In his message, Ban Ki-moon linked the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking to the recently adopted Sustainable development Goals. “Goal 3 calls on countries to strengthen the prevention and treatment of narcotic drug abuse, end AIDS and combat hepatitis. Goal 16 is designed to help to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies and institutions that can address illicit drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism,” he said.

On his part, UNODC Executive Director, Yuri Fedotov highlighted the findings of UNODC's World Drug Report 2016, released on 23 June. “In alarming detail the report shows a rise in the number of problem drug users from 27 to 29 million people aged 15-64; the disastrous resurgence of heroin in some regions; the use of the "Darknet" for drug trafficking; the appalling loss of life due to overdoses, and the disproportionate impact illicit drugs have on women, among many others challenges.”

According to UNODC, Guinea‐Bissau remains on the top of the international agenda due to its highly unstable political situation and the observed cocaine trafficking.

In its last 2267 Resolution on Guinea-Bissau, the Security Council reiterated its call upon its authorities to implement and review national legislations and mechanisms to more effectively combat transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking and money-laundering, which threaten security and stability in Guinea-Bissau and in the subregion.

The Security Council also called upon the international community to enhance cooperation with Guinea-Bissau to enable it to ensure control of air traffic and surveillance of maritime security within its jurisdiction, in particular to fight drug trafficking and transnational organized crime.