Oct 28, 2020 | Uncategorized
Joint Statement by UNLIREC and CARICOM IMPACS during the Ninth CBSI High-level Dialogue 28 October 2020
Delivered by Ms. Melanie Regimbal, Director, UNLIREC
CBSI High level Dialogue 2020
I deliver this statement on behalf of the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC).
The proliferation of Illicit firearms and ammunitions continues to contribute to violence in CARICOM. Illicit firearms are fuelling armed violence, organised crime, gang crimes and gender-based violence, while thwarting sustainable development efforts.
One year after the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government adopted the ‘Caribbean Priority Actions on Addressing Illicit Trafficking of Firearms (Priority Actions)’ in February 2019, which was developed within the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) Framework, Caribbean States with the assistance of UNLIREC and CARICOM IMPACS have consolidated these political commitments of the Priority Actions and developed ‘The Roadmap for Implementing The Caribbean Priority Actions on the Illicit Proliferation of Firearms and Ammunition across the Caribbean in a Sustainable Manner by 2030 (Caribbean Firearms Roadmap)’ to guide the implementation of the Caribbean Priority Actions. We would like to thank the Governments of Germany and the United States of America for their assistance in the development of the Roadmap. We also appreciate their continued support towards the furtherance of the CBSI Firearms Technical Working Group (TWG) ‘Priority Actions’ and the development of countries ‘National Action Plans (NAPs)’. This is truly an example of cross border cooperation and collaboration.
Since the official communication for approval of the Roadmap, via round robin, was sent to Caribbean States in June 2020, I am pleased to announce that as of yesterday, CARICOM IMPACS advise that we have eight (8) CARICOM States which have approved the Roadmap. We respectfully urge other States to approve the Roadmap and its activities thereby ensuring that the Caribbean Priority Actions which were endorsed by the CARICOM Heads of Government in February 2019 are implemented. We note that national ownership is key to the success of the Roadmap.
CARICOM IMPACS and UNLIREC attach great importance to the implementation of the Roadmap, and recognise the importance of working together, both bilaterally and through multilateral efforts to create a coordinated and consistent regional approach aimed at maximising benefits for all Member States based on key principles and commitments, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, transparency and host nation consent.
In order to successfully implement the Roadmap, we will actively work in concert with the other international partners, including but not limited to the Governments of Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the European Union; various international organisations, such as the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL), Organisation of American States (OAS), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the World Customs Organisation (WCO), as well as civil society organisations (CSOs), academia and research institutions with the aim of bolstering national and regional efforts to achieve a safer Caribbean.
The implementation of the Roadmap will contribute to the attainment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Agenda 2030), and most specifically to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 16.4, which aims to significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flow by 2030.
We welcome the contribution and support of international organizations, donors, civil society and research institutions to assist national authorities to implement the Caribbean Priority Actions through the operational Roadmap presented here.
Thank You
Oct 26, 2020 | Uncategorized
On 26 October 2020, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) and the Caribbean Community’s Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), in collaboration with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Government of Germany, hosted a virtual Executive Seminar for the Advancement of Trinidad and Tobago’s National Action Plan for the implementation of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap.
Trinidad and Tobago adopted the ‘Roadmap for Implementing The Caribbean Priority Actions on the Illicit Proliferation of Firearms and Ammunition across the Caribbean in a Sustainable Manner by 2030’ (Caribbean Firearms Roadmap) in July 2020. The Roadmap consolidates and builds upon the 2019 actions adopted by Caribbean Heads of Governments on addressing the illicit trafficking of firearms in the region.
Following adoption, Trinidad and Tobago became the first State to commence concrete actions contemplated in the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap by taking steps to create its National Action Plan (NAP). Forty representatives of the Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Defence Force, Police Service, Forensic Science Centre, Customs and Excise Division, Judiciary, Public Prosecutions Department and Gender and Child Affairs Division, along with members of the German Federal Foreign Ministry, UNLIREC and CARICOM IMPACS participated in the NAP Executive Seminar. Participants discussed the Roadmap and steps needed to map out Trinidad and Tobago’s priorities, plans and timelines for implementing the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap. The successful implementation of the Roadmap will require both the concerted efforts of national authorities, as well as the timely, targeted and coordinated support of regional and international partners and donors.
The Roadmap serves as a base document for Trinidad and Tobago in the elaboration of its National Action Plan (NAP). It includes four main goals: (1) reinforce regulatory frameworks governing firearms and ammunition; (2) reduce the illicit flow of firearms and ammunition into, within and beyond the region; (3) bolster law enforcement capacity to combat illicit firearms and ammunition trafficking and their illicit possession and misuse; and (4) systematically decrease the risk of diversion of firearms and ammunition from government- and non-government-owned arsenals. Each goal incorporates pre-defined actions and targets, recommended performance indicators, all in alignment with a timeline, which runs from 2020 to 2030, to coincide with the culmination of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
UNLIREC and CARICOM IMPACS, as the main implementing partners, will lend technical assistance in the elaboration of the NAPs and in their successive implementation. The governments of Canada, Germany, United States of America and the United Kingdom have pledged support to the implementation of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap.
UNLIREC, as the regional organ of the UN Office for Disarmament, seeks to advance the cause of practical disarmament in Latin America and the Caribbean as part of its commitment to support Member States in their implementation of international disarmament and non-proliferation instruments, in particular, the 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms.
Jun 17, 2020 | Uncategorized
The Permanent Secretaries of National Security from CARICOM Member States and the Dominican Republic recommended that the newly developed Caribbean Firearms Roadmap be adopted at the ministerial level as a next and final step prior to its implementation. This recommendation was made during a virtual regional encounter, hosted by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Caribbean Community’s Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), on 17 June 2020. The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs – through its Conventional Arms Branch – and the United State Department of State – through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) – attended the virtual encounter to pledge their support for the implementation of this new initiative. They were joined by other members of the donor community, including Canada, France, The Netherlands and the European Union, all of which welcomed the Roadmap. The CARICOM Secretariat, the Regional Security System, OAS, WCO, Interpol, UNODC and the South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) were also in attendance.
The ‘Roadmap for Implementing The Caribbean Priority Actions on the Illicit Proliferation of Firearms and Ammunition across the Caribbean in a Sustainable Manner by 2030’ consolidates and builds upon the Actions adopted in May 2019 by Caribbean Heads of Governments on addressing the illicit trafficking of firearms in the region. These Actions form the backbone of the Roadmap, arrived at by consensus in 2020 by national Caribbean authorities and other stakeholders, which aims to support Caribbean States in preventing and combating illicit proliferation of firearms and ammunition in the region for a safer Caribbean.
The regional strategy behind the Roadmap is reflected in four main goals: (1) reinforce regulatory frameworks governing firearms and ammunition; (2) reduce the illicit flow of firearms and ammunition into, within and beyond the region; (3) bolster law enforcement capacity to combat illicit firearms and ammunition trafficking and their illicit possession and misuse; and (4) systematically decrease the risk of diversion of firearms and ammunition from government- and non-government-owned arsenals. Each goal incorporates pre-defined actions and targets in alignment with a timeline, which runs from 2020 to 2030, to coincide with the culmination of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Finally, to help States gauge their progress in attaining each of these goals, the Roadmap contains recommended performance indicators.
The successful implementation of the Roadmap will require both the concerted efforts of Caribbean State authorities, as well as the timely, targeted and coordinated support of regional and international partners and donors. Likewise, the Roadmap will be used as a base document for States in the elaboration of their individual State-based National Action Plans (NAPs). These NAPS will map out their national priorities and plans and specific timelines for implementing the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap.
Finally, the Roadmap is consistent with the Caribbean context and international firearms instruments, as well as with regional strategies, such as the CARICOM Crime and Security Strategy. It is also envisioned to contribute to the attainment of the 2030 Agenda and to its accompanying Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Target 16.4, which aims to significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flow by 2030.
Formal adoption of the Roadmap is expected to take place prior to the end of July 2020. UNLIREC and CARICOM IMPACS, as the main implementing partners, will lend technical assistance in the elaboration of the NAPs and in their successive implementation.
