Delegate: Rena Foo
Country: The Republic of Colombia
Committee: Special Political Committee
Topic A: International Drug Trade
The international drug trade and drug trafficking are persistent issues that go hand in hand and leave no part of the world untouched. United Nations’ “war on drugs” approach has always had the good intention of eliminating the illegal drug market but significant changes need to be made to its drug control policies. Drug trade readily affects human rights, health, security and the development of countries, therefore Colombia believes that the international community must comply with shared principles and responsibility. Colombia is an illicit producer of drugs like coca, opium, poppy, and cannabis. The country has earned the title as the world’s top producer of cocaine and coca cultivator. Ever since 2017, coca production has reached an all-time high, as Colombia continues to supply to nearly the entire US market and various other international markets. The main goal is to bring that down. Colombia has recently begun the NCPS or National Comprehensive Programme for the Substitution of Crops Used for Illicit Purposes. It is the institution with the authority to lead the planning, implementation, environmental regeneration and evaluation for crop substitution. There have been safer, larger eradication efforts, with 17, 642 hectares removed without the use of aerial chemicals and 37,000 hectares in total. Colombia encourages the participation of communities and institutions that combat corruption and trafficking. In order to minimize the negative effects of the drug trade without harming the large economy trade can provide, the Republic of Colombia supports the general idea of these three solutions – the eradication of illicit crops, strengthening of national and international drug regulation programs and cooperation policies between countries that address exporting and importing situations. By cutting off the supply of illicit drugs from its roots, it ensures that the rest of the process will be completely halted. Eradication methods should not include the use of wide-spread harmful chemicals. Instead, involve the farmers and producers themselves, to manually remove the crops and not infringe on their overall wellbeing. Going along with eradication efforts, states should have detailed policies that regulate the production and dispersion of drugs, and involving all members that participate in these processes. It could include conditions on eradication, trade routes, exports/imports, and legalization. These programs should aim to find a middle ground that does not risk the health of others but also does not exterminate income. In order for the program to be efficient and truly successful, everyone must abide by their part, mutually reinforcing the nature of this authority. Since the drug problem is such an international, complementary issue, the cooperation of states involved in the trade process is vital. A large drug economy in an exporting country can result in a large drug market in a consumer country. Colombia encourages developed and stronger countries to provide financial strength for the regulation of drugs in countries that frequently produce and do not have the resources to combat the negative aftermath. Every state in the process must do their part, by doing so and coming to a mutual agreement, all can thrive.
- Rena Foo
