The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) is moving forward in Mexico with the implementation of activities under its project entitled Oversight and Building Capacities for Small Arms Control and Non-proliferation in the Private Security Sector.
From 21-25 May 2018, UNLIREC carried out a series of activities to promote good governance in the private security sector. Federal and state authorities, as well as private security entrepreneurs, attended this Executive Seminar, which addressed good practices, international standards and norms that strengthen arms control and contribute, not only to better regulate the private security sector, but also to its professionalization.
With a view to educating the technical staff of private security companies, as well as private security regulators at the state level, UNLIREC hosted a two-day technical workshop for employees responsible for the oversight and stockpile management. More than 50 officials were trained on how to incorporate physical security procedures at weapons and ammunition stockpiles in order to mitigate the risk of arms diversion towards the illicit market. The content of the workshop is based on the International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS) and the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATGs).
Finally, UNLIREC, along with the Mexican authorities, held a round-table discussion on non-lethal weapons as a means of facilitating a forum for government authorities to discuss their use by private security companies, as well as the respective oversight and regulatory regimes, while also considering norms and legal and technical issues.
The assistance provided is made possible through the financial support of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany. By providing assistance to Latin American and Caribbean States, UNLIREC contributes to the enhancement of public security and the implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN 2001 PoA).
For more information on UNLIREC, please visit (www.unlirec.org) or contact Ms. Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer (cowl@unlirec.org)