NEW YORK, New York – Representative from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are meeting over the next two weeks to discuss regional priorities ahead of the fourth Review Conference on the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (PoA).
The meeting is scheduled to take place in June at the United Nations and in preparation for the deliberations, LAC countries are discussing regional priorities, as well as challenges and opportunities, to combat small arms trafficking.
The regional meetings are being hosted by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and its Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The first meeting began on Monday and ends on Friday and from March 18-22, all Caribbean states have been invited to commence their preparations.
“Both meetings will take place virtually and will bring together representatives from respective national authorities in capitals, such as foreign affairs, defence and security, as well as diplomats from the respective Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York and Geneva,” the UN Office for Disarmament Affair said in a statement.
“Over the next two weeks, the regional preparatory meetings will provide a forum for States and other stakeholders, including regional organizations, to identify region-specific small arms and light weapons-related challenges and to discuss regional priorities for the fourth Review Conference.
“The five-day meetings will feature thematic presentations and State discussions, including developing effective national policies; enhancing tracing of small arms and light weapons through the International Tracing Instrument framework; developments in small arms and light weapons manufacturing, technology and design; the role of private security companies; and identifying and developing strategies to curb the supply and demand of small arms and light weapons.
“It also offers a unique opportunity for participating States and regional organizations to engage in constructive discussions on combating illicit trafficking and transnational crimes within the framework of the Programme of Action and contribute to States’ mandatory national reports.”
The statement said as a mark of the importance of those meetings, the President-designate of the fourth Review Conference, Maritza Chan Valverde of Costa Rica, as well as Izumi Nakamitsu, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, will be in attendance.
The PoA was adopted in 2001 by all United Nations member states and encompasses commitments to enhance control measures over small arms, including through improved national regulations, stockpile management, import/export controls and international cooperation.
The adoption of the International Tracing Instrument in 2005 further strengthened this framework, introducing the commitment for cooperation in weapons tracing and emphasizing the need for effective marking and record-keeping of weapons.
The statement said that these measures are integral to the global effort in addressing the challenges posed by the illicit arms trade and align with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
United Nations member states periodically review progress on the implementation of the commitments made in the PoA and the International Tracing Instrument, with the fourth Review Conference scheduled from 17 to 28 June in New York.
