The International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC) and its member Country Green Crescents actively participated in the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND69), held from 9 to 13 March 2026 in Vienna, Austria and online.  Throughout the session, 16 Country Green Crescents contributed to global drug policy discussions, including Public Association Against Harmful Habits Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan), Health & Economy (Bangladesh), Conectados Pela Vida (Brazil), Yayasan Green Crescent Indonesia (Indonesia), Green Crescent Colombia (Colombia), Çaşıl Ay Koomu (Kyrgyzstan), Stardom Association (Al Najm) (Lebanon), Pertubuhan Bulan Sabit Hijau Malaysia (Malaysia), Green Crescent Health Development Initiative (Nigeria), Rwanda Youth Impact (Rwanda), Madinaty (Tunisia), Türkiye Yeşilay Cemiyeti (Turkey), Green Crescent Uruguay (Uruguay), The Jordan Anti-Drugs Society (Jordan), Green Crescent Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe), and Green Crescent Colombia (Colombia). During the session, IFGC coordinated a comprehensive programme of activities addressing key global challenges in addiction prevention and treatment. A total of eight hybrid and online side events were organized directly by Country Green Crescents, while contributions through co-sponsorship increased this number to 12 side events overall. These sessions covered a wide range of themes, including early drug use risks among migrant youth, emerging cocaine trafficking routes in Africa and Asia, poly-substance use and treatment systems, protection of children in vulnerable situations, synthetic drug prevention strategies, youth involvement in the drug economy, and the role of families and communities in strengthening resilience. Country Green Crescents leading these efforts included organizations from Lebanon, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Jordan, Brazil, and Malaysia. In addition to side events, Country Green Crescents actively contributed to the formal proceedings of the Commission. Three written statements were submitted, including a joint statement on behalf of Green Crescents from Bangladesh, Jordan, Lebanon, Sudan, and Indonesia, highlighting the financial and bureaucratic barriers faced by ECOSOC-accredited NGOs from low- and middle-income countries in accessing United Nations processes. Further written contributions emphasized the importance of youth-led and community-based prevention programmes and framed drug use prevention as a fundamental human right. Two oral statements were also delivered during plenary sessions. The Turkish Green Crescent Society underlined its extensive experience in prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, while calling for stronger, systematic prevention policies. Stardom Association (Lebanon) also delivered an oral intervention, reflecting the key messages of the joint statement on participation challenges. As part of on-site engagement in Vienna, Lebanon and Malaysia Green Crescents participated physically in the sessions, further strengthening representation from the network. In parallel, the Turkish Green Crescent Society hosted an Art for Awareness exhibition, highlighting the role of creative approaches in raising awareness and supporting prevention efforts. Through these diverse contributions, IFGC and Country Green Crescents reinforced international cooperation and demonstrated the critical role of civil society in shaping inclusive, evidence-based, and human rights-oriented drug policies.

We are excited to announce that the International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC) and its member Country Green Crescents will actively participate in the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND69), taking place from 9 to 13 March 2026 in Vienna, Austria, and online. The International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC) and its member Country Green Crescents took part in the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND69), held from 9 to 13 March 2026 in Vienna, Austria, and online. Our Country Green Crescents will host and contribute to several side events highlighting prevention, treatment, and policy solutions for substance use among youth and communities worldwide. You can find below the sessions you can join both in person or online, featuring the participation of IFGC Members including Conectados Pela Vida, Green Crescent Health Development Initiative, Green Crescent Colombia, Green Crescent Indonesia, Green Crescent Society, Green Crescent Uruguay, Green Crescent Malaysia, Green Crescent Zimbabwe, , Madinaty, Jordan Anti-Drugs Society, Public Association Against Harmful Habits Azerbaijan, Stardom Association, Turkish Green Crescent Society, and Caşıl Ay Koomu: Monday, 9 March, 3–4 pm (Online)Cocaine’s New Frontiers: Emerging Trafficking Routes, New Markets and Policy Responses in Africa and AsiaOrganized by the Green Crescent Health Development Initiative with support from the Jordan Anti-Drugs Society, the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, the University of Lagos, and Green Crescent IndonesiaJoin here The side event examines the expanding global cocaine trade—particularly its spread into Africa and Asia—and seeks to develop evidence-based recommendations that combine law enforcement with prevention, treatment, and community resilience strategies. Monday, 9 March, 3–4 pm (Hybrid, M0E05)Youth on the Move Facing Early Drug Use Risks in Transit and Host CountriesOrganized by Al Najm with support from the International Organization for Migration, Community Alliances for Drug Free Youth (CADFY), and the Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation (KKAWF)Join here  This side event explores how global mobility increases young people’s vulnerability to early drug use and aims to promote coordinated, youth-sensitive prevention strategies that strengthen early intervention and international cooperation for young people on the move. Tuesday, 10 March, 3–4 pm (In-person)Drug Use Prevention as a Human Right: Life Skills to Protect Children and YouthOrganized by the Turkish Green Crescent Society with support from CADCA, Planet Youth, Proyecto Hombre, and the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association   Tuesday, 10 March, 11:30 am–12:30 pm (Hybrid, M7)Rethinking Treatment Systems and Policy Design in the Context of Poly-Substance Use and Co-Occurring Addictive BehaviorOrganized by Green Crescent Zimbabwe with support from the European Federation of Therapeutic Communities, the San Patrignano Foundation, and the Turkish Green Crescent SocietyJoin hereThis side event examines the growing challenge of poly-substance use and co-occurring addictive behaviours, aiming to promote evidence-informed, person-centred policies that better support integrated and responsive treatment systems.   Wednesday, 11 March, 10–11 am (Online)Protecting Children in Vulnerable Situations: Family and Community Prevention in Urban SettingsOrganized by the Public Association Against Harmful Habits Azerbaijan with support from Conectados Pela Vida, Green Crescent Society, Madinaty, and the Singapore Anti-Narcotics AssociationJoin hereThis side event examines how family- and community-based prevention approaches in urban settings can reduce children’s exposure to drug-related risks by strengthening protective relationships, safe environments, and coordinated support systems. Wednesday, 11 March, 11:30 am–12:30 pm (Hybrid, M0E100)Synthetic Drugs and Youth Protection – Evidence-Based Strategies for Prevention, Resilience, and Sustainable DevelopmentOrganized by the Jordan Anti-Drugs Society with support from the International Federation of Green Crescent, the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs, and other partnersJoin hereThis side event addresses the growing threat of synthetic drugs by promoting evidence-based prevention, international cooperation, and youth-focused strategies to strengthen community resilience and support balanced drug policies.   Wednesday, 11 March, 4:30–5:30 pm (Online)Youth Recruitment into the Drug Economy: Violence, Prevention Gaps and Policy Lessons from Latin AmericaOrganized by Conectados Pela Vida with support from Green Crescent Colombia, Green Crescent Uruguay, and other partnersJoin hereThis side event examines how structural inequalities drive youth recruitment into the drug economy in Latin America and highlights prevention-focused policies—such as education retention, youth employment, and community-based interventions—to reduce these risks. Thursday, 12 March, 11:30 am–12:30 pm (Hybrid, M0E79)Families at the Centre: Strengthening Mental Health Literacy for Addiction Prevention and Community ResilienceOrganized by Green Crescent Malaysia with support from international partners including Green Crescent Indonesia, CADFY, and the Drug Free America FoundationJoin hereThis side event highlights how strengthening families’ mental health literacy can support early intervention, reduce stigma, and enhance family-centred prevention of substance use. Through these events, IFGC and Country Green Crescents aim to share expertise, foster international cooperation, and promote innovative, evidence-based approaches to addiction prevention and youth protection.  

The first webinar of 2026 organized through the collaboration of the International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC) and Green Crescent Counseling Center (YEDAM) was held online on 26 February 2026 under the title “Violence Behind the Screen: Understanding Cyberbullying.” The event brought together representatives of Country Green Crescents from different regions to address the growing issue of cyberbullying. During the one-hour interactive session, participants examined the individual, social, and psychological impacts of cyberbullying, as well as the recognition of digital violence and bullying behaviors, victim–perpetrator dynamics, and preventive and protective approaches. The webinar focused on strengthening professional understanding of online risks, particularly in relation to young people and vulnerable groups. The session was presented by YEDAM Psychologist İrem Dönmez, who shared both theoretical perspectives and practical insights for professionals working in psychosocial support and prevention. The webinar was moderated by Antonella Alexandre, President of Uruguay Green Crescent, and concluded with a Q&A session in which participants shared experiences and reflections from their respective countries.