Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, participated in the launch of the Arab Plan for the Prevention and Reduction of Drug Threats to Arab Society, as well as the signing of the Regional Framework for Action for Arab Countries (2023-2028), on 26 March.
The event was attended by Her Excellency Ms. Ghada Wali, Undersecretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
The official spokesman for the Secretary-General, Gamal Roshdy, stated that Mr. Aboul Gheit delivered a speech in which he emphasised the importance of existing cooperation between the League of Arab States and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime through the regional framework for Arab countries. He highlighted that the framework addressed issues of common interest, including preventing and combating crime and terrorism, health threats, and strengthening criminal justice systems.
The official spokesman for the Secretary-General has stated that during the event, Mr. Aboul Gheit praised the Arab Plan for the Prevention and Reduction of Drug Threats to Arab Society, which was adopted by the Council of Ministers of Social Affairs in its 42nd ordinary session. The Secretary-General highlighted that the plan represents a different perspective from the prevailing health and security approach in dealing with the dangers of drugs in an effective and comprehensive manner.
Mr. Aboul Gheit also stressed the importance of having a comprehensive plan that involves the efforts of state institutions and civil society initiatives. He stated that this plan should be based on a sound understanding of the complex social scourge of drug abuse, which intersects with other social issues affecting the social structure.
