The Colombo Plan

International Overdose Awareness Day 2026

Every August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) brings a global community together to take action on overdose.
This year the theme for IOAD is 25 Years On. Still Needed.

For 25 years, International Overdose Awareness Day has brought people together to remember those we’ve lost and to take action to save lives.

Overdose continues to affect every community. Yet it can be prevented. We know how to reduce risk and keep people safe. By collaborating openly with all sectors of society; learning from one another; and sharing best practices, up-to-date research and technology; and targeted public health alerts on emerging drug threats, we build a world where fewer lives are lost.

On this day, the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Program (DAP) remains committed to share our expertise to help prevent and reduce overdose. Along with our internationally-renowned forensic lab partner, Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE), CPDAP sponsors a number of programs designed to reduce overdose: a Sentinel program that detects emerging lethal drug threats entering a country for the first time; a QTOF program (named after a monel drug analysis technique) that identifies the composition of street drugs that drive overdose epidemics in communities; training for forensic lab chemists on the latest analytical techniques to detect lethal synthetic drugs and complex drug mixtures; a global forensic drug testing lab directors network that shares experiences on the detection and reporting of emerging drug threats; public health alerts (global, regional, and national) on emerging drug threats that will cause overdose and mechanisms to counteract overdose; support for various regional and international forums, webinars; and training that address overdose; to name a few.

In conclusion, CPDAP looks forward to working with our international partners (both public and private sector) to address overdose by helping to reduce the mortality (death) and morbidity (chronic, life-threatening long-term chronic health problems) resulting from today's lethal synthetic drugs and dangerous drug mixtures.

This afternoon, the Secretary-General visited the Embassy of Nepal in Colombo to convey her deepest condolences and express solidarity with the Government and people of Nepal during this difficult time.

Happy National Day, Malaysia!

We are deeply saddened by the devastating floods reported in Rasuwa District and other parts of Nepal. May everyone affected find safety, strength, and support during this difficult time.

We wish the rescue teams, local authorities, and volunteers strength and success as they continue their vital efforts on the ground.

This morning, we had the honour of receiving H.E. Siti Arnyfariza Md Jaini, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to Sri Lanka, resident in New Delhi, at the Colombo Plan Secretariat. Brunei Darussalam has been a member of the Colombo Plan since 2008.

Following up on her participation as a panelist at Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026, the Secretary-General today had discussions with Rathika de Silva, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, on exploring opportunities for collaboration between the Colombo Plan, UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, and its member corporate partners.