Firing Up Regional Expertise: Caribbean Hosts Inaugural SALW Fellowship Training Programme
The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) has officially launched the inaugural edition of its Fellowship Training Programme on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Control, kicking off a bold new chapter in regional capacity-building across the Caribbean.
From 28 July to 15 August 2025, nineteen fellows from fifteen CARICOM Member States convened in Trinidad and Tobago, for an intensive three-week training. The Fellowship, delivered in close collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, combines legal, technical, and field-based training to bolster national and regional responses to the threats posed by the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
This first cohort of Caribbean fellows included senior law enforcement officers, military officials, forensic specialists, policy experts, and legal and technical advisers, all united by a shared goal: strengthening arms control efforts in their home countries and across the region.
Training That Moves Beyond the Classroom
The programme began with a self-paced online course introducing core concepts in disarmament, international instruments, and SALW control mechanisms. But it was in Trinidad and Tobago where the learning truly came alive.
Over the three-week period, fellows engaged in a robust curriculum covering legal and policy frameworks, regional SALW dynamics, stockpile management, weapons destruction, forensic ballistics, border control, and the prevention of illicit trafficking, alongside critical cross-cutting themes such as gender mainstreaming, human security, and the impact of armed violence. Complementing this comprehensive coursework, the Fellowship Training Programme featured a unique series of field visits and live demonstrations that transformed theory into vivid, hands-on learning.
A Forensic Journey Through Firearms and Ballistics
At the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service’s Armoury Ballistics Unit, fellows observed a live test-firing of a recovered firearm into a water tank, a controlled method used to capture bullets without damage, crucial for ballistic comparison. The demonstration offered an intimate look into how weapons recovered from crime scenes are tested and analyzed, revealing the science behind forensics that often plays a pivotal role in solving gun-related crimes.
During the visit to the Trinidad and Tobago Forensic Science Centre, a ballistics expert demonstrated how to use a comparison microscope to examine cartridge cases and fired bullets. By identifying individual markings, this method allows investigators to link firearms to specific incidents, a vital step in criminal investigations and prosecution.
Marking, Tracing, and Memory
At the Police Armoury, fellows witnessed a laser engraving demonstration, where import markings were applied to firearms. This process, essential for regulatory compliance and enhanced tracing, underscored the importance of proper identification in countering the diversion and trafficking of small arms.
Perhaps the most sobering moment came during a visit to the Camp Omega Memorial, where retired Corporal Gabriel shared the story of 2 soldiers and 4 firefighters who lost their lives in a 1988 explosion linked to a bush fire igniting a stockpile management site, a sobering reminder of the importance of safe Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) practices.
Explosives and Expertise: A Controlled Detonation
In one of the most unforgettable moments of the programme, fellows visited Camp Omega for a live field demonstration with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) of safe ammunition disposal and the open detonation of explosive materials.
Step by step, fellows watched the assembly of explosive charges, detonation cords, and firing cables, all under strict safety protocols. The exercise showcased the discipline, coordination, and technical precision required to handle explosives safely.
The experience made clear that SALW control is not only about stopping weapons from reaching the wrong hands, but also about ensuring dangerous materials are managed, stored, and destroyed in a way that protects lives and communities.
Project Development: Turning Knowledge into National Impact
In the last week of the training, fellows shifted focus to the future. With the guidance of mentors, each fellow began crafting a country-specific project proposal designed to address challenges in SALW control within their national and institutional context. These individual initiatives informed by the Fellowship’s technical training and grounded in national needs will serve as action-oriented blueprints for change back home.
Whether focused on strengthening border and port controls, improving firearms registration and marking systems, enhancing stockpile security, or developing national policies on weapons destruction and tracing, the fellows' projects are grounded in the specific needs of their countries. Together, they reflect how the Fellowship is incubating ideas and equipping participants to translate technical training into practical, targeted action for improving SALW control across the Caribbean.
A Model for Regional and Global Change
The Caribbean launch of the SALW Fellowship Training Programme marks just the beginning. As part of UNODA’s broader efforts to support the implementation of the Programme of Action (PoA) and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI), the Fellowship seeks to build a global network of SALW control specialists equipped to lead national reforms and regional cooperation. The next iteration will focus on the African region, with the second cohort of fellows scheduled to convene from 20 October to 7 November in Lomé, Togo, and Ouidah, Benin, in partnership with the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC).
