Moroccan Expert Takes on Global Drug Policy Challenges
In a significant development for international drug policy, Moroccan expert Khalid Tinasti has been elected to a United Nations panel dedicated to overhauling global drug regulations. This pivotal appointment took place during the 69th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) held in Vienna earlier this March. The newly formed 19-member independent panel, which emerged from Resolution 68/6 adopted in March 2025 at the behest of Colombia, is tasked with providing actionable recommendations by 2027 regarding the future of the international drug control framework. This initiative represents the first comprehensive review of drug policy since the establishment of the UN drug conventions.
At the age of 40, Tinasti, hailing from Casablanca, brings an impressive array of expertise to this panel, which consists of distinguished professionals from diverse global backgrounds. His knowledge encompasses international law, security policy, and public health, making him a valuable asset in navigating the complex technical and political landscape of drug reform. The panel's mission is to critically assess the current drug control system's limitations and propose necessary reforms while respecting the foundational principles of the three existing international drug control conventions.
A Distinguished Career in Global Policy
Tinasti's educational journey began in Paris, and he is now based in Geneva, where he has cultivated a robust international reputation. His career commenced in the office of the French Minister for Urban Affairs during the Fillon administration, after which he shifted focus to global policy challenges. Notably, he led the Global Commission on Drug Policy for nearly ten years, uniting 22 former heads of state, including luminaries such as Kofi Annan, Juan Manuel Santos, and Olusegun Obasanjo. He later chaired the Climate Overshoot Commission, which was headed by Pascal Lamy.
In addition to his leadership roles, Tinasti has chaired the Programme Advisory Panel of the Robert Carr Fund, which concentrates on HIV prevention within at-risk populations. He is also an active member of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s New Generation Network. His scholarly contributions have been published in prestigious journals, including The Lancet, Addiction, and the Brown Journal of World Affairs. He authored the Research Handbook on International Drug Policy and regularly writes for prominent publications like Le Monde, Le Temps, and L’Économiste. Furthermore, he has held teaching positions at the University of Geneva and currently lectures at the Graduate Institute (IHEID) while serving as a David F. Musto Fellow at Shanghai University.
As reported by en.yabiladi.com.
