La Paz, 23rd February 2024 - The Argentine Embassy to the EU, together with the Secretary of SEDRONAR, Roberto Moro, and the Directorate of Human Security of the Argentine Foreign Ministry, took part in the III Annual Meeting of the Cooperation Programme between Latin America, the Caribbean, and the European Union on Drug Policies (COPOLAD), followed by the XXIV High-Level Meeting of the Coordination and Cooperation Mechanism on Drugs.

 

The COPOLAD Annual Meeting is a technical and cooperative dialogue aimed at comprehensively addressing the drug problem and the fight against drug trafficking. This year's theme has been "For more humane and effective drug policies".

 

The COPOLAD sessions represent an invaluable opportunity for the exchange of experiences and best practices among the countries of our region and the European Union. Among the topics addressed, the need to adapt policies to new social contexts, the importance of having more data and scientific evidence, as well as deepening the connection with civil society and problem drug users, were highlighted.

 

Furthermore, we took part in the High-Level Authorities Meeting of the CELAC-EU Coordination and Cooperation Mechanism on Drugs. During this event, various national drug policies were presented and debated, and joint initiatives to combat this global challenge were explored.

 

The bi-regional CELAC-EU forum has enabled open dialogue and effective cooperation, culminating in the adoption of the La Paz Declaration. This document establishes priority areas for cooperation over the next five years, focusing on the illicit production and trafficking of drugs, substance consumption and disorders related to substance use, the relationship between drugs and crimes affecting the environment, and other forms of organised crime related to drug trafficking. Thus, it marks a committed path towards drug policies that are not only effective but also respect human dignity and seek the welfare of society.

 

Written by Felipe Cossio