordinated responses to organized crime.
The presentation of the World Drug Report 2026 focused on several major global trends. The Report indicates that illicit drug markets continue to evolve rapidly, driven by technological innovation, geopolitical instability and the emergence of new synthetic substances. Cocaine production has reached record levels, methamphetamine markets continue to expand globally, while synthetic opioids such as fentanyls and nitazenes are increasingly reshaping the global opioid market. The Report also notes that an estimated 331 million people used drugs in 2024, underlining the growing scale and complexity of the world drug situation. At the same time, it emphasizes the need for balanced, evidence-based responses combining prevention, treatment, international cooperation and action against organized crime.
Following the presentation of the Report, Member States delivered statements reflecting regional priorities and national perspectives on addressing the evolving drug situation. Several delegations emphasized the importance of international cooperation, data-driven policymaking and comprehensive responses addressing both supply and demand.
Civil society contributions
Following consultations between the VNGOC Board and the CND Secretariat prior to the event, additional opportunities were secured for civil society interventions. In addition to the official statement delivered by the Chair of the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC), three further representatives of ECOSOC-accredited civil society organizations were invited to address the meeting, ensuring a broader representation of global civil society perspectives.
Speaking on behalf of more than 450 civil society organizations from over 110 countries, VNGOC Chair Matej Košir welcomed the appointment of Executive Director Monica Juma and reaffirmed VNGOC’s commitment to strengthening cooperation between UNODC and civil society. The statement emphasized that while the World Drug Report provides an essential evidence base, its real value lies in inspiring action. It highlighted the rapidly changing nature of drug markets, called for stronger investment in evidence-based prevention and harm reduction, accessible health and social services, and meaningful civil society participation in UN processes. The statement also underlined that regular CND thematic discussions and other participatory mechanisms are investments in better policymaking and implementation, particularly at a time when financial constraints should not diminish opportunities for dialogue.
The three additional NGO speakers complemented the VNGOC intervention by sharing perspectives from the ground, highlighting the practical experience of civil society organizations in responding to emerging drug-related challenges and reinforcing the importance of sustained engagement between governments, UN entities and communities.
The 2026 World Drug Report launch once again demonstrated the value of multi-stakeholder dialogue. While the Report documents increasingly complex global drug markets and growing health and security challenges, the event also reaffirmed that effective responses require strong partnerships among Member States, UN agencies, academia and civil society, with evidence-based prevention and community engagement remaining essential components of a balanced and effective global drug policy response.
