Qatar calls for global assistance for former Afghan poppy farmers, noting a decline in opium production. Envoy Al-Hammadi suggests alternative development programs to replace drug cultivation. Afghanistan remains a leading heroin source, prompting the need for sustainable economic solutions.
Qatar is urging the international community to assist Afghanistan in transitioning former poppy farmers to alternative livelihoods. At the UN’s Commission on Narcotic Drugs meeting in Vienna, Jassim Yaqoub Al-Hammadi, Qatar’s envoy, noted some progress in global drug control, citing a decline in opium production in Afghanistan, coupled with Syria’s efforts against captagon labs. Emphasizing the importance of international collaboration, Al-Hammadi encouraged support for Afghan farmers through development programs and alternatives to drug cultivation, stressing adherence to drug control agreements meant to curb narcotics globally.
Afghanistan has a longstanding history of opium poppy cultivation and has dominated the illicit drug production market for over two decades. In 2021, more than 90% of the world’s heroin came from Afghanistan, notably supplying 95% of Europe’s heroin market. Qatar’s call for support cites these alarming statistics to underline the need for sustainable economic alternatives that can reduce reliance on poppy cultivation and enhance social stability in the region.
In summary, Qatar’s appeal highlights the crucial need for international support to aid Afghanistan’s former poppy farmers transition to legitimate means of income. With the ongoing challenges posed by drug production in Afghanistan, collaborative efforts focusing on alternative development strategies are imperative. Qatar emphasizes that addressing these challenges requires commitment to international drug control efforts, thereby paving the way for a more stable and sustainable environment for Afghan communities.
Original Source: www.ariananews.af
