Senior officials of the signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding on Drug Control among Greater Mekong Subregion (MOU process) flocked to Da Nang city in central Vietnam on May 12 for a three-day meeting.

The MOU process partners include the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), China , Laos , Myanmar , Cambodia and Thailand plus the host Vietnam .

Deputy Minister of Public Security Sen. Lieut. Gen. Le The Tiem opened the meeting by highlighting progress made by Vietnam in the fight.

Vietnam has virtually weeded out the opium poppies in a sustainable way, put under control the number of drug users, which shows a decreasing trend. and increased the efficiency in the fight against drug crimes.

The result has marked the country’s 15 years joining the MOU process and its strong determination in the fight as well as assistance from other MOU partners, especially the UN, said the senior anti-drug squad official.

He also pledged to fulfil commitments and agreements Vietnam has signed with other MOU partners to become an active member and contribute to the regional drug control.

The opening day witnessed Vietnam elected as Chairman of the on-going MOU Senior Officials Meeting.

High on the agenda of the meeting are the exchange of experience and progress made in drug control in individual country, law execution and review of the Plan of Action.

The participants are also expected to raise initiatives in partnership in order to show determination and commitments made by MOU member governments and the UNODC in the regional drug control.

The event offers an opportunity for MOU members and UNODC to exchange views on strategic issues on cooperation in drug control and increasing efficiency in bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the region as well as forecast on new developments in drug-related crime so as to work out appropriate policies and measures against drug crime in the region./.