Commonwealth _ Gathered in Saint Lucia on November 14th and 15th, 2023, officials from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Dominican Republic will assemble for the 3rd annual meeting centered around the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap. This pivotal gathering, funded by the Canadian government, aims to tackle the concerning issue of illicit firearms and ammunition proliferation in the Caribbean region. Organized by the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament, and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Saint Lucian government, the meeting will convene high-ranking representatives and ministers of security from the Caribbean and international spheres. The primary agenda revolves around discussions concerning ongoing strategies to combat the illicit trafficking and misuse of firearms and ammunition. The continuous trafficking and misuse of illicit firearms have sown the seeds of severe repercussions throughout the Caribbean. These ramifications reverberate in the form of escalating homicide rates and a surge in overall crime, casting a grim shadow over the public security landscape. Moreover, these illicit activities act as substantial barriers to socioeconomic progress, thwarting the region’s developmental trajectory.
The far-reaching effects of this predicament extend their tendrils into the realms of public health, manifesting in tragic instances of gun-related deaths and injuries. The toll on human lives and well-being has become an increasingly pressing concern, echoing through communities and demanding urgent action. Beyond the immediate human toll, the nefarious impact spans into economic spheres, inflicting detrimental blows to business development and stymying potential investments. The pervasive presence of illicit firearms creates an environment fraught with uncertainty, dissuading potential investors and stalling the growth of industries that could otherwise flourish. To address these pressing challenges, in 2020, all fifteen CARICOM States and the Dominican Republic collectively adopted the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap. The roadmap, officially known as the ‘Roadmap for Implementing The Caribbean Priority Actions on the Illicit Proliferation of Firearms and Ammunition across the Caribbean in a Sustainable Manner by 2030’, envisions a safer Caribbean region. Since its adoption, the roadmap has served as a guiding framework, emphasizing crucial goals such as enhancing regulatory frameworks on firearms and ammunition, curbing the illicit flow of firearms, and bolstering law enforcement capacities to combat trafficking.
Efforts to achieve these goals involve the development of National Action Plans (NAPs) by individual States, outlining their priorities and timelines. Over the years, States, international partners, and donors have collaborated virtually to discuss and progress the roadmap’s implementation. However, for the first time, this year’s meeting will be conducted in-person over two days, aiming to renew commitments and assess the roadmap’s efficacy comprehensively. The initial day of the meeting, on November 14th, will focus on operational facets of the roadmap, emphasizing evidence-based policymaking, data collection, and establishing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks. Stakeholders, including CARICOM IMPACS, UNLIREC, and implementing partners like the Organization of American States (OAS), INTERPOL, UNDP, UNODC, Small Arms Survey (SAS), and World Customs Organization (WCO), will contribute their insights, sharing best practices and lessons learned from national initiatives to combat armed violence. The subsequent day will witness a high-level plenary session attended by ministers and officials from CARICOM States, the Dominican Republic, and the international community. The aim is to review significant progress made under the roadmap, identify existing gaps, and strategize to fortify the security of the Caribbean region and its communities. Notable attendees include Izumi Nakamitsu, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General, and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs. The anticipated outcomes of this conference encompass the adoption of a joint statement, reflecting the collective commitment to addressing firearm-related challenges in the Caribbean.
