The 2025 meeting of CICAD’s Group of Experts on Chemical Substances and Pharmaceutical Products will take place under the Chair of Costa Rica and Vice-Chair of El Salvador.

The meetings of the Group of Experts provide a forum that brings together representatives from OAS member states to exchange expertise on the control of precursor chemicals and other relevant chemical substances.

The meetings of the Group pursue the following objectives:

• To facilitate the exchange of up-to-date information, knowledge, best practices, and experiences related to the control of chemical substances.
• To identify emerging and persistent threats on the topic and determine collaborative strategies based on best practices.
• To develop evidence-based reference materials and tools to support OAS member states in addressing regional challenges, strengthening their institutional capacities, and implementing best practices and standardized procedures.
• To foster cooperation among different national and international agencies and stakeholders.

The topics to be discussed during the 2025 meeting of the Group include regional trends in illicit drug manufacturing and precursor chemical trafficking; current challenges regarding synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances; and strategies to strengthen the collaboration with the private sector to counter the diversion of chemical substances into illicit drug manufacture. In this regard, delegations will provide inputs for the preparation of a Good Practices Guide for Strengthening Public-Private Collaboration in Chemical Substance Control.