From 28 to 30 November 2022, thirty representatives from various sectors involved in arms control in Jamaica participated in the course to combat illicit trafficking of arms and ammunition in maritime contexts. The course was jointly organized by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) and the Global Programme against Maritime Crime of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The objective of the course was to provide national authorities with the theoretical knowledge and technical tools necessary to implement strategies seeking to prevent and combat illicit trafficking in firearms and their ammunition, in line with international instruments. The Implementation Agency for Crime and Security of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM IMPACS) also participated in the course.
Representatives from the Ministry of National Security, Police, Defense, Customs, Port Authority, Migration, and the Institute of Forensic Sciences participated and shared their experiences and challenges in addressing this problem.
The course provided an opportunity to focus on maritime contexts in the fight against illicit arms trafficking and contributed to strengthening the capacities of various sectors. The training activity also provided an opportunity for inter-institutional best practices and information sharing, as well as for the development of international cooperation, which are essential in the fight against this crime.
This training was developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Security of Jamaica and is part of SALIENT (The Saving Lives Entity) Jamaica, the United Nations multi-agency initiative for arms control and the prevention of armed violence.