Events

Regional Practices to Reduce Ammunition Diversion and Trafficking (Side event to the 2023 OEWG on Conventional Ammunition)

Regional Practices to Reduce Ammunition Diversion and Trafficking (Side event to the 2023 OEWG on Conventional Ammunition)

Preventing and addressing the diversion and trafficking of conventional ammunition can play an important role in helping to reduce armed violence and support sustainable development efforts. The Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on Conventional Ammunition has made great progress towards establishing a set of political commitments to be part of a comprehensive framework to support safe, secure and sustainable through-life ammunition management. A key element of the OEWG’s mandate is to explore ways to enhance voluntary cooperation at the regional and subregional.

This side event was intended to contribute to the OEWG efforts by taking stock of existing cross-regional practices to reduce ammunition diversion and trafficking and improve security dimensions of through-life management of ammunition. Speakers and discussants examined possible regional avenues and approaches to strengthen secure and accountable conventional ammunition management.

AGENDA

Opening Remarks:

Ambassador Silvio Gonzato, Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations

Panel moderated by:

Dr. Paul Holtom, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)

Speakers:

• Adriana María Tostón Díez, European Union, EMPACT* Firearms Driver - Operational Action on Ammunition

• Marinus Martin van der Meij, Head of the Weapons and Explosives Analysis Project, EUROPOL

• Pier Angelli De Luca, Program of Assistance for Control of Arms and Munition (PACAM), Organization of American States (OAS)

• Callixtus Joseph, CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS)

* European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats.

Q&A Session

WHEN & WHERE

7 June, 2023 from 08:15 to 9:30 (EST). In-person only. Conference Room B, United Nations Headquarters, NY. Complimentary coffee and breakfast for attendees was served.

PARTICIPANTS

The participation of representatives and experts specialized or interested in issues pertaining to through-life management of conventional ammunition was encouraged.

For queries, contact Ms. Matilde Vecchioni (matilde.vecchioni@un.org).

This event was organized by UNIDIR, in cooperation with EUROPOL and EMPACT Firearms Driver.