UN Appoints 19-Member Expert Panel to Guide 2029 Global Drug Policy Review

The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) has officially revealed the 19 international experts who will serve on a newly formed panel, tasked with shaping the direction of global drug policy leading up to the 2029 review. This diverse group of professionals will play a pivotal role in providing recommendations that may influence key issues such as cannabis regulation, harm reduction, treaty flexibility, and criminal justice reform on a worldwide scale

Ambassador Andranik Hovhannisyan of Armenia, who chairs the CND, welcomed the panel’s creation, expressing optimism about its impact. "I am confident that the collective expertise and experience represented in this Panel will contribute to informed and constructive reflections in support of the Commission’s work," Hovhannisyan stated. The panel is designed to work independently, drawing on multidisciplinary backgrounds to ensure recommendations are clear, specific, and actionable

The selection process for the panel was rigorous, with ten members chosen by the CND, five appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, three named by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), and one selected by the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). Notable appointees include Allan Rock (Canada), who will serve as co-chair alongside Natalie Yu-Lin Morris-Sharma (Singapore). The panel includes experts from every region, such as César Arce Rivas (Paraguay), Jagjit Pavadia (India), and Milton Romani Gerner (Uruguay), reflecting the global scope of the initiative

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime will provide administrative support to the panel, which is expected to prepare a comprehensive set of recommendations to enhance implementation of international drug control treaties and related obligations. The outcome of their work will be closely watched, as the balance of perspectives among prohibitionists, public health advocates, and reformers could influence how seriously the international community addresses ongoing debates around cannabis and other controlled substances

From the OG Lab newsroom perspective, this expert panel’s recommendations could prove pivotal for the cannabis sector and broader drug policy reform. The mix of backgrounds among panelists suggests the 2029 review could mark a turning point in how the UN approaches both regulation and harm reduction. As the industry and advocacy groups monitor developments, the panel’s work is set to have lasting implications for global policy frameworks