Resolution nº 2008/27 of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. 24-07-2008

• Date: 24 July 2008
• Issuer: Economic and Social Council of the United Nation

ECOSOC Resolution 2008/27

Provision of international assistance to the most

affected States neighbouring Afghanistan

The Economic and Social Council

,

Recalling

its resolutions 2001/16 of 24 July 2001, 2002/21 of 24

July 2002, 2003/34 and 2003/35 of 22 July 2003 and 2005/27 of 22

July 2005 and other relevant resolutions on international assistance to

States affected by the transit of illicit drugs,

Taking note with concern

of the report of the United Nations

Office on Drugs and Crime entitled “Afghanistan: opium survey

2007”, in which the Office emphasized that, in 2007, Afghanistan had

produced 8,200 tons of opium, representing 93 per cent of global

production,

Noting

the progress that Afghanistan has made in implementing

the National Drug Control Strategy of the Government of

Afghanistan,

1

including the fact that the number of its provinces free

of opium poppy more than doubled, from six to thirteen, in 2007,

Reaffirming

the commitments assumed by Member States in the

Political Declaration adopted by the General Assembly at its twentieth

special session

2

and the measures to enhance international cooperation

to counter the world drug problem,

3

Wel co mi ng

the Paris Pact initiative on assistance to States

affected by the transit of illicit drugs,

4

Acknowledging

the ongoing efforts of the Government of

Afghanistan and the international community, including States

neighbouring Afghanistan, to counter the scourge of illicit drugs,

despite the continuing increase in the illicit cultivation of opium

poppy and the illicit production of opiates in Afghanistan,

Emphasizing

that international drug traffickers are constantly

changing their modus operandi, rapidly reorganizing and gaining

access to modern technology,

Acknowledging

that transit States are faced with multifaceted

challenges related to the increasing amount of illicit drugs transiting

through their territory as a result of the increasing supply and demand

on illicit drug markets,

Keeping in mind

that the bulk of the illicit drugs originating in

Afghanistan are smuggled through the Islamic Republic of Iran,

Pakistan and other countries neighbouring Afghanistan before

reaching their countries of destination,

Considering

that a large number of transit States, in particular

the States neighbouring Afghanistan, are developing countries or

1

S/2006/106, annex.

2

General Assembly resolution S-20/2, annex.

3

General Assembly resolutions S-20/4 A to E.

4

S/2003/641, annex.