Singapore hosts 46th Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Drug Matters (ASOD) and its related meetings

1. Singapore will be hosting the 46^th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Drug Matters (ASOD) and Its Related Meetings from 26 to 28 August 2025. Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, Mr K Shanmugam, was the Guest-of-Honour at the opening ceremony on 26 August and delivered the opening speech.

2. ASOD is an ASEAN sectoral body set up to discuss key challenges related to the drug scene and to share best practices and strategies to tackle these challenges. This is a milestone year for ASEAN in the fight against the scourge of drugs as ASEAN Member States come together to take stock of the 2016-2025 ASEAN Work Plan on Securing Communities Against Illicit Drugs¹.

3. Over the next few days, ASEAN senior officials will discuss plans to shape regional responses against liberalising drug attitudes, drug abuse and trafficking in the region. As Chair of the 46^th ASOD and Its Related Meetings, Singapore will be proposing several initiatives amongst ASEAN Member States. These include a proposed joint statement to be delivered by ASEAN at the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs in 2026, as well as a proposal to mark an annual ASEAN Remembrance Day to remember victims of drug abuse, similar to the one held in Singapore every third Friday of May each year. Through these initiatives, Singapore hopes that ASEAN can demonstrate its solidarity amidst the worsening global drug problem, and reinforce its zero-tolerance stance against drugs.

Photo 1 (CNB): ASEAN Delegates at the opening ceremony of the 46th ASOD and Its Related Meetings.

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
26 AUGUST 2025

[1] 2016-2025 ASEAN Work Plan on Securing Communities Against Illicit Drugs