29/06/2021
The anti-drugs cooperation programme was presented at the high-level CELAC-EU political dialogue on drugs
Photograph of the COPOLAD III programme provided by Javier Sagredo
The CELAC-EU summits are a space for political dialogue that brings together countries from Latin American and Caribbean and the European Union. Within the framework of these CELAC-EU relations, the Coordination and Cooperation Mechanism on drugs identifies common priorities and coordinates policies to face the challenges related to the global drug problem.
The COPOLAD III cooperation programme was presented at the 22nd meeting of this high-level dialogue which is funded by the European Union and managed by FIIAPP and IILA. Over the next four years, this anti-drug programme will focus on sustainable development, human rights, public health, gender equality, and public safety.
Javier Sagredo, the director of COPOLAD III presented the focus of the programme: to facilitate the joint work by the participating countries in different areas relating to drug policy, provide specialised technical assistance and implement processes to discuss and improve public policies. Sagredo has highlighted the importance of linking the fight against drugs with development so that drug policies do not generate negative impacts, but rather contribute to advancing towards the major sustainable development goals without leaving anyone behind.
Eric Beaume, the representative of the European Commission DG for International Partnerships, also commented on this matter. He underlined the importance of the sustainable development approach, especially in these times that have been hit by the health, social and economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Representatives from EU member states including Spain, Portugal and France also took part in the meeting. They presented the approaches and main points of their national drug policies and plans, with a focus strongly based on responses from public health, in line with the new EU Drug Strategy 2021-2025. During the event the latest reports from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (ECMCDDA) were also analysed.
