The highly anticipated Harm Reduction International 2025 (HR25) conference officially kicked off yesterday in Bogotá, Colombia, becoming a significant event in the global fight for the rights and health of people who use drugs. It is the first conference in Latin America in three decades, emphasizing the region’s important role in the global drug policy debate.
Over the next four days, more than 1,000 participants, including policymakers, health professionals, activists, and academics, will gather in Bogotá to discuss and advance harm reduction approaches that prioritize human rights, dignity, and public health. The theme of this year’s conference is “Sowing Change to Harvest Justice,” reflecting the transformation Colombia is undergoing as it revises its drug policies and moves toward new paradigms of social justice and peace.
The conference, from 27 to 30 April 2025, is organized by Harm Reduction International (HRI) in collaboration with local partner Acción Técnica Social (ATS), a leading organization for drug policy reform and harm reduction implementation in Colombia.
The opening ceremony, held yesterday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, kicked off discussions on the challenges Colombia faces as a drug-producing country and the impact of international drug policy on the economy, environment, and public health.
The conference program includes presentations, workshops, films, and side events where participants can learn about the latest research, best practices, and opportunities for collaboration. Topics range from harm reduction strategies and drug policy reform to human rights and the impact of drug laws on the global climate. Speakers include global drug policy leaders, health professionals, activists, and policymakers working to change attitudes toward people who use substances and improve public health.
“Harm Reduction International’s conference has played an important role in changing the global conversation about drugs and their impact on society for more than 30 years. This platform reminds us of how much has been achieved and how much more needs to be done,” participants share. Since the launch of the event, discussions have continued how harm reduction policies and drug policy reforms can make societies safer and healthier, and how these approaches can be replicated in other regions of the world (including Eastern Europe and Central Asia). Particular attention is paid to the Latin American context – Colombia’s actions to abandon the war on drugs, decriminalize personal drug use, and promote public health over punishment will be an important aspect of the discussion.
The Harm Reduction International 2025 conference will continue until April 30, with sessions from 09:30 to 18:00 each day and a closing session from 16:30 on April 30.
For more information about the conference program, visit the official #HR25 website.