On the third day of the International Harm Reduction Conference, MENAHRA organized a side meeting for all participants from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The main objectives of the meeting were to network and discuss strategies for MENA representation at the upcoming 2016 United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on drugs.

 The meeting was attended by MENA delegates from eight different countries in the region (Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, and Tunisia). The meeting was facilitated by Ms. Sandy Mteirik from Skoun Lebanon, the MENA representative on the CSO task force for UNGASS 2016. Ms. Mteirik discussed the importance of the UNGASS meeting in evaluating the goals that were set at UNGASS 2009 and ensuring the representation of the needs of CSOs from the region.

During the meeting, the participants brainstormed and shared ideas on how to raise the voice of CSOs in the region and on how to organize feedback and ideas before UNGASS. The following recommendations were made:

– The results of the previously conducted survey will be shared with CSOs from the region
– Determine criteria for CSOs who want to take part in the preparation process
– Create a group email for the attending participants and any other organization that wishes to provide feedback and ideas
– Exchange relevant information between attending participants

In concluding the meeting, the MENAHRA Executive Director, Mr. Elie Aaraj, stated that UNGASS is an opportunity for empowerment, networking, and communication for the entire MENA region. Mr. Aaraj also stated that MENAHRA is prepared to play any role in the process that will ensure raising the voice of the region.

We kindly request you to contact us if you would like to take part in this process.