Southeast Asia Informal Drug Policy Dialogue 2010, Bangkok

The initiative was modelled on the dialogue process in Europe that started in 2004. Purpose of the dialogue is to have an open-minded exchange of views on current dilemmas in national and international drug policy making and discuss strategies on how contradictions might be resolved.

The meetings are guided by 'Chatham House Rules' to encourage a free exchange of thoughts and confidentiality. Participants include government officials from Southeast Asia, representatives from the United Nations and other international institutions, and non-governmental drug policy experts and academics engaged in an open-minded debate about ongoing trends.

Final report 2nd Southeast Asian Informal Drug Policy Dialogue

The second meeting of the GTZ/TNI Southeast Asia Informal Drug Policy Dialogue initiative took place in Bangkok, Thailand, during 19-21 April 2010. The two-day Dialogue was divided into five sessions: 1- Developments in the region: Rethinking aims and targets of ACCORD; 2- A sustainable opium decline? Challenges for a ‘post-opium period’; 3- Crop substitution policies and the impact of Chinese agricultural investment; 4- Legal reform: Legislative challenges for Southeast Asia and experiences from other regions; and 5- Challenges for harm reduction & treatment.

The meeting was organised in cooperation with the Thai Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and the Mae Fah Luang Foundation. About 35 people attended, between policy officials and representatives of international development agencies, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions, coming from five countries in the region as well as from Europe and the US.

This report provides an overview of the views expressed during the meeting that taken together reflect the overall tone of the meeting.