The action on drug control and crime prevention held on 18-20 of November 2025 in Maputo, Mozambique, with the framework closely aligned with the development framework “Agenda 2063 - The Africa We Want”, by supporting inclusive, people-centred policies that strengthen institutions, reduce harm, and foster peace and security across the continent. By incorporating the 2016 UNGASS principles and the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, the framework works to reduce cannabis use and medical and pharmaceutical opioids from being widely used and reduce the Projections that suggest that by 2030, Africa will bear a disproportionately high burden of drug-related challenges, among its youth population, which constitutes over 60% of the continent's population under the age of 25.

The 2026-2030 is the next stage for drug control and management, using previous report from 2016 and 2019 from the United Nations General Assembly Special Session. Additionally, new psychoactive substances are emerging, complicating treatment and enforcement efforts. Weak regulatory systems, limited access to treatment services, and under-resourced law enforcement further exacerbate the crisis.

The primary objective of this technical experts’ meeting is to identify and define priority areas for inclusion in the next African Union Continental Drug Action Plan. Also, the achieving and implementation of the 2019-2025 of the UN ministerial delegation and the agenda-2063 of the commission.

Specific Objectives

• Agree on the overall structure and format of the successor continental drug action plan.
• Identify and articulate the key strategic pillars, including core elements under each pillar.
• Define measurable indicators and means of verification at the continental, regional economic community, and national levels.
• Establish a roadmap and timeline for drafting, validating, and adopting the successor framework.
• Propose mechanisms for improved coordination, monitoring, and reporting across Member States and regional bodies.
• Identify capacity-building needs and technical support requirements for effective implementation of the next plan.

• A consensus-based outline of the plan’s structure (e.g., vision, goals, pillars, implementation framework) and agreed formatting standards and terminology for consistency across sections.
• A list of strategic pillars (e.g., prevention, treatment, law enforcement, data systems, advocacy and communication, Alcohol etc.) along with detailed descriptions of core components and thematic focus areas under each pillar.
• A matrix of indicators aligned with each pillar and objective.
• Defined means of verification and data sources for monitoring progress at all levels.
• A clear timeline with milestones for drafting, stakeholder consultations, validation, and adoption.
• Assigned responsibilities and coordination mechanisms for each phase.
• Recommendations for institutional coordination structures and reporting lines.
• A list of priority capacity gaps and training needs by thematic area.
• Proposed strategies for mobilizing technical assistance and resources.
• A prioritized list of emerging issues and challenges to be addressed in the new plan.

African Union’s Pan African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (PAENDU) 2023 Report
UNODC World Drug Report 2025