UN Selects Egypt as 1st Country to Implement CHAMPS Initiative for Child Protection

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has chosen Egypt as the first country in the world to implement the CHAMPS initiative, a global effort aimed at enhancing prevention systems for children up to the age of 18.

The announcement was made during the 68th session of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), currently being held at the UN headquarters in Vienna.

Dr. Maya Morsy, Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity and Chairperson of the Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Abuse, delivered a recorded speech at the event. She expressed her delight at Egypt’s selection, emphasizing the country's commitment to protecting children and adolescents from drug abuse and other societal risks. She also welcomed Dr. Ghada Waly, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNODC, along with Egyptian Ambassador to Austria Mohamed Nasr and other distinguished delegates.

Dr. Ghada Waly officially opened the 68th INCB session, which is being attended by 2,000 participants, including ministers of foreign affairs and interior, diplomats, and experts from around the world. The Egyptian delegation includes Dr. Amr Othman, Director of the Fund for Combating and Treating Addiction and Abuse, Major General Mohamed Zohair, Director of the General Administration for Drug Control, and Medhat Wahba, Managing Editor of Youm7 Newspaper.

In her speech, Dr. Morsy highlighted the importance of the CHAMPS initiative, describing it as a groundbreaking, evidence-based approach to safeguarding children from infancy through adolescence. She noted that the initiative serves as a beacon of prevention, reinforcing children’s resilience and protecting them from substance abuse and other developmental risks.

Egypt’s selection by UNODC underscores the country’s pivotal role in global drug prevention efforts and its commitment to international obligations in combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking. The initiative, launched in October 2024, was officially adopted by Egypt in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development, the Minister of Health and Population, and the UN Under-Secretary-General.

Dr. Morsy reaffirmed Egypt’s unwavering political commitment to the CHAMPS initiative, emphasizing that it aligns with the nation’s dedication to securing a safer and healthier future for its children.