On 13-14 October 2014, UNLIREC convened a national roundtable on strengthening the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) in Trinidad and Tobago. The roundtable was held in collaboration with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, with the financial support of the US Department of State´s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation. The meeting formed part of UNLIREC’s 1540 Assistance Package for Caribbean States and was a follow up to the 1540 Committee´s Visit to Trinidad and Tobago in 2013.
The roundtable brought together over 25 representatives from various institutions and agencies in Trinidad and Tobago which have responsibilities in 1540 related matters, including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, National Security, Health, Energy and Energy Affairs, Science and Technology, the Office of the Attorney General and representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister, among others. This meeting enabled UNLIREC to not only share the findings and recommendations of its national study on the country’s legislative framework on 1540 but also actively engage with different stakeholders, gather additional information on the implementation of the resolution in the country, and determine a series of priority areas for the delivery of further technical assistance in the coming months.
Representatives were forthcoming in presenting the specific challenges faced by their respective institutions, disclosing information related to the domestic legislative and regulatory framework as well as operational and enforcement challenges. Participants welcomed further support and a proactive engagement by UNLIREC to strengthen the implementation of the resolution.
UNLIREC looks forward to continued collaboration with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to further strengthen the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) in the country.
For more information on UNLIREC visit (www.unlirec.org). Please direct all questions or inquiries to Ms. Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer at (cowl@unlirec.org)