Disarmament in Review
On 19-20 August 2015, United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) conducted a risk management table-top exercise on maritime security in Trinidad and Tobago, in partnership with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and in collaboration with the Ministry of National Security of Trinidad and Tobago. The Table-top exercise is aimed at strengthening the implementation of UNSC resolution 1540 (2004).
The exercise addressed the obligation to adopt border control measures contained in operative paragraph 3 of UNSC resolution 1540 (2004) and complements UNLIREC’s work in the Caribbean, including in Trinidad and Tobago, in other critical areas, such as modernization of legislation, export controls or identification and handling of nuclear, chemical, or biological materials, which could be used for proliferation purposes.
Over 15 officials from Trinidad and Tobago engaged in discussions on potential threats and cases presented by IMO experts. Participants addressed inter-institutional coordination, the adoption of preventive and reactive measures to certain threats, and reviewed existing operating procedures and legal framework establishing roles and responsibilities of relevant institutions.
This represents the fifth activity conducted by UNLIREC in Trinidad and Tobago since early 2014, and forms an important part of the training component of the national action plan outline that the Regional Centre has been assisting the national authorities in developing. The basic action plan outline has several components, one of which is the provision of training in several fields relating to the implementation of the UNSC resolution, including in the area of border controls.
Following a request from Trinidad and Tobago in 2014, specific work plans have been drafted with the Ministry of National Security’s Anti Money Laundering Division establishing activities and work sessions aimed at assisting the government’s efforts to adopt measures to prevent the financing of proliferation. This work is directly related to operative paragraph 2 of UNSC resolution 1540 (2004) and the obligation to refrain from financing any of the activities indicated in the first operative paragraph of the resolution. A work session with practitioners is being planned as well, and consultations on the legislative framework and recommendations made by UNLIREC in a legal study presented in 2014 are also underway with the Ministry of Legal Affairs.
UNLIREC will continue working with the IMO to deliver similar risk management table-top exercises in other Caribbean States. Belize has already indicated its interest in hosting such training in the coming months.
This exercise forms part of UNLIREC’s 1540 Assistance Package for Caribbean States with the financial support of the United States Department of State´s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation.
For more information on UNLIREC visit (www.unlirec.org). Please direct all of your questions or queries to: Ms. Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer ( cowl[at]unlirec.org ).
Related Pictures
IMO Consultant Gary Sidock facilitating a group discussion on how to determine roles, responsibilities, processes and procedures during a maritime incident.
Participants from diverse agencies discussing how to respond to one of the IMO scenarios and recognizing the need for co-operation amongst government departments and agencies.
Chief Petty Officer Alena Charisma Apparicio-Holder receiving her certificate from Mr. Ammar Samaroo, Comptroller of Customs and Excise.
Sub Lieutenant Juliana Daniella Straker receiving her certificate from Mr. Ammar Samaroo, Comptroller of Customs and Excise.
