The Privy Councilor participated in the 66th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs
On 13-17 March 2023, General Kampanat Ruddit, Privy Councilor and Chairman of the Royal Project Executive Board, together with the Thai delegation, participated in the 66th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND66) at the Vienna International Centre (VIC), Austria.
On the sideline of the meeting, the Privy Councilor had a bilateral meeting with Ms. Ghada Waly, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The Executive Director recognized the leading role of the Royal Project Foundation in applying Alternative Development as a drug control strategy both at the regional and global levels, and reaffirmed UNODC's determination to work with the Foundation as well as Thai agencies in promoting it.
On this occasion, the Privy Councilor also presided over the side event organized by the delegation of Thailand with the support of Germany, Peru, the United States of America, the European Union, and UNODC Sustainable Livelihoods Unit. The side event, "Hats on Hills: The Inclusive Pathway on Alternative Development for Sustainability", presented the panelists' experiences regarding the work of the Royal Project Foundation in developing the areas affected by opium-poppy cultivation, the collaboration with farmers from 14 hilltribes in conservation agriculture including organic farming, the success in socio-economic development, the elimination of opium-poppy cultivation, and conservation of the environment and restoration of the eco-system. In addition, the Thai delegation also organized an exhibition at the VIC on the same topic.
With 53 members, CND is the policymaking body of the United Nations with prime responsibility for drug control and other drug-related matters. Thailand has been a member of the Commission since 1973, and has continuously worked with other members in promoting a people-and-community-centred approach in addressing and countering the world drug problem. It is in line with the royal initiatives of His Majesty the King and His Late Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.
