From 21 to 25 August, twenty-nine officials from thirteen Caribbean countries will participate in the 2nd Regional Armoury Management Course delivered by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
The specialized course aims to supplement the manufacturer-based training received by Caribbean based Armourers and equip them with the knowledge, skills and abilities for small arms ammunition control and management; as well as general stockpile management training designed to prevent loss, theft, and diversion.
Representatives from law enforcement and military agencies from Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago (Customs & Excise Division, Trinidad & Tobago Prison Service and Trinidad & Tobago Police Service) are participating in this course. The training is taking place at the Police Academy in St. James, Port of Spain.
The Armoury Management Course forms part of the technical assistance provided by UNLIREC within the “Support in the Implementation of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap Project” funded by the Government of Canada and is developed in line with 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms, the Arms Trade Treaty and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It also contributes towards regional efforts to prevent the illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition, thereby reducing firearms-related crimes and armed violence in the Caribbean The course further supports Goal 4 of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap which aims to systematically decrease the risk of diversion of firearms and ammunition from government- and non-government-owned arsenals and to ensure safe and secure firearms and ammunition storage facilities and management practices in accordance with international guidelines.
