Washington, DC, 12 February 2025 – Ministers of security and high-level officials from six Central American countries and the Dominican Republic will adopt the Central American and Dominican Republic Roadmap to Prevent the Illicit Trafficking and Proliferation of Arms, Ammunition and Explosives on Wednesday, 12 of February, at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, DC.

This new joint regional initiative is aimed at strengthening the fight against illicit trafficking in arms, ammunition and explosives. The adoption of this Roadmap marks a significant step toward enhancing cooperation and national capacities, with the aim of countering one of the main threats to the security and development in the region.

The Roadmap is the result of a two-year development process and is based on four key pillars:

• Pillar 1: Reinforce regulatory frameworks and inter-agency coordination;
• Pillar 2: Prevention of violence with firearms and firearms misuse;
• Pillar 3: Life-cycle management of weapons, ammunition and explosives;
• Pillar 4: Investigation and criminal prosecution of trafficking, manufacture, possession and illicit use of firearms, ammunition, and explosives.

With the adoption of the document, participating States (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and Dominican Republic) commit to working towards the achievement of a series of objectives and priority actions within these pillars by 2035.

The development of the Roadmap and its implementation is supported by the OAS and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), with technical support from the Central American Integration System (SICA) and was funded by the European Union.

For more information, please contact: secretary@unlirec.org.

The United Nations Regional Center for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) launches the first edition of the GenerAcción Paz programme, which aspires to empower Latin American and Caribbean youth to create a region free of armed violence. The application process isopen from April 24 to May 31.

The call is aimed at young Spanish speakers between the ages of 18 and 29 at the time of participating in the programme (born between March 31, 1995 and July 1, 2006) living in Latin America and the Caribbean. Young people of various profiles and fields are invited to apply. 10 standout participants will be selected on the basis of their active participation in youth networks or associations, their organizational and leadership skills, as well as their interests and initiatives to promote a region free of armed violence.

The application process consists of two phases. Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications until 31 May, and send their CV to the link provided in the form. Shortlisted candidates will be notified on June 21 with instructions on the second phase, which will have to be completed by June 30. The ten selected candidates will be notified on July 8.

The programme, which will span a nine-month period from July 2024 to March 2025, counts with a regional focus and three main stages:

• Online training (July to November 2024): participants will be able to interact through a series of webinars with high-level regional arms control experts. Different topics will be discussed: illicit trafficking of weapons and new technologies, gender impact of armed violence, weapons in schools, and the relationship between disarmament and development. Project management training workshops will also be organized.
• Sponsored study visit to Lima, Peru (end of November 2024).
• Project implementation (December 2024 to April 2025): in the third phase, participants will developand implementpersonalprojects in their local or national contexts, with personalized support from UNLIREC and selected mentors.

The GenerAcción Paz programme contributes to the implementation of the General Assembly resolutions on Youth, Peace and Disarmament as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The project is financed by funds from the United Nations Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation (UNSCAR).

All questions may be directed to youth@unlirec.org.

From 13 to 14 November 2024, officials from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Dominican Republic will gather virtually for the 4th Annual Meeting of States of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap.

States, together with partners and donors from the international community, will meet virtually to discuss the implementation of the Roadmap and renew their commitment to addressing illicit firearms and ammunition trafficking.

The meeting is organized by the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC).

The meeting, which is funded by Germany, envisages a high-level meeting of Ministers on 13 November as well as a one-day working level exchange between national focal points established under the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap on 14 November.