US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Friday he will host a virtual ministerial meeting on July 7 to launch a Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats.
“This coalition seeks to unite countries worldwide in a concerted effort to prevent the illicit manufacture and trafficking of synthetic drugs, identify emerging drug trends, and respond effectively to their public health impacts,” he said in a statement.
Blinken added that “following the establishment of the Global Coalition, the United States will engage in consultations with participating countries to prioritize specific, concrete actions to address synthetic drug threats.” He indicated that the Global Coalition plans to reconvene on the margins of the 78th UN General Assembly and the March 2024 UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs.
He noted that “these gatherings will provide critical platforms to share progress and achievements with a wider audience and facilitate the advancement of international drug policy.” “Synthetic drugs represent a grave and growing risk to the health and safety of Americans and people around the world,” he remarked.
He affirmed that the US “wishes to engage with all countries concerned about the public health and security risks associated with synthetic drugs. We encourage partners to join this coalition and contribute to building a safer world.”
Source: Kuwait News Agency