On June 2nd, Ms Ghada Waly announced that she will step down as the Executive Director of the UNODC, a position she has held since February 2020. She was the first women, first Arab, and first African to lead the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and has been a strong advocate for prevention and women’s rights during her mandate. Her dedication to a human rights oriented public health approach, enhancing a continuum of care through prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery, as well as the recognition and involvement of civil society organisations has been at the centre of her term.

Acknowledging her positive impact during her term, we have shared a Letter of Appreciation and Recognition, undersigned by 143 Organisations and Experts, on July 9th.

---

Dear Ms. Waly,

On behalf of the undersigned organisations from civil society committed to a human rights oriented public health approach, enhancing a continuum of care through prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery, we write to express our deep appreciation for your outstanding leadership as Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna.

Your tenure has been marked by your resolute commitment to balanced, evidence-based responses to drug related challenges, grounded in public health, human rights and the rule of law with commitment to both supply and demand reduction strategies. By advancing integrated policies across the spectrum, you have helped safeguard the lives and well-being of communities across the globe. Your clear and consistent emphasis on prevention, treatment, recovery and reintegration has not only strengthened support for the continuum of care, it also reaffirms drug policy as a matter of social justice and human dignity and illustrates prevention as an integral aspect of a human rights approach.

At a time when multilateralism, public health systems and the space for civil society face mounting challenges, you have called upon Member States to unite across shared goals. Through your leadership, you have reminded the global community of the power of collaboration, inclusivity, and hope. The launch of the CHAMPS initiative, support for civil society engagement, and your positive reception of the Oviedo Declaration are just a few examples of your commitment to inclusive dialogue and progress. Your strong voice for unity has been instrumental in preserving international cooperation and in fostering a constructive dialogue even amid global uncertainty.

As a prevention champion, you have demonstrated how investing in early intervention and community resilience can shape healthier, safer societies. Your support for multisectoral approaches has helped position prevention not just as a technical intervention but as a core responsibility of states in upholding health, equity and human rights. This vision was clearly reflected in the 2025 CND resolution “Protecting children from the Illicit drug challenge”.

Under your leadership, prevention has rightly been elevated as a cornerstone of justice and public health, adhering to the Right of the Child and including the importance of creating comprehensive support for children and youth including those affected by caregiver drug use.
Moreover, your dedication to ensuring that the most vulnerable populations and underserved regions, especially those affected by conflict, poverty, or environmental displacement are not left behind is deeply commendable. Your recognition of these groups in your policy efforts reflects both compassion and a grounded understanding of global realities. Your continued emphasis on gender responsive strategies and the lived realities of women and girls affected by drug use have moved the global community and created space for us as civil society in the development of more just and inclusive responses.

As the first woman and the first person from the African Continent to lead the UNODC, your appointment has carried both symbolic and substantive weight. You have not only fulfilled this role with distinction but redefined it embodying the importance of diverse leadership in international institutions.

Thank you, Ms. Waly, for your steadfast service and for the meaningful, lasting impact your leadership has on global drug policy. We stand ready to continue our collaboration with the UNODC and hope that your successor will build on this legacy – championing a comprehensive continuum of care from prevention to recovery with civil society as a vital partner at every step.

With respect and sincere appreciation,

Undersigned organisations

1. A New Think International Foundation, Nigeria
2. Advocacy For Change Foundation, Kenya
3. ,African Youths Initiative on Crime Prevention, Nigeria
4. Afya Care Foundation, Kenya
5. Alternative to Addiction Creating Centre, India
6. Ares do Pinhal, Portugal
7. ARTM Macau, Macau
8. Associação ANtídoto, Portugal
9. Associação para Integridade de Crianças e Jovens em Angola (AICJA), Angola
10. Association of Anti-Drug Abuse Coalitions of the Philippines Inc, Philippines
11. Association Proyecto Hombre, Spain
12. BARNALY, Bangladesh
13. Blue Cross Society of Tanzania, Tanzania
14. Bring Light Save Life, Cameroon
15. Busaosowo Foundation, Nigeria
16. CADFY, USA
17. Caleb Initiative for Drug Abuse Awareness, Nigeria
18. Carlton Hall Consulting, USA
19. Child Space Organization, Kenya
20. Clínica Jorge Jaber, Brazil
21. Compagnon dAction pour le Dveloppement Familial, DRC
22. Crisis Resolving Centre (CRC), Tanzania
23. Dalgarno Institute, Australia
24. Dechoice Agro Farm, Nigeria
25. Directorate of Health Services Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria
26. Youth Council for Anti Narcotics (YOCFAN), Pakistan
27. Drug Free America Foundation, USA
28. Drug Free Nigeria, Nigeria
29. Drug Policy Centre, Sweden
30. Drug Prevention Network of Canada, Canada
31. Eli community development Association, Uganda
32. Empower India, India
33. Endless Welfare Foundation, Pakistan
34. European Federation of Therapeutic Communities (EFTC), Greece
35. FDPS, USA
36. Fighting Against Drug Use in The Communities, Namibia
37. Fourth Wave Foundation, India
38. FRIENDS, Sri Lanka
39. Global Action for Sustainable Development-GASD, Liberia
40. Governance Watch, Ghana
41. Green Crescent Health Development Initiative, Nigeria
42. Green Crescent Malaysia, Malaysia
43. Greenfield Hospital of Psychiatry, Pakistan
44. Hayat Rehab Clinic (HRC), Pakistan
45. Heart in Passion, Zimbabwe
46. HLPS, Pakistan
47. IMPACT VOICES – The Social Innovation Intermediary, Sri Lanka
48. Independent Order of True Templars (IOTT), South Africa
49. Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc., USA
50. Institute for Research and Development “Utrip”, Slovenia
51. Jeunesse pour la paix et le développement du monde rural, DRC
52. Journey NGO, Maldives
53. JTS, Bangladesh
54. Junis, Sweden
55. Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation (KKAWF), Pakistan
56. Kenya Association of Muslim Medical Professionals, Kenya
57. Kenya Economic Youth Network (KEYNET), Kenya
58. Keringet Sub County Hospital, Kenya
59. Kiccpsychological Counselling Center, Niger
60. Life Challenge Nigeria, Nigeria
61. Local education and economic development organization -LEEDO, Bangladesh
62. Makhdoom Counseling Center, Pakistan
63. Mediterranean Foundation for the Survival of African Migrants, Nigeria
64. Mon-Yhue Education Foundation, Liberia
65. Movendi International, Sweden
66. Nakuru Drop-In Center, Kenya
67. NCCDIS, Nigeria
68. News Vision, Bangladesh
69. NGO Celebrate Recovery, Bosnia and Herzegovina
70. Nonso’s Safe Haven, Nigeria
71. Nusroto Al-Anashid Association, Lebanon
72. ONG RENAISSANCE AFRICAINE, RENAF/KIVU, DRC
73. PACTA UGANDA, Uganda
74. Parent-Child Intervention Centre, Nigeria
75. Peace Inn, Pakistan
76. Pehchan Nesha Mukti Kendra, India
77. People to People International, Kenya
78. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippines
79. Rafique Research and Educational Society, Pakistan
80. Ready to Serve Humanity, Nigeria
81. Reclaiming Futures Nigeria, Nigeria
82. RecoverIT, Nigeria
83. RNS, Sweden
84. Sahkar Social Welfare Association, Pakistan
85. SAM, USA
86. San Patrignano Foundation, Italy
87. Save Our Society From Drugs, USA
88. Secure the Future International Initiative, Nigeria
89. Shine IRCA, India
90. Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA), Singapore
91. Siripa Sewana Drug Rehabilitation Centre, Sri Lanka
92. Slum Child Foundation, Kenya
93. Stampout Drug Abuse Initiative, Nigeria
94. STAND, South Africa
95. Stay Blessed, India
96. Students Campaign Against Drugs (SCAD), Kenya
97. Sub-Saharan Drug Abuse Research & Consultancy Center, Ghana
98. Support Persons in Trauma Initiative, Nigeria
99. Synergie Des Femmes de la Societe Civile, DRC
100. Tanzania Organization of Serving Orphans and Vulnerable Children (TOSOVC), Tanzania
101. The Catalyst Men Network International, Nigeria
102. The Jordan Anti Drugs Society, Jordan
103. The Reformed Drug and Substance Abuse Initiative, Nigeria
104. TruPurge, USA
105. Turkish Green Crescent Society, Türkiye
106. UDOM Health Club, Tanzania
107. Uganda Youth Development Link, Uganda
108. Ultimate Friends SG, Singapore
109. Unheard Voices Afrika, Kenya
110. Vision for Alternative Development (VALD), Ghana
111. World Federation Against Drugs (WFAD), Sweden
112. WFAD DRC, DRC
113. World Federation of Therapeutic Communities (WFTC), USA
114. Securing The Creative Goldmine in Youths Initiative, Nigeria
115. Mercy Sarah Foundation, Nigeria
116. A Hand to Humanity Association, Cameroon
117. Pakistan (anonymous)
118. Algeria (anonymous)
119. Pakistan (anonymous)
120. Sweden (anonymous)
121. India (anonymous)
122. United Kingdom (anonymous)
123. Pakistan (anonymous)
124. Democratic Republic of Congo (anonymous)
125. Sudan (anonymous)
126. India (anonymous)
127. Zambia (anonymous)
128. Maldives (anonymous)
129. Sierra Leone (anonymous)
130. Pakistan (anonymous)
131. Afghanistan (anonymous)
132. Togo (anonymous)
133. Pakistan (anonymous)
134. Pakistan (anonymous)
135. Kenya (anonymous)
136. Kenya (anonymous)
137. Nigeria (anonymous)
138. Kenya (anonymous)
139. Kenya (anonymous)
140. India (anonymous)
141. India (anonymous)
142. Pakistan (anonymous)
143. Malaysia (anonymous)
144. Nigeria (anonymous)
145. South Africa (anonymous)
146. Mexico (anonymous)
147. Zambia (anonymous)