The history of the Colombo Plan for Cooperative Economic and Social Development in Asia and the Pacific, one of the oldest regional inter-governmental organizations dates far back as 1950, when the idea was first conceived to enhance economic and social development of the countries of the region. The Colombo Plan was established on 1 July 1951 by Australia, Canada, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom and currently has expanded to include 26 member countries including non-Commonwealth countries and countries belonging to regional groupings such as ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). The Colombo Plan is a partnership concept of self-help and mutual-help in development aimed at socio-economic progress of its member countries.
DAP is part of the Colombo Plan and is the only regional intergovernmental programme exclusively aimed at capacity building for drug demand reduction in the Asia and Pacific Region. During the last three decades the DAP has assisted member counties in initiating the process of policy evolution, in finding appropriate solutions on a bilateral and/or multi-lateral basis and in encouraging national efforts among member countries towards drug demand reduction.
Since its inception, DAP has focused on responding to the changing needs of member countries that face multi-faceted problems in regards to illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse. DAP has embarked on several innovative strategies in six arms.
The services in these networks are also extended to non-member countries, keeping up with the Colombo Plan mandate of self-help and mutual-help in development.
The Colombo Plan is hosting a Side Event during the 66th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). The event will be held on Monday 13 March 2023 from 13:00 -13:50 CEST | AT ROOM MOE79
The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board have proudly planned to conduct an International Symposium on Drug-Related Studies 2022 will be held from 1st and 2nd December 2022 in Colombo, Sri Lanka to facilitate the exchange of information among professionals in the fields of medical, scientific, law, justice, social sciences, education, treatment and rehabilitation and other related services on drug supply control and demand reduction, in coll
Presented as part of the Uniting the global community to face the challenge of addiction event, online, on 16th May, 2022
Partner Profile Colombo Plan
Partner Profiles
Our partners introduce their missions, programs, and resources to support the workforce and activities.
Background: Globally, an alarming number of pharmaceutically active compounds are now routinely added to the street drugs of abuse, cocaine and heroin. In some cases, seventeen (17) or more potentially toxic compounds are found in a single street purchased bag or block of cocaine or heroin.