The African Union (AU) played a pivotal role during the 68th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna, Austria, by presenting innovative and scalable interventions deployed by its member states to advance drug use prevention, treatment, and the response to HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) among individuals with drug use disorders across the continent.

The AU convened two high-level hybrid-format side events on the margins of the CND’s week-long proceedings, which concluded on Friday, 14 March 2025. The events drew a diverse and engaged audience, reflecting heightened global interest in Africa’s evolving approaches to drug demand reduction and integrated health responses.

The first side event, convened on 12 March 2025, was organized in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and benefited from the support of the African Civil Society Forum on Drugs, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and the European Union.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms. Angela Martins, Acting Director for Social Development, Culture, and Sports, highlighted the progress made by AU member states in addressing drug-related challenges. She emphasized the need for sustainable partnerships, resource-sharing, and strategic alignment to enhance support for national drug policies.

Ms. Fariba Soltani, Chief of the HIV/AIDS Section and Global Coordinator for HIV/AIDS at UNODC, echoed this call, stressing that expanding evidence-based interventions and mobilizing additional resources are critical to accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

The session featured country experts from Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania, who presented successful national initiatives on drug prevention, treatment, and care. Dr. Abiola Olaleye, Senior Programme Officer for Drug Epidemiology and Research at the AU Commission, provided an overview of drug use trends and blood-borne infections in Africa. Ms. Charity Monareng, Executive Director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, emphasized the role of civil society in shaping effective responses at both national and regional levels. Building on these discussions, the African Union Commission outlined key priorities for strengthening the continent’s response to drug use disorders, including scaling up prevention and harm reduction services, fostering multi-sectoral partnerships, increasing resource mobilization, and enhancing data-driven policymaking through improved drug monitoring and reporting systems.

As part of its continued engagement at the 68th Session of the United Nations CND, the African Union convened a second high-level side event in collaboration with Students for Sensible Drug Policy and the Government of the Republic of South Africa. The event spotlighted the AU’s growing efforts to integrate traditional leaders into drug demand reduction programs across Africa. Bringing together policymakers, traditional leaders, and rural community advocates, the session created a dynamic platform to exchange strategies and promote transformative leadership in tackling drug use among youth and adolescents, particularly in rural and underserved areas.  Key speakers included Mr Lunga Bengu, Deputy Permanent Representative of the South African Permanent Mission in Vienna, His Royal Highness Kgosi Thabo Milton Seathlolo, the Chairperson for the Southern African Network of Traditional Leaders in Drug Demand Reduction (SANTLDDR), and Dr. Abel Basutu Senior Drug Control Programme Officer at the African Union Commission, among others.

Speakers emphasized the critical role of traditional leadership in prevention, rehabilitation, and care efforts, aligning with the AU Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention (2019–2025). Key recommendations called for formal integration of traditional leaders into national frameworks, increased investment in community-based programs, and enhanced collaboration with policymakers to improve the design and delivery of localized interventions

The first side event was in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and with support from the African Civil Society Forum on Drugs, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and the European Union. Other key multilateral and bilateral state stakeholders, included Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the Czech Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe. While the second was in collaboration with Students for Sensible Drug Policy and the Government of the Republic of South Africa.

The events drew a diverse and engaged audience, reflecting heightened global interest in Africa’s evolving approaches to drug demand reduction and integrated health responses.

Read more about the African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention (2019-2025)   https://au.int/en/documents/20190729/african-union-plan-action-drug-control-and-crime-prevention-2019-2025

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For further information, please contact:

Dr. Olubusayo Akinola | Head of Division | Social Welfare, Drug Control and Crime Prevention | African Union Commission | E-mail AkinolaO@africa-union.org   

Dr. Abel Basutu | Senior Drug Control Officer | Social Welfare, Drug Control and Crime Prevention Division | African Union Commission | E-mail BasutuA@africa-union.org   

For media inquiries, please contact:

Faith Adhiambo | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail:  OchiangJ@african-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,