A/RES/57/174 countries and that appropriate measures are required, based on the principle of shared responsibility and strengthened international cooperation, in support of alternative and sustainable development activities in the affected areas of those countries, which have as their objectives the reduction and elimination of illicit drug production, Expressing its concern that lenient policies towards the use of illicit drugs that are not in accordance with the international drug control treaties may hamper the efforts of the international community to address the world drug problem, and recalling in this context the importance of complying with relevant international obligations,11 Welcoming the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, adopted on 27 June 2001 at the special session of the General Assembly on HIV/AIDS, 12 including the acknowledgement of the link between drug-using behaviour and HIV infection, as well as Commission on Narcotic Drugs resolution 45/1 of 15 March 2002 on HIV/AIDS in the context of drug abuse, 7 Stressing that respect for all human rights is and must be an essential component of measures taken to address the drug problem, Ensuring that women and men benefit equally, and without any discrimination, from strategies directed against the world drug problem, through their involvement in all stages of programmes and policy-making, Recognizing that the use of new technologies and electronic media, including the Internet, poses new opportunities for and challenges to international cooperation in countering drug abuse and illicit production and trafficking, Convinced that civil society, including non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations, plays an active role and makes an effective contribution to countering the world drug problem, and should be encouraged to continue to do so, Acknowledging that international cooperation in countering drug abuse and illicit production and trafficking has shown that positive results can be achieved through sustained and collective efforts, I Respect for the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law in countering the world drug problem 1. Reaffirms that countering the world drug problem is a common and shared responsibility that must be addressed in a multilateral setting, requires an integrated and balanced approach, and must be carried out in full conformity with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, and in particular with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of States and all human rights and fundamental freedoms; _______________ 11 The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 as amended by the 1972 Protocol (United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 976, No. 14152), the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 (United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1019, No. 14956) and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 (see Official Records of the United Nations Conference for the Adoption of a Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Vienna, 25 November–20 December 1988, vol. I (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.94.XI.5)). 12 Resolution S-26/2, annex. 3