Kenya has called for stronger international cooperation to tackle the growing global drug problem, including the rising threat of synthetic drugs. Speaking at the 33rd Meeting of Heads of National Law Enforcement Agencies (HONLEA) in Vienna, Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, Edwin Afande, said combating narcotics remains a common and shared responsibility of all UN member states. Afande, who is also Chair of the Africa Group, expressed concern over disparities in access to controlled substances for medical purposes and the growing threat posed by synthetic drugs. He noted that drug trafficking is increasingly linked to corruption, illicit financial flows and terrorism, requiring stronger regional and international cooperation. Afande also called on the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to support member states in preventing, detecting and responding to substandard and falsified medical products, which he said pose a serious threat to public health and socio-economic development in Africa. He urged the international community to remove barriers to equitable access to controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes, particularly for pain relief and palliative care. Kenya’s national statement was delivered by Principal Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and Head of...
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