Adopted resolutions laid bare deep political fault lines, particularly around harm reduction, human rights and references to sustainable development. The longstanding “Vienna Consensus” has given way to routine voting, reflecting wider geopolitical tensions while weakening the ability of a small number of states to block reform. The establishment of an independent expert panel in 2025 to review the global drug control system underlines the importance of this moment. The 2026 session reveals a fractured landscape but also one in which more progressive approaches to drug policy are beginning to find space.
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