In a statement issued by the permanent representation of India to the United Nations in New York, it was announced that India has been elected as a member of the Commission on Narcotic Substances and the Programme Coordinating Board of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs oversees the implementation of international drug control conventions, while the Programme Coordinating Board of UNAIDS supports and sets the strategic course for a worldwide response to HIV/AIDS. The top statistics body of the UN has also elected India for a four-year term.

The statement stated that the Statistical Commission is the highest body dealing with international statistical activities and is in charge of establishing standards in the statistics industry. The last time India participated in the Statistical Commission was in 2004. The stamen added that the vast experience India has in official statistics, particularly in light of its variety and demography, will be beneficial for the operations of the Statistical Commission.

Reacting to the election, Minister of External Affairs, Mr. Jaishankar, stated that the support that they received in the election reflects the trust reposed by the international community in India`s expertise in these bodies. He also added that it is the nation’s expertise in the fields of statistics, diversity, and demography that has earned it a seat on the UN Statistical Commission.

India secured 46 out of 53 votes in the recently concluded UN Statistical Commission election, easily defeating competitors ROK (23), China (19), and UAE (15).

(Source: https://theprint.in/world/india-elected-as-member-to-uns-programme-on-hiv-aids/1500682/ )