Strengthening Public Health and Security in the new African Union Strategy and Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention

ISSUP Global, in collaboration with the African Union, presents a webinar on Strengthening Public Health and Security: African Union Strategy and Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention.

Date: Thursday, 17th September, 2026

Time: 2 PM London | 4 PM EAT | 9 AM ET

Register for the Webinar

The webinar will give an overview of the development of a new African Union Strategy and Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention, designed to address emerging regional challenges, strengthen public health and human‑rights‑based approaches, Security and enhance cross‑border cooperation.

It will highlight regional priorities and emerging trends shaping Africa’s drug policy landscape with the hope of strengthening dialogue and coordination among African Union Member States, United Nations Agencies, Civil Society and technical partners. The webinar will outline processes involved in the development and implementation of the African Union Master Plan of Action and provide an overview of its strategic direction and key priority areas.

It will examine the implications of the framework for implementation at continental, regional and national levels, including the roles of governments, civil society, professional networks and development partners.

Particular attention will be given to how the Master Plan can support coordinated, balanced and evidence-informed responses across prevention, treatment, recovery support, public health, justice, security, crime prevention and supply reduction.

The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session, allowing participants to explore practical considerations for aligning policies, programmes and partnerships with the priorities of the Master Plan.

Intended audience:

• Policy-makers and government officials working in drug control, public health, justice and security
• Prevention, treatment and recovery support professionals
• Healthcare and social service professionals
• Law enforcement, crime prevention and supply reduction practitioners
• Researchers and academics
• Civil society, youth and community-based and faith-based organisations
• Regional organisations and international development partners

Learning outcomes:

By the end of the webinar, participants will:

1. Outline the purpose, scope and strategic direction of the African Union Master Plan on Drug Control and Crime Prevention.

2. Describe the processes involved in developing and advancing the Plan of Action.

3. Identify the Master Plan’s key priority areas and their relevance to drug control and crime prevention across Africa.

4. Explain the implications of the framework for implementation at regional and national levels.

5. Recognise opportunities for governments, ISSUP National Chapters, civil society, professional networks and development partners to support implementation and regional cooperation.

6. Strengthen dialogue and coordination among AU Member States, UN agencies, civil society, and technical partners.

    

Presenter:

Dr. Abel Basutu

Senior Drug Control Officer, Social Welfare, Drug Control and Crime Prevention Division, African Union Commission

Abel Basutu is an experienced development, governance, and drug-control professional with more than 20 years of multidisciplinary experience spanning communications, assurance and advisory services, and international development. His professional journey includes service with news organizations, Ernst and Young Chartered Accountants and United Nations agencies including the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the International Labour Organization (ILO). He provides strategic leadership in continental drug policy development and programme implementation, supporting African Union Member States in strengthening evidence-based responses to drug use, prevention, and treatment as well as crime prevention and criminal justice. He holds a PhD in Business Administration and currently serves as a Principal Policy Officer, Drug Control at the African Union Commission.

Moderator:

A/Prof. Goodman Sibeko

Scientific Advisor,

ISSUP Scientific Support Team.

Webinars and online events delivered and hosted by the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) are provided for informational purposes only. They are educational in nature and do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.