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Last Updated: Apr 25, 2017 - 12:41:09 AM |
Bahamas Ambassador to the United Nations in New York and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), His Excellency Dr. Elliston Rahming (second left), delivers the Opening Address at the Opening Session of the 61st Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) which opened Monday (April 24) in Washington D.C., United States of America. The Bahamas serves as Chair of the 61st CICAD Session. Also pictured (from left) are Ambassador Adam Namm, Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission; His Excellency Nestor Mendez, Assistant Secretary-General of the Organization of American States; and Claudia Paz y Paz, Secretary of the Secretariat for Multidimensional Security.
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WASHINGTON, D.C., USA – The Bahamas remains committed to supporting the work of the Organization of American States (OAS) in identifying effective ways in which to address the world drug problem, Bahamas Ambassador to the United Nations in New York and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), His Excellency, Dr. Elliston Rahming said Monday.
Delivering the Opening Address at the 61st Regular Session of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), April 24, 2017, at the OAS Building in the U.S. Capital, Ambassador Rahming told a packed room of delegates that the Government of The Bahamas remains “actively engaged” with international drug control bodies such as the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (UNCND) and CICAD in addressing the global drug problem and that the country has established a National Anti-Drug Strategy (2012-2016) that provides a comprehensive, integrated approach aimed at countering the drug problem from a national standpoint in The Bahamas.
The Bahamas serves as Chair of the 61st CICAD Regular Session having ascended to the Chair during the 60th Regular Session held in Nassau in 2016. Delegates were applauded by OAS Assistant Secretary-General, His Excellency Nestor Mendez for the large turnout, who noted that the turnout reflected the commitment of Member States to effectively addressing the world drug problem.
“Since ascending to the chairmanship of CICAD, The Bahamas has continued to support and to collaborate with Member States in countering the hemispheric illegal drug trade,” Ambassador Rahming said.
“We look forward to continued engagement with the CICAD Executive Secretariat and are committed to supporting the work of the OAS in identifying effective ways in which to address the world drug problem.”
The Bahamas' delegation to the 61st Regular Session of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) following Monday's Opening Session. The Bahamas serves as Chair of the 61st Regular Session.
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Ambassador Rahming reminded delegates that the OAS Secretary-General (Mr. Luis Almagro), in his remarks during the 60th Regular Session of CICAD held in Nassau and in recognition of the 30th Anniversary of the Commission, admonished that significant interventions must be taken to curb or eliminate drug trafficking in the region and that all governments must partner in order to discourage drug trafficking.
Dr. Rahming continued: “Our concerted efforts toward the higher goal of winning the war against drugs should therefore serve as the basis upon which we as, Member States, design new policies, update regulatory frameworks and devise effective solutions suitable to the needs of our respective countries and the wider Western Hemisphere.
“Today, we gather as Member States of the OAS to continue ongoing dialogue on the complexity and diversity of the world drug problem, its direct and indirect effects on our societies, and national and hemispheric efforts in mitigating the negative impact of the drug trade.
“The Bahamas, in its capacity as Chair, in conjunction with the CICAD Executive Secretariat, looks forward to a productive three days of dialogue, particularly given the cross-section of drug related issues, strategies and approaches that will be presented during this 61st Regular Session.
“The Bahamas is hopeful that with the expertise shared throughout the Session, the hemisphere will be better poised in improving the effectiveness of our collective responses to the drug problem in the mutual interest of all Member States.”
Bahamas Ambassador to the United Nations in New York and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), His Excellency Dr. Elliston Rahming (centre) and OAS Assistant Secretary-General, His Excellency Nestor Mendez with members of The Bahamas' delegation and CICAD Secretariat following Monday morning's Opening Session. Pictured (from left) are: Dr. Bridgette Rolle, Head of Delegation (Bahamas); Ambassador Adam Namm, Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission; Ambassador Rahming; His Excellency Nestor Mendez; Angela Crowdy, Assistant Executive Secretary, CICAD; and Chet Neymour, Deputy Chief of Mission/Alternate Representative, Permanent Mission of The Bahamas.
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Ambassador Rahming said an important outcome of the 60th Regular Session of CICAD in Nassau was the successful adoption of the Hemispheric Action Plan on Drugs 2016-2020.
“It is anticipated that this new Action Plan will chart the course of drug control efforts in our region,” he stated.
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