From 29-30 January 2019, the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), in its role as the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) Secretariat, in partnership with the US Department of State and UNLIREC, hosted a meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, for national authorities on the prevention of firearms trafficking.
This meeting, which falls under the 2010 CBSI framework, sought to strengthen cooperation among Caribbean states on regional security issues, as well as international partners, with a view to addressing firearms trafficking and building forensic ballistics capabilities. Moreover, participants sought to reach a consensus on the relevant actions needed to address this scourge. In-depth deliberations focused on, inter alia, firearms legislation reform, trafficking trends, improving coordination and ballistic information sharing among agencies and strengthening the CARICOM Regional Integrated Ballistic Information Network (RIBIN).
Close to 60 State representatives and officials from CARICOM Member States, the Dominican Republic and international organizations, including UNODC, the OAS and INTERPOL were present.
The final draft of an updated list of Priority Actions for CARICOM Member States will be forwarded for consideration by the CARICOM political directorate for implementation.