(5-2-2025, Vienna)
Ambassador U Min Thein, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations Office in Vienna attended a briefing by the International Narcotic Control Board (INCB) on its Annual Report and Precursors Report for 2024 at the Vienna International Centre, Austria on 5 February 2025.
After the briefing made by the Vice President of INCB, the Myanmar Permanent Representative explained that the government is addressing the challenges related to opium poppy cultivation, synthetic drug production and drug abuse as a national duty. The government is reviewing its Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law to align with international standards. The government amended its related rules in 2023 and is developing a National Drug Control Strategic Plan. Effective drug control measures are underway, including the use of advanced modern detection equipment to identify drug trafficking activities. The Myanmar Tatmadaw, Myanmar Police Force, and relevant departments have engaged local ethnic communities through educational campaigns, leading to the destruction of 6,181 acres of opium poppy fields during the 2023-2024 opium poppy cultivation season. Meanwhile, alternative development programs continue to provide support to the affected communities.
The Permanent Representative further elaborated that the government has prescribed 39 types of chemicals as controlled substances and is enforcing strict inspections to prevent the illegal entry and diversion of these chemicals. Similar measures are carried out in exporting precursors through the Pre-Export Notification (PEN) system. Myanmar has completed 40 drug special operations from 2013 to 2024 as part of its ongoing efforts to combat drug-related activities.
He also discussed the involvement of some ethnic armed groups in drug-related activities and the government’s annual destruction of all seized drugs and related substances on June 26, in observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Additionally, Myanmar continues to strengthen its cooperation with neighboring countries, ASEAN, Mekong and BIMSTEC countries, as well as the United Nations and other international drug control agencies, in its fight against drug problems.
