Bahamas to Co-Chair Roundtable During United Nations Special Session on the World Drug Problem
The United Nations has convened a Special Session of the General Assembly on the World Drug Problem that will run from April 19 to 21, 2016 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Following weeks of intense negotiations by The Bahamas delegation to the United Nations, The Bahamas has been selected to Co-Chair Roundtable 5, “Alternative development; regional, interregional andinternational cooperation”, during this important international event.
The location of The Bahamas between the leading producing and consuming nations relative to the illegal drug industry, makes it a victim of geography and threatens its national security and sustainable development.
Bahamas drug interdiction efforts have been recognised and commended by international partners in this regard. Nonetheless, despite best efforts to eradicate it, the illegal drug trade continues to survive. Meanwhile, it is closely related to crime and violence in the Bahamas. Local drug traffickers have morphed into organised criminal gangs and associated violence, including murder, has increased.
The Bahamas views this lead role in global discussions on strategies to advance initiatives to counter the world drug problem as significant. The United Nations Session provides The Bahamas a forum to actively engage in international discussions to strategize on how to counter the illegal drug industry and likewise to call for intensified, comprehensive, synchronised global efforts regarding the same. It also provides The Bahamas the opportunity to share information about its achievements and unique challenges, which creates the space for more focused and contextual solutions.
The Bahamas delegation to UNGASS16 is being lead by the Minister of National Security, the Honourable Dr. Bernard Nottage, who is accompanied by senior and technical officials from his Ministry, representatives from pertinent civil society organisations, as well as officers from The Bahamas Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
