24/03/2026
The European programmes COPOLAD III, EU-ACT and CADAP 8, managed by FIAP, are participating in the CND69, contributing to various international debates on cooperation, security and drug policies.
The growing involvement of minors in drug trafficking networks, the rise of synthetic drugs, and the need to strengthen evidence-based policies have shaped the discussions at the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND69), held in Vienna. In this context, the programmes COPOLAD III, EU-ACT and CADAP 8, funded by the European Union and led by FIAP, have played an active role in promoting international cooperation.
Throughout the week, the three programmes have taken part in different dialogue platforms, fostering the exchange of experiences between Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa and Central Asia, at a key moment ahead of the planned review of the international drug control system in 2029.
EU-ACT: international cooperation and the fight against organized crime
EU-ACT has contributed to several discussions focused on strengthening cooperation against drug trafficking and other forms of organized crime. One of the most notable activities was the event “Lives at Risk: Global Trends and Institutional Responses to Youth Involvement in Drug Trafficking,” organized by Spain through CITCO with the support of EU-ACT and COPOLAD III.
The meeting addressed the growing recruitment of minors and young people by criminal networks, a trend linked to factors such as social exclusion, territorial inequalities, and the evolution of drug markets.
The session, moderated by FIAP Secretary General Tobias Jung, brought together high-level law enforcement and judicial officials, international organizations, and representatives from specialized European agencies. The participation of experts from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean—through CARICOM IMPACS—provided a global perspective on responses to youth recruitment by drug trafficking networks.
COPOLAD III: comprehensive approach and environmental dimension
COPOLAD III has strengthened its role as a platform for dialogue between the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean, promoting comprehensive, evidence-based approaches to drug policies.
Among its key contributions was the side event “Territorial Vulnerability, Organized Crime and Sustainable Alternative Development: Launch of the Territorial Vulnerability Index,” where the tool “The Point of No Return” was presented. This initiative promotes the systematic integration of the environmental dimension into drug policies, highlighting the interconnection between illicit economies, environmental degradation, and territorial vulnerability.
The programme also participated in other international discussions, such as the event organized by Italy on the prevention and monitoring of the misuse of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, and the one led by Brazil on comprehensive prevention systems.
CADAP 8: cooperation with Central Asia
Participation in CND69 also included CADAP 8, a programme that promotes cooperation between the European Union and Central Asian countries through an approach that combines the reduction of both drug supply and demand.
During the week, CADAP 8 took part in meetings with international institutions and national authorities, contributing to the strengthening of institutional capacities in drug policy, with a particular focus on prevention, treatment, and evidence-based approaches.
