United Nations Guiding Principles on Alternative Development A/RES/68/196 learned in alternative development programmes and projects and should take into account the available financial and technical support provided by donors. 15. Alternative development policies, as one of the tools available in the fight against the world drug problem, should be implemented alongside efforts made by States to strengthen the rule of law and promote health, safety and security so as to ensure a comprehensive approach to tackling the challenges that may be posed by the possible links between drug trafficking, corruption and different forms of organized crime and, in some cases, terrorism. 16. Alternative development can be an integral element of an overall development strategy and should complement economic efforts in the fight against poverty. 17. The impact of alternative development programmes should be assessed by taking into account their contribution to the control of illicit crop cultivation, including the eradication of such crops, and through estimates based on human development indices, socioeconomic and environmental indicators and impartial and accurate evaluations. B. Actions and implementation measures 18. States Members of the United Nations, international organizations, regional organizations, development agencies, donors and international financial institutions, as well as civil society, should apply their utmost efforts, as appropriate: (a) To target illicit cultivation and production of crops used for the production and manufacture of illicit drugs, and address related factors, by alleviating poverty, by strengthening the rule of law and institutional frameworks, as appropriate, and by promoting sustainable development aimed at enhancing the welfare of the population; (b) To build and maintain confidence, dialogue and cooperation with and between stakeholders, from people at the community level and local authorities to leaders at the national and regional levels, so as to ensure participation and ownership for long-term sustainability; (c) To implement long-term projects and programmes to provide opportunities to fight poverty, diversify livelihoods and strengthen development, institutional frameworks and the rule of law; (d) To develop policies and programmes that take into account an evidenceand science-based assessment of the potential impact of alternative development on the illicit cultivation of crops used for the illicit production and manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and on rural and socioeconomic development, including the gender dimension related thereto, and the environment; (e) To take into account the need to promote the diversification of licit crops cultivated and licit economic activities undertaken when implementing alternative development programmes; (f) Owing to the transnational nature of drug-related crimes, to encourage and support coordinated cross-border collaboration and alternative development activities, where appropriate and feasible, with the support of international cooperation; (g) To address with specific measures the situation of women, children, youth and other high-risk populations, including, in some cases, dependent drug users, owing to their vulnerability and exploitation in the illicit drug economy; 7/10