Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau is hosting the 36th Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Drug Matters (ASOD) over three days, from 24 to 26 August 2015. ASOD is an ASEAN sectoral body set up to discuss key challenges related to the drug scene and to share best practices and strategies to tackle these challenges.
2015 is a milestone year for ASEAN in combating the scourge of drugs. It marks the culmination of the 2009-2015 ASOD work plan towards a Drug-Free ASEAN. At the 3rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters in December 2014, ASEAN ministers had agreed that it was important to maintain a Drug-Free ASEAN beyond 2015. This year’s ASOD meeting will discuss plans for ASEAN to better respond as a region against a more challenging global drug situation so as to work towards a Drug-Free ASEAN.
ASEAN officials will discuss plans to shape regional responses against drug trafficking and drug abuse. Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs said in his speech at the opening ceremony: “We have done much as a region to combat the scourge of drugs. What we have achieved together is proof that as a closely inter-connected region, we need to work together towards our vision of a Drug-Free ASEAN.”
See the speech made by Guest of Honour Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister, Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs here.
CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
24 AUG 2015
Photo 1: ASEAN Delegates at the 36th ASOD. Photo credit: Home Team News
