Topics such as health, crime, human rights, the new challenges, threats and realities of the drug phenomenon will be discussed with a view to adopting policies that address socio-economic issues and reflect the new terms of international debate.

UNGASS 2016 was convened at the initiative of Mexico, Colombia and Guatemala, which have worked together closely throughout the preparatory process along with other countries from Latin America and other regions. The discussions also benefited from proposals submitted by civil society and various UN organizations. 

In March, United Nations members reached an agreement in Austria on the document that the Commission on Narcotic Drugs will submit to the UN General Assembly for its consideration and adoption during this special session. Mexico was represented at the high-level segment of the session by the Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, Miguel Ruiz Cabañas Izquierdo, and the Deputy Attorney General for Legal and International Affairs of the PGR, José Alberto Rodríguez Calderón.

This Tuesday, April 19, President Enrique Peña Nieto will present Mexico’s official position. He will be accompanied by Foreign Secretary Claudia Ruiz Massieu; the Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, Miguel Ruíz Cabañas; the Undersecretary for North America, José Paulo Carreño, and the Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations, Juan José Gómez Camacho.

On Thursday, April 21, the President will head a meeting in Mexico City to present various executive decisions stemming from the forums that were held for a national debate on the use of marijuana.