Second anti-drug Working Group meeting of Heads of Drug Control
Agencies of BRICS countries
Union Home Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh inaugurated
the second anti-drug Working Group meeting of Heads of Drug Control Agencies of
BRICS countries in New Delhi. The
meeting is being organized by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
In accordance with the ‘eThekwani Declaration‘
adopted during the BRICS summit in March 2013 at Durban, South Africa, it was
decided to explore, besides economic issues, various new areas of cooperation
among the member States, including drug related issues. In keeping with the
spirit of the eThekwani Declaration, the first anti-drug working group meeting
of BRICS countries was organized at Moscow, Russia in November, 2015.
The delegates from the participating countries shall
be deliberating over important drug related issues over the entire day. These
delegates include Ambassadors of the respective countries, The Directors
General of Border Guarding Forces and the Paramilitary are also likely to
attend the inaugural session along with the heads of the Intelligence and
Investigative Agencies.
The meeting evaluated the drug abuse situation in
the member countries and analyzed the legislations of BRICS member states as
well as devise modalities to share the best practices of enforcement and demand
reduction being followed in the member countries.
During the meeting, the participants discussed the
drug trafficking situation including the illicit cultivation and production of
Opium and Heroin in South West Asia and South East Asia and illicit
cultivation of Coca bush in South
America, and Illicit cultivation of Cannabis plant used for production of
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, diversion and trafficking of
precursor chemicals, illicit financial flows from drug proceeds, financing of
terrorism in certain cases, maritime drug trafficking and challenges and
emergence of new psycho-active substances that have posed serious threat to
health, safety and well being of society across globe, especially of the youth
and also undermines the economic, social and political stability and
development of BRICS member states.
The delegates also resolved to develop and enhance
cooperation and collaboration among the Member States to monitor current trends
and drug trafficking routes, exchange of information among the drug law
enforcement agencies, share and exchange experiences, best practices and
enhance capacity building in order to prevent and counter illicit drug
trafficking and related crimes.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajnath Singh said
that it is a subject which is posing a serious challenge to the global
community today. He said that during the BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Combating
the Drug Threat at Moscow on April 22, 2015, it was decided to create a BRICS Anti-Drug
Working Group and the first Meeting was held on November 10, 2015, in Moscow.
He said that the Anti-Drug Working Group was established with an aim to address
the issue on counteracting the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs,
psychotropic substances and their precursors. He expressed his happiness over
the fact that this forum has flagged plethora of issues for discussions and
also expressed belief that BRICS nations will be able to identify methodologies
to address them. He also informed that India has taken over the chairmanship of
BRICS this year and will be organizing a series of meetings, conferences &
workshops, which will culminate in the 8th Summit of Heads of the States on
October 15-16, 2016, in Goa.
Home Minister said that BRICS is an association of
major emerging national economies. All the five member countries of BRICS are
distinguished by their large and fast-growing economies, having significant
political influence on the world and regional affairs and all five are G-20
Members, he added. He said that the BRICS countries represent over 42% of the
world population having a combined GDP of approximately 20% of the gross world
product. This international forum is an excellent platform for encouraging
commercial, social and cultural cooperation between the BRICS nations, Shri
Rajnath Singh said.
The Home Minister said that the Prime Minister, Mr.
Narendra Modi, during his visit to Russia on the occasion of the 7th BRICS
Summit had stated that India attaches high importance to BRICS and India
believes that this is a great forum that can contribute effectively to mitigate
global challenges.
Expressing concern over the drug abuse, Mr. Rajnath
Singh said that drug abuse and trafficking poses a serious threat to civilized
societies today. It is an issue which transcends all organized criminal
enterprises, he added. The Home Minister also expressed deep concern over the
fact that today the drug business generates the highest illegal fund flows and
leads to narco-terrorism, which poses a serious threat to global security and
endangers peace, health and stability across regions. He called upon the BRICS
nations to come together to collectively fight against this menace and evil,
which is assuming threatening proportions.
The Home Minister said that the problems of drug
trafficking and abuse have continued its significant toll on valuable human
lives and productive years of many persons around the globe. With the growth
and development of world economy, drug traffickers are also seamlessly supplying
various types of drugs from one corner to the other, ensuring the availability
of the contrabands for vulnerable segment of the society who fall into the trap
of drug peddlers, he added. He said that the vulnerability of nations to drugs
and crime remains a grave concern for Global society. The illicit cultivation
of opium mainly in South West Asia (Afghanistan) and South East Asia and coca
bush in South America continue to be a challenge for all of us, he said. He
said that apart from natural drugs, abuse and trafficking of synthetic drugs
mainly amphetamine types of stimulant and new psychoactive substances are
causing serious challenge for health care providers and law enforcement
agencies. The magnitude of the problem becomes more apparent when we see considerable
drug users suffering from drug related disorders or drug dependence, he added.
He also expressed concern that the transmission of infectious diseases such as
HIV and Hepatitis 'C' and occurrence of drug overdose are potential risk
factors that lead to a high level of mortality,
Mr.
Rajnath Singh expressed belief that this Anti Drug BRICS working meeting will
deliberate upon the Drug Problem that continues to pose challenges across the
world and specially for BRICS members. He called upon the nations to re-affirm
their shared responsibility through a renewed commitment to multilateralism,
international cooperation, increased technical assistance and provision of
financial resources in our fight against the drug menace within the framework
of the three UN conventions.
BRICS
v 40% of World’s population
v 20% of World’s GDP
v Coined by Jim O’Neill as
BRIC in 2001
v South Africa joined the BRIC
in 2010 and changed as BRICS
v BRICS (on GDP): China >
India > Russia > Brazil > South Africa
v BRICS (on Population): China
> India > Brazil > Russia > South Africa
v BRICS (on Literacy): Russia
> Brazil > China > South Africa > India
v Indonesia, Turkey, Mexico,
Bangladesh, Egypt, Argentina, Iran, Nigeria, Syria and Greece shown interest in
joining BRICS
v Summits:-
I – BRIC – 2009 – Yekaterinburg, Russia
II – BRIC – 2010 – Brasilia, Brazil
III – BRICS – 2011 – Sanya, China
IV – BRICS – 2012 – New Delhi, India
V – BRICS – 2013 – Durban, South Africa
VI – BRICS – 2014 – Fortaleza, Brazil [BRICS held a
summit with the UNASUR leaders in Brasilia]
VII – BRICS – 2015 – Ufa, Russia [BRICS held a
summit with the SCO and the EEU in Ufa]
VIII – BRICS – 2016 – Panaji (Goa), India [to be
held]
v Themes:-
2014: 'Inclusive
Growth; Sustainable Development'
2015: 'Partnership:
A powerful factor for global development'
2016: ‘Building Responsive, Inclusive & Collective Solutions’
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