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PRESS RELEASE
On 10 March, the head of the Russian delegation to the 69th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) [the principal UN policymaking body on drug control, which meets annually in Vienna], Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia D.E. Lubinsky, took part in a side event on the margins of the session dedicated to experience working with youth in digital spaces in Central Asian countries for the purpose of preventing drug use. The event was organized by the Regional Office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran, and Pakistan, with the support of the Russian Federation, the Central Asian countries, and the relevant UNODC section.
During the event, the importance of drug addiction prevention and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle among young people was emphasized, noting that this is a priority for the Russian Federation.
The contribution of the Russian Federation to UNODC's work with the younger generation was highlighted. In particular, it was underscored that Russia has been a continuous donor to the UNODC's Youth Drug Prevention Initiative since 2012 and was among the founders of the Regional Youth Network in Central Asia [a UNODC-supported network promoting drug prevention among young people across the region], to the development of which it has consistently allocated funding since 2021.
The Russian Federation highly values the efforts and expertise of UNODC in preventing drug use among young people and intends to continue supporting this work by the Office in the friendly region of Central Asia.
The relevant range of issues was also discussed during a separate meeting between D.E. Lubinsky and UNODC Regional Representative Oliver Stolpe.