Disarmament in Review
The Fourth Review Conference (RevCon4) is scheduled for 17 to 28 June 2024 in New York
From 11 to 15 and 18 to 22 March, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and its Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) hosted two virtual preparatory meetings – one for Latin American States and one for Caribbean States ahead of a milestone meeting in June, when States will assess progress made in the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in All Its Aspects (UNPoA) and its International Tracing Instrument (ITI).
Government officials from 26 countries[1], as well as representatives from the Organization of American States (OAS), the Central American Integration System (SICA) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and UN officials participated in the meetings, which served to enable States to identify regional priorities and challenges ahead of the June Review Conference. Of the 66 participants, 31 were women and 35 men. They were joined by high-level UN Officials as well as the President-designate for the forthcoming Review Conference, Ambassador Maritza Chan-Valverde of Costa Rica.
At the opening session for Latin American States, Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, encouraged participants to bring the lessons that the region has learned about combatting illicit small arms and light weapons into the global discussions in New York in June. Michal Adamowicz from the European External Action Service, which financial contributions made the preparatory meetings possible, noted the European Union’s support for the UNPoA as a universal framework to address the threat of illicit trafficking. Indeed, small arms and light weapons continue to not only pose a threat to international peace and security, but to sustainable development, said Adedeji Ebo, Director and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, in his intervention at the second meeting with Caribbean States. He recalled the commitment that those States made at last year’s Caribbean Firearms Roadmap Annual Meeting to address issues that fuel the illicit trade and proliferation of these weapons, such as their supply and the role of the firearms industry. In addition, he reminded participants of the synergies between the UN Programme of Action and regional instruments such as the Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Materials (CIFTA), and the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, of which UNLIREC and CARICOM IMPACS are the co-custodians.
Ambassador Maritza Chan-Valverde of Costa Rica, President-designate of Fourth Review Conference, highlighted the positive impact of the Programme of Action, emphasizing its role in driving legislative improvements, enhancing national controls, and strengthening global cooperation.
Delegates engaged in comprehensive discussions on various aspects of arms control, including the implementation of the PoA, gender, youth and inclusion, the role of private security companies and international cooperation and assistance, and developments in SALW manufacturing and technology. The latter topic was of particular interest as States in the region see an increase in 3-D printed weapons and their components, which raise specific and new challenges to arms control. Attendees also shared insights on effectively integrating SALW control into sustainable development and cooperation frameworks as well as the women, peace, and security agenda. The sessions included presentations by UNLIREC, the office for Disarmament Affairs’ Conventional Arms Branch, and regional organisations, fostering dynamic dialogue and knowledge-sharing. On the closing day, participants and the President-designate engaged in an open exchange on national and regional priorities and perspectives to bring into the June meeting.
The organization of this preparatory event is a part of UNODA’s global project, funded by the European Union (EU Council Decision 2022/65), for the purpose of supporting States in the full and effective implementation of the PoA and its ITI.
[1] El Salvador, Cuba, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Panama, Chile, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Paraguay, Venezuela, Bahamas, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago
