The Ministry of Justice Honors National Experts Elected to International Drug Control Bodies

April 19, 2026

Under the high directives of the Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Mohamed HAMADOU, accompanied by the Director General of the National Office for the Fight Against Drugs and Drug Addiction (ONLCDT), Dr. Tarek KOUR, presided over an honorary ceremony this Sunday, April 19, 2026. Held at the Judges’ Residence, the event was organized to pay tribute to a distinguished group of national experts and diplomats.

The ceremony took place in a formal and prestigious setting, attended by high-ranking officials including the Inspector General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and the Director General of the National Institute of Forensic Science and Criminology of the National Gendarmerie. Representatives from the Ministry of National Defense, the General Directorate of National Security, and senior officials from the National Office were also in attendance.

The event commenced with a tribute to Professor Younes ZEBICHE, following his election as a member of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) for the 2027–2032 term, and Dr. Yacine BOUMRAH, in recognition of his appointment as an independent expert within the group tasked with reviewing the international drug control system.

Recognition was also extended to key figures of Algerian diplomacy for their pivotal role in supporting these candidacies, namely:

H.E. Mr. Amar BENDJAMA, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations in New York.
H.E. Mr. Larbi LATROUCHE, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations in Vienna.
Mr. Abdelghani MERABET, Director General of Multilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad.

In his address, Dr. Tarek KOUR, Director General of the National Office, lauded the exceptional expertise of the honorees, emphasizing that this achievement reflects the high caliber of Algerian professionals and their capacity to represent the State with distinction in international fora. He further stated that the Office remains committed to supporting national talents, thereby contributing to the shaping of global drug control policies and strengthening international coordination in alignment with Algeria’s strategic interests and the efforts of competent national authorities.