AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DRUGS (ANCD)

Dear Distinguished Guests and Conference Delegates

It is a great honour to be here today to assist in the opening of the 24th International Federation of Non-Government Organisations World Conference.

On behalf of the Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable Julia Gillard and the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Kevin Rudd, I would like to acknowledge the presence today of the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Honourable Tan Sri Dato’' Haji Muhyiddin Bin Hj. Mohd. Yassin

I would also like to acknowledge the many distinguished representatives here today from the United Nations, the Australian National Council on Drugs, PEMADAM, the National Anti Drug Agency of Malaysia, PENGASIH and the Malaysian AIDS Council – all of whom have contributed greatly in the preparations and organisation of this conference. I also welcome all conference delegates that have travelled to Malaysia and the local delegates that are here today to be part of this very important international conference. Your presence and contributions are greatly appreciated.

Let me please say at the outset that this is a very important conference with a very important programme. Its potential to make real and positive changes in the lives of literally millions of people in this Region and around the world facing the many problems and harms associated with drug use is opportunity none of us should underestimate.

Recent United Nations reports have shown us that an estimated 6% of the world’s population consumes illicit drugs.  That equates to as many as 250 million people. Within this group, there are a lot of people whom need our help.

What is very troubling is that it is also estimated that the illicit drug market is now worth over $300 billion dollars a year. I know that such an amount of money is hard to imagine but it effectively means unlimited resources for organised crime which makes your efforts and contributions in addressing illicit drug use even more critical.

Closer to home, we now know that more than half of the world’s heroin users live in Asia. Consumption is also increasing in countries surrounding Afghanistan such as Pakistan, Iran and in Central Asia.

To compound this problem, the Asian region is the place where almost half or an estimated 20 million people have used amphetamine type stimulants including methamphetamine and ecstasy. There is a real threat facing the region from amphetamine type stimulants and other synthetic drugs.

When we talk about these illicit drugs and their impact on people, families and communities it is necessary to remember the effect they have can have on regional and national security, stability and development. Indeed, in the aid arena, the Millennium Development Goals which were adopted by world leaders in the year 2000 for realization in 2015 provide a benchmark for tackling extreme poverty and a framework for the international community to work together. These Millennium Development Goals if reached will also reduce the harm and impact from illicit drugs around the world. In essence, millions of people lives are reliant on our resolve to meet these goals. This is why it continues to be a firm commitment of the Australian Government and our support for this conference, through its principal advisory body, the Australian National Council on Drugs, is so strong.

I note that the theme of this year’s conference is "Strength, Unity and Diversity: Time for an International Voice for Non-Government Organisations’ and this is both very appropriate and very timely.

The role of Non-Government Organisations in assisting and advising the community, as well as providing an opportunity for them to have their views at the decision table of government, is vital.

Non-Government Organisations are most often at the frontline in providing services and assistance to those experiencing the pain and harms that illicit drugs can all too often bring.

Non-Government Organisations understand and often represent the needs of clients and their families to ensure governmental responses can effectively address illicit drug use, HIV and a range of other potential harms.

 I applaud the efforts, empathy and spirit of Non-Government Organisations in this most difficult of environments at both the service delivery level and representing the views of people using drugs and their families

This conference also further strengthens the bond between Australia and Malaysia and I commend the Australian National Council on Drugs, their Malaysian partners, and the sponsors of this conference for their support and hard work in bringing this important conference together.

Finally, I would like to congratulate Mr Garth Popple from Australia as the incoming President of the International Federation of Non-Government Organisations.

I know he is receiving strong support from the Australian National Council on Drugs, and in particular the Chairman, Dr John Herron and his colleague Associate Professor Robert Ali, for this demanding role.

I wish him and all of you in the International Federation of Non-Government Organisations a productive and rewarding Presidency and conference and look forward to hearing the outcomes from your deliberations and discussions. I can commit to you today to taking the resolutions of this conference to the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Australia.

Thank you for your time and the opportunity to share my thoughts with you.

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