The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is one of the functional commissions of the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and is the central drug policy-making body within the United Nations System. The Sixty-sixth session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) takes place in Vienna, Austria,13^th-17^th March 2023. The CND meets every year to discuss the global state of drug control and to adopt resolutions to guide the way forward. This year, the focus of discussions were based on Implementation of the international drug control treaties to include changes in the scope of control of substances and the need of international cooperation to ensure the availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes while preventing their diversion.

At the 66^th Session of the Commission of Narcotics Drugs (CND), The Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme (CPDAP) hosted and successfully concluded a side event focused on the CPDAP’s “Journey in Changing Lives for better” in the past 50 years. It highlighted the CPDAP’s achievements and showcased successful stories on the ground and significant milestones in the region and beyond.

H.E Dr. Benjamin P. Reyes, Secretary General of The Colombo Plan along with Ms. Oranooch Sungkhawanna, Director of the CPDAP and Dr. Jo Choong Lean Keow, Project Manager of CPDAP explained and guided the audience on Drug Advisory Programmes’ five decade long successful journey in combating illicit drugs and Drug Demand Reduction efforts in the world. More than 30 professionals and experts attended and contributed to the meeting. Among the attendees were the representatives from ICUDDR, ISSUP, CICAD, CPDAP TPs and other International Agencies. The side event was successfully concluded on on 13^th March 2023.