The Extraordinary Sessions 2021 of the Subsidiary Bodies of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (HONLEA and the Subcommission) (hereinafter referred to as the Extraordinary Sessions), organized by the Secretariat of the Governing Bodies of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, took place in Vienna on September 20-24, 2021.

The event in 2021 taking into account the constraints under the COVID-19 conditions was held at the Vienna International Center in a hybrid format (with partial in-person participation of delegates combined with virtual participation via videoconference).

The CARICC delegation participated in the Extraordinary Sessions remotely and attended HONLEA meetings in the regional sections Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the meeting with the participants of the Subcommission.

Participants at the Extraordinary Sessions pointed out that there is an increasing global trend of linkages between drug trafficking, corruption and other forms of organized crime, including human trafficking, trafficking in firearms, cybercrime, money laundering and, in some cases, terrorism, including money laundering in the context of terrorist financing.

The discussion of money laundering highlighted that the value of confiscated proceeds of crimes related to money laundering from drug trafficking globally remains low.

Participants' focus was also on the fact that the illegal use of information and communication technologies for illicit drug-related activities is growing in scope.

Furthermore, participants discussed the impact of COVID-19 in the regions on the implementation of efforts to prevent the aforementioned threats and the achievement of positive results of such efforts. 

Discussions on the margins of the extraordinary session were preceded by introductory speeches and presentations by UNODC representatives, and the meetings included the sharing of best practices, challenges and lessons learned by member states while implementing all international drug policy obligations, and capturing the growing threats of drug proliferation on a global scale. 

The week-long format of the event, which included a worldwide audience, there were held discussions with experts from member states in each regional group, UNODC experts, and international organizations.