Launch of the Eastern and Southern Africa Commission on Drugs (ESACD)

5 March 2023

Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim joined former South African president Kgalema Motlanthe, ex-Mozambican president Joaquim Chissano, former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark, and Michel Sidibe, a former executive director of UNAIDS, at the launch of the Eastern and Southern Africa Commission on Drugs (ESACD) held in Cape Town from 10 - 11 February, to facilitate cooperation and coordination among the member states in drug trafficking and abuse in the region.

The ESACD was established in 2012 to address the serious and multifaceted drug problem facing parts of Eastern and Southern Africa. The four current commissioners, Kgalema Motlanthe, Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique, Cassam Uteem of Mauritius and Quarraisha Abdool Karim aim to provide evidence-based high level and authoritative recommendations for drug policy reform and engage in high level strategic outreach and advocacy. 

The commission has identified four priority areas for its work:  strengthening drug law enforcement and interdiction efforts, improving drug treatment and rehabilitation services, enhancing regional cooperation and information sharing, and mainstreaming drug control into national policies and strategies. Listen to the media briefing here

Photo: At the press briefing: (from left) Former South African president Kgalema Motlanthe, Former Mozambican president Joaquim Chissano, Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark, and Dr Michel Sidibe, a former executive director of UNAIDS, at the launch of the Eastern and Southern Africa Commission on Drugs in Cape Town.