Chair Helen Clark provided a video message to the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) side event entitled, “Evidence and Science-Based Approaches in Drug Policy, HIV and Health: Good Practices and Windows of Opportunity”.

The side event was co-organized by the governments of Mexico, Colombia and UNDP, and co-sponsored by Czechia, Switzerland, UNAIDS, WHO, OHCHR, the Global Commission on Drug Policy, and the Open Society Foundations. Participants included representatives from UNODC, UN Women, INPUD, Harm Reduction International, International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations, the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation, and Students for Sensible Drug Policy. Speakers from across the co-sponsoring entities emphasized the importance of grounding drug policy in scientific evidence, public health, and human rights, while also highlighting the role of youth leadership, community engagement, and cross-sectoral partnership.

In her remarks, Chair Clark underscored the urgency of seizing this critical moment for drug policy reform, as growing momentum at the multilateral level and across national and sub-national jurisdictions coincides with alarming cuts to development aid and global health funding – including funding for essential community-level harm reduction services.

A recording of the event is available here.