WHAT: The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the European Union (EU) and the Government of Japan are hosting a high-level side event titled “Deepening crisis: Mental health and substance use disorders paralysing Afghan society”. This event will be held on the sidelines of the 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, Austria.
The event will have a hybrid format, allowing for participation in person or online via Zoom. This panel discussion, featuring high-level speakers, aims to shed light on the latest developments in Afghanistan’s mental health and substance use crises. Its purpose is to consider policies, responses and operational challenges, emphasize key priorities and needs, and advocate for urgent action.
The round-table discussion offers a crucial opportunity for dialogue with global and national specialists, policy-makers and stakeholders to address critical gaps in access to and provision of mental health and substance use disorder services in Afghanistan.
WHEN: 21 March 2024, 13:30–14:20 CET (Vienna time)
WHERE: Vienna International Centre, M-building, BR-A, or virtually via Zoom
WHO:
Moderator:
Mr Tofiq Murshudlu, Regional Section for Europe, West and Central Asia, UNODC
Opening remarks:
Mr Peteris Ustubs, Director for Middle East, Asia and Pacific, Directorate General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), European Commission
Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean
Mr Jean-Luc Lemahieu, Director of the Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs, UNODC
Panel members:
Ms Raffaella Iodice, Chargée d'Affaires a.i. and Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Afghanistan
Mr Nobuyuki Kikuchi, Minister Counselor of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna
Dr Vladimir Poznyak, Unit Head, Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours, WHO
Ms Anja Busse, Programme Officer, Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section, UNODC
Dr Vail Al-Raas, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Coordinator, International Medical Corps – Afghanistan
Closing remarks:
Ms Anubha Sood, Country Representative, UNODC Afghanistan
Registration link to attend online: http://bit.ly/48Ekvst
Follow the event @WHOAfghanistan, @UNODC_COAFG, @EUinAfghanistan and @JapanGov on Facebook and Twitter.
Media contacts:
Joy Rivaca Caminade, Head of Communications, WHO Afghanistan
Email:
Nourhan El-Nagdy, Donor Communication Officer, WHO Afghanistan
Email:
Tim Gillmair, Press and Information Officer, EU Delegation to Afghanistan
Email:
