The role of harm reduction in a comprehensive approach to drugs

ONLINE SIDE EVENT - Ahead of the thematic discussions at the 3rd intersessional meeting for the 63rd Session of the CND | Co-sponsored by Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNODC, WHO, Frontline AIDS, HRI, IDPC, INPUD, OSF

Thursday, 15th October 2020, 15:15 - 16:45 (CET)
(Microsoft Teams link will be sent upon registration)

PLEASE, REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/3ncMIAc

This event will provide context and perspectives on global harm reduction developments linking strongly to the health-related focus of the upcoming CND intersessional topics.

The current context of the global COVID-19 pandemic has brought additional challenges to ensuring the health and rights of people who use drugs, and as such brings an extra imperative and urgency to the discussion.

Relevant global developments will also be highlighted, including the development of the Global AIDS Strategy and plans for the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on ending AIDS and the next Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS in 2021.

Panellists will also discuss the need to scale up community-led services, the current funding crisis for HIV, viral hepatitis and harm reduction programmes around the world and initiatives to address stigma & discrimination faced by people who use drugs.

Opening remarks: H.E. Kjersti Andersen, Permanent Representative of Norway to the UN and IAEA in Vienna

Panellists:

• Luisa Cabal, Director a.i. of the Community Support, Social Justice, and Inclusion Department, UNAIDS
• Aditia Taslim, Executive Director, Rumah Cemara, Indonesia
• Charan Sharma, Programme Manager: Drug Use & Harm Reduction, Alliance India
• Yuliya Georgieva, Chair, Centre for Humane Policy, Bulgaria

Moderator: Ann Fordham, Chair of the Strategic Advisory Group to the UN on HIV & Drug Use