“Drugs and Crime as a Threat to Development
Shaheen Afishan Attends High Level United Nations Thematic Debate in New York
Shaheen Afishan, United Nations Representative of the Foundation for the Support of the United Nations (FSUN), attended the high-level United Nations General Assembly Interactive Thematic Debate on“Drugs and Crime as a Threat to Development” and launch of the 2012 UN World Drug Report on June 26, 2012, at th e United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
The objective of this event convened on the UN International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, was to highlight the impact of drugs and crime on poverty alleviation and the Millennium Development Goals. During the high level meeting, a discussion on ways of improving the international community’s coordinated efforts to address drugs and crime’s adverse impact on development was a major focus.
This high level Interactive Thematic Debate was attended by the highest level of dignitaries from the United Nations and its member states. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon gave the welcome address, followed by a welcome remarks from H.E. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the 66th General Assembly.
During the event, Ms. Afishan had the opportunity of a brief interaction with H.R.H. Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol of Thailand, Chair of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, who was among the dignitaries present. Other dignitaries present were H.E. Luis Alfonso de Alba, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations, H.E. Jim McLay, Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations, H.E. Carmen Bujan, Chair of the Commission of Narcotic Drugs, Mr. Otaviano Canuto, Vice President of the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Network, World Bank.
Ms. Afishan also had the opportunity of meeting with the staff of the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations, giving her the chance to get to know more about the current initiatives of the Mission, most specifically on women's issues and advancement. Janet C. Salazar, FSUN's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, joined Ms. Afishan as delegates to this high level event.
