Between 5 – 6 November 2024 in Montenegro, UNODC provided valuable support to a regional meeting hosted by SEESAC. The event brought together over 50 representatives from border police and customs agencies across the Western Balkans and Moldova, as well as key international partners. The meeting served as an important platform for the exchange of information and expertise on the pressing issue of firearms trafficking.
UNODC played a significant role in the meeting by participating in panels focused on postal parcel control and delivery, as well as new trends and threats in firearms trafficking. UNODC shared insights on the current trends of firearms trafficking, challenges faced, and recommendations for systematically addressing the issue.
Furthermore, UNODC contributed to discussions on new trends and emerging threats in firearms trafficking, presenting its findings on the evolving intelligence picture, issues related to convertible firearms in criminal proceedings, the rising danger of 3D-printed firearms, and the associated legislative challenges in the region.
Finally, UNODC took the opportunity to update counterparts on the recently adopted resolution at the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its Protocols. The resolution's operative paragraphs address the misuse of emerging technologies in firearms manufacturing, including the possession and transfer of blueprints for 3D-printed firearms and the conversion of non-lethal weapons. It also highlights the issue of firearms trafficking through e-commerce, postal, and courier services, and includes a request for UNODC to provide states, with equipment, technical assistance, and capacity-building.
The activities related to Project HERMES are implemented in the Western Balkans with financial support provided by Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, and Norway through the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap Trust Fund and supported by the European Union.
