From 13 to 14 November 2024, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Dominican Republic held the 4th Annual Meeting of States of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap. This meeting, which was held virtually, brought together government officials, international partners and key stakeholders to assess progress in combatting illicit firearms trafficking in the Caribbean and to chart the way forward for enhancing regional cooperation. The meeting was organized by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in partnership with the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS).
Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs at the United Nations, delivered opening remarks in which she reflected on the successes of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap and emphasized that it has become a critical regional framework for cooperation in arms control. “With sustained support from the international community, Roadmaps are proving to be effective, sustainable, and comprehensive mechanisms for enhancing arms control and ammunition management”, she said. She also commended the countries that have adopted National Action Plans as part of the operationalization of the Roadmap and encouraged others to finalize their plans as soon as possible.
In his remarks, Callixtus Joseph, Assistant Director for Policy, Strategy and Innovation (Ag.) from CARICOM IMPACS, underscored the importance of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap as a key instrument in the region’s response to firearms trafficking. He emphasized the significance of the meeting by saying that “This meeting represents a critical opportunity to evaluate our progress, exchange ideas, and reaffirm our commitment to and strengthen our resolve against gun violence”.
The two-day meeting featured high-level discussions, technical exchanges and updates from national focal points and international partners.
The first day focused on providing an overview of the Roadmap’s implementation, with a ministerial-level dialogue, which offered participants the opportunity to reflect on the relevance of the Roadmap and its implementation in the context of national priorities and strategies. Through reflecting on the progress achieved by States to date, participants were able to identify areas where further support is still needed, chiefly among them being the development of monitoring and reporting capabilities. Meeting participants also shared concrete results of capacity building activities carried out thus far and underscored the importance of partnerships and regional cooperation in combating illicit firearms trafficking.
A key point stressed during the meeting was the continued importance of the support by donors and implementing partners in achieving the Roadmap’s objectives. The contributions of partners and co-custodians were showcased in a video produced by UNLIREC, wherein representatives from the various organizations shared insights from their work in the region in support of the Roadmap. The significant contributions of donor countries such as Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union were also highlighted as a clear demonstration of the international community’s commitment to assisting the region in its efforts to combat the illicit flow of firearms.
In the second day of the meeting, national focal points shared and discussed their experiences and progress over the past year, identifying challenges encountered in implementing the Roadmap’s actions, as well as the capacity-building needs that still need to be addressed. Looking ahead, participants outlined key priorities for the upcoming 2025 Midterm Review of the Roadmap.
Background
The Caribbean Firearms Roadmap is a regional umbrella framework adopted by CARICOM States and the Dominican Republic in 2020, in which States commit themselves to implement concrete actions against illicit firearms trafficking and make the Caribbean a safer region. To date, 16 countries in the region have formally adopted the Roadmap, and many have developed National Action Plans to tailor the framework to their unique national contexts. The Roadmap signifies a commitment by States of the region to implement sustainable solutions to prevent and combat armed violence and crimes that are aligned with international norms and the broader goal of promoting sustainable peace, security and development across the Caribbean.
About UNLIREC
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) is one of three regional centres under the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Since its establishment in 1986, UNLIREC has worked to promote peace, security and disarmament throughout the region.
For more information, please contact secretary@unlirec.org.