News and Events

Photo: UNODC Brazil

"Firearms in the Courtroom": specialized training for judiciary in Serbia - within the period of 5 – 6 December 2024 in Serbia, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), through its Firearms Trafficking Section, in cooperation with the Judicial Academy (JA) and the Criminalistic Police University (CPU), conducted a training “Firearms in the Courtroom.”[ Read more ]

Combatting Illicit Firearms Trafficking: Judicial Collaboration through Firearms Case Law Analysis - on 3 December 2024, criminal justice practitioners from Tirana, Skopje, and Pristina gathered in Tirana as part of the Project Justitia, implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through its Firearms Trafficking Section. [ Read more ]

UNODC donates cutting-edge drones to Trinidad and Tobago to bolster crime prevention efforts - Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago - in a landmark initiative to strengthen crime-fighting capabilities, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), through its Global Firearms Program and thanks to the Government of Germany, has donated two advanced drones to the Ministry of Home Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago. [ Read more ]

Regional Conference on Harmonizing Criminal Law for Effective Implementation of the United Nations Firearms Protocol in Western Balkans - on 19 November in Skopje, North Macedonia, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme organized a regional meeting focused on harmonizing the legislation of Western Balkans jurisdictions with the UN Firearms Protocol. [ Read more ]

Combatting Illicit Firearms: Judicial Perspectives and Case Law Analysis in Kosovo*. In 2024, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), through its Global Firearms Program (GFP), developed the second edition of the Firearms Case Law Collection in Kosovo under Project Justitia. This enhanced resource builds on its initial version, providing a detailed analysis of judicial proceedings and decisions related to firearms offenses in Kosovo between 2020 and 2024. [ Read more ]

UNODC supported regional meeting of the border police and customs in the Western Balkans. 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. [ Read more ]

Training Workshop on Detection of Illicit Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition. A comprehensive training workshop on detecting illicit firearms trafficking has successfully concluded in St. Lucia. It was held from 5 to 7 November 2024, and organized by the Firearms Trafficking Section’s Global Firearms Programme of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with the financial support of the Government of Germany. [ Read more ]

UNODC Hosts Side Event on Countering Firearms Trafficking in Fast Parcels through Project HERMES. On 14 October 2024, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) convened a side event at the margins of the 12th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) to address the growing concern of illicit firearms trafficking through fast parcels, an emerging threat in the context of transnational organized crime. [ Read more ]

UNODC advances completion of Firearms Case Law Collection following expert workshop in Serbia. On 3 October 2024 in Belgrade, Serbia, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) hosted a workshop to gather inputs from criminal justice practitioners for the completion of the Firearms Case Law Collection, Volume 2. The meeting brought together over 20 participants from the judiciary, prosecutor’s offices, and law enforcement agencies.[ Read more ]

Delivery of a workshop on the identification, investigation, and prosecution of firearms-related offenses in Ukraine. On 25 September 2024, the UNODC Regional Programme Office for Ukraine within the frame of the Global Firearms Programme (GFP) facilitated a workshop on the identification, investigation, and prosecution of firearms-related offenses and coordination of LEA activities.[ Read more ]

UNODC supported SALW workshop co-organized by UNODA and RACVIAC. On 19 September 2024, UNODC supported the workshop by presenting an overview of its mandates and activities, pressing challenges posed by 3D printed firearms and affiliated legislative challenges. [ Read more ]

Training on Firearms Identification and Classification for Law Enforcement Officers in the Republic of Moldova. In response to the increasing threat of arms trafficking and its potential impact on national security, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), through its Global Firearms Programme, successfully conducted a national training on firearms identification and classification in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova on 10 and 11 September 2024. [ Read more ]

Delivery of technical assistance to the Ministry of Home Affairs of Guyana. The UNODC through its Global Firearms Program, has donated equipment to the Ministry of Home Affairs of Guyana as part of its ongoing project activities in support of countering illicit firearms trafficking. The handover ceremony took place on Tuesday, 16 July 2024, in the Ministry’s Boardroom, with the UNODC representative facilitating the event. [ Read more ]

UNODC delivers X-ray technology training for firearm detection to Moldovan practitioners. UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) conducted a training course on the use of X-ray technology for detecting firearms, their parts, and ammunition which took place from 9 to 11 July 2024 in Constanta, Romania. [ Read more ]

Enhanced K9 Training Program in Georgetown, Guyana. From 8 to 19 July 2024 Guyana hosted an advanced K9 training program aimed at enhancing the detection capabilities of local law enforcement agencies, specifically focusing on illicit firearms and explosives. [ Read more ]

Project Justitia: Presentation of the Commentary to the Macedonian Criminal Code provisions related to firearms offences. On 5 July 2024 in Skopje, North Macedonia, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through its Global Firearms Programme hosted a workshop aimed at strengthening the country's legal framework on firearms offenses. [ Read more ]

Training of Trainers on Firearms Identification and Classification for Law Enforcement Officers from the Republic of Moldova. From 19 to 20 June 2024 in Bucharest, Romania, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), through its Global Firearms Programme, conducted a train-the-trainers session on the identification and classification of firearms, their parts, components, and ammunition for law enforcement officers from the Republic of Moldova. [ Read more ]

Training in Suriname on the Detection, investigation and prosecution of illicit trafficking in firearms. From 11 to 13 June 2024, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), through its Global Firearms Programme, in collaboration with CARICOM IMPACS and with the support of Germany , held a critical firearms training course in Paramaribo. [ Read more ]

UNODC visited the Palace of Justice in Kragujevac. Following the UNODC's structured study trip for judges at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg, on 07 June 2024, UNODC visited the newly built Palace of Justice in Kragujevac, Serbia. [ Read more ]

UNODC hosted students from USA and Serbia to its Programme Office in Belgrade. On 28 May 2024, the UNODC welcomed law students from Missouri, USA, and Serbia to its Programme Office in Belgrade. This educational initiative aimed at broadening the students' understanding of UNODC's diverse mandates and activities. [ Read more ]

Project Justitia: Application of special investigative techniques against firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans. Between 16 and 18 April 2024, in Sarajevo and Pristina, UNODC worked together with representatives from law enforcement, prosecutorial services, and the judiciary in the Western Balkans (WB) to address challenges in applying special investigative measures (SIMs) to cases of organized crime, drugs, and firearms trafficking. [ Read more ]

Project Justitia: Enhancing Judicial Expertise on Balancing Human Rights and Security in Strasbourg. Between March 18th and 21st, 2024, the French Ministry of Justice and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), within the Project Justitia, organized a study visit to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the French judicial institutions in Strasbourg, France, for judges from all Western Balkans jurisdictions. [ Read more ]

Harmonization of judicial practices in adjudicating firearms cases in the Western Balkans. As part of the Project Justitia, UNODC organized meetings with the judiciary from all Western Balkans jurisdictions in the period 27 to 29 February 2024 in Tirana and Podgorica. The aim was to facilitate harmonization of judicial practices in firearms cases through the development of the 2^nd edition of firearms case law collections and training for judges. [ Read more ]

Prosecutors and law enforcement contribute to the development of firearms training in the Western Balkans. From 6 to 8 February 2023, under “Project Justitia”, UNODC held meetings in Skopje and Belgrade to enhance the criminal justice system's response to arms trafficking in the region through the joint development of a specialized Training Course on Investigation and Prosecution of Firearms Offences. [ Read more ]

Progress in legislative harmonization in the Western Balkans in criminalizing arms trafficking activities On 30 January 2024, in Skopje, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme, convened a meeting focusing on the harmonization of criminal justice responses against arms trafficking and the activities under the UNTOC Review Mechanism. [ Read more ]

Operation Armstrong in Latin America. Operation Armstrong is a firearm specific law enforcement operation aimed at empowering participating countries to combat the trafficking of illicit firearms effectively. The operation took place from 11-15th December 2023 involving a total of 6 countries, namely: Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama, and Spain, During the operation, a total of 1,792 officers were specifically deployed for the EAD across four countries. Across various checkpoints a significant volume of items was inspected, totalling 195,880 parcels, 385 luggage pieces, 1 vessel, and 2,285 containers. [ Read more ]

UNODC continues its work on countering firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans through Project Justitia. On December 14, 2023, UNODC launched 'Project Justitia', a criminal justice initiative aimed at countering organized crime and illicit firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans to enhance the region's criminal justice system effectiveness. Project Justitia builds on the UNODC's previous work from 2020 to 2023, primarily focusing on legislative improvements and strengthening judicial, prosecutorial and law enforcement capacities. Progress has been notable in several jurisdictions. [ Read more ]

Montenegro and Serbia contribute to the development of Project Hermes, phase 2. On 29 November 2023, UNODC held a meeting with the representatives of Montenegro and Serbia Customs Administrations, Postal Operators and Ministries of Interior to review the achievements of the first phase of Project Hermes, discuss the implementation of MoUs on exchange of information to counter firearms in postal parcels, the adoption of the SOPs, and finalize consultations of the project's second phase. [ Read more ]

Regional workshop and Training on detection of firearms in courier and post services as part of Operation Armstrong in Latin America. In the run up to Operation Armstrong, a crucial preparatory workshop was held in Ciudad de Panama, Panama, from November 20th to 21st, 2023. The activity allowed participants to finalize national operational plans, coordinate an Action Day, improved risk indicators for police and customs cooperation, and establish communication and reporting mechanisms. The workshop included participants from Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Peru. [ Read more ]

Enhanced Cooperation in North Macedonia to Tackle Illicit Firearms Following Landmark Legal Reforms. In a significant stride towards countering illicit firearms, North Macedonia's Ministry of Interior, the Public Prosecutor of the Republic of North Macedonia, and the Customs Administration have united under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on November 17, 2023. This agreement forms part of a broader effort to strengthen the criminal justice response to arms trafficking, following pivotal amendments to the Macedonian Criminal Code introduced on September 7, 2023. [ Read more ]

UNODC Mission in Costa Rica with a focus on the firearms trafficking situation and related legislation. UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme conducted a scoping mission to Costa Rica, from 8 to 10 November 2023, in order to take stock of existing legislation, its implementation, as well as the firearms trafficking landscape. Led by Simonetta Grassi, Head of UNODC Firearms Trafficking Section, the team engaged with relevant ministries and organized technical discussions on the existing legislative frameworks. [ Read more ]

Ukrainian Railways and UNODC's Global Firearms Programme cooperate in increasing Civilian Security. In 2023, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme has initiated a project to aid the PJSC Ukrainian Railways in increasing civilian security. The project aims at enhancing the capabilities of the Railways Security Service to detect illicit firearms and explosives. The need for reinforced safety measures has grown due to the current conflict, prompting Ukrainian Railways to re-evaluate its security procedures, especially concerning passengers and cargo transport. [ Read more ]

Project Hermes: Custom Administration and Designated Postal Operator in Montenegro adopted Standard Operating Procedures. On 13 and 17 October 2023 in Montenegro, the Director of the Customs Administration (CA) and the Board of Directors of the Designated Postal Operator (DPO) adopted Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), providing a structured approach to detect firearms, their parts and components, ammunition, and other illicit goods in express courier and postal parcels. [ Read more ]

Regional meeting on firearms trafficking and related crimes. Cotonou-Benin. Given the persistent security challenges in West Africa, including in the Sahel and the extension of the terrorist threat towards the Gulf of Guinea, particularly linked to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW), UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme (GPF), continues to work with countries in the sub region in order to combat illicit firearms trafficking. [ Read more ]

Project Hermes: Custom Administrations and Designated Postal Operators in Serbia and Montenegro signed Memorandum of Understanding. On 11 September 2023 in Serbia, and 20 September 2023 in Montenegro, significant milestones were reached as the Directors of the Custom Administrations and the Designated Postal Operators came together to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). [ Read more ]

Project Hermes: finalizing SOPs and MoU on countering firearms trafficking in postal parcels. The UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held two impactful workshops from 1st to 2nd and from 8th to 9th August 2023 under Hermes project in the Western Balkans. These workshops united key stakeholders to combat a pressing challenge – firearms trafficking within postal parcels, exemplifying the power of collaboration. [ Read more ]

Firearms Trafficking Section Newsletter - Issue 2

Regional meeting of the Community of Practitioners on Data collection and information sharing for operational use in cases of small arms and light weapons trafficking and terrorism in Central Asia. Ankara – Turkey. UNCCT-UNOCT and UNODC concluded a successful regional meeting of the Community of Practitioners. This meeting, which focused on data collection, information sharing, and operational use in cases of small arms and light weapons (SALW) trafficking and terrorism, was held in Central Asia from 14-16 June 2023 at the Turkish International Academy against Drugs and Organized Crime (TADOC) in Ankara, Turkey. [ Read more ]

Training on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking in Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo – Dominican Republic. UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP), in close cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and Police of the Dominican Republic, organized a training on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking in Dominican Republic from 13 to 16 of June 2023. [ Read more ]

Key consultation with non-governmental stakeholders to finalize UNODC Global Strategy on Illicit Firearms and interconnected threats 2023-2030. Vienna, Austria. UNODC Firearms Trafficking Section (FTS) together with UNODC Civil Society Unit (CSU) engaged in a consultation with relevant non-governmental stakeholders on the future UNODC Global Strategy on Illicit Firearms and Interconnected Threats – 2023-2030 on 2 June 2023. The consultation was attended by more than 40 participants from different regions of the world from the civil society, academia and private sector, and is part of the process of finalizing the Global Strategy, expected to be launched in the coming months. [ Read more ]

Training magistrates and investigators in Senegal to prevent firearms trafficking. Dakar, Senegal. UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized a “Training workshop for magistrates and investigators on the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of firearms related offenses” from 30 May to 1 June 2023. The workshop focused on strengthening the technical and operational capacities of magistrates and investigators in order gain specific skills to conduct firearms trafficking parallel investigations, as well as on prosecution and adjudication. To benefit from the expertise of participants, the training focused on practical exercises that were developed and discussed in groups. [ Read more ]

UNODC launches the Guidelines on Investigation and Prosecution of Firearms Offences. Vienna, Austria - UNODC´s Global Firearms Programme (GFP) presented on 26 May 2023 its Guidelines on Investigation and Prosecution of Firearms Offences during a side event held at the 32nd Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ). Attended by 50 criminal justice practitioners and diplomats, the event aimed to contribute to international efforts in tackling the complexities associated with illicit firearms trafficking. Subsequent to the introductory remarks, the Guidelines were introduced, paving the way for a panel discussion. The panellists shared insights on the challenges involved in investigating and prosecuting firearms-related crimes and offered perspectives on the potential of the Guidelines to promote standardized approaches and best practices globally. [ Read more ]

Gros Islet, Saint Lucia – UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme (GFP) in close cooperation with the Government of Saint Lucia, organized a workshop on 19 May 2023 to enhance the national capacities of Saint Lucia in its collection and analysis of firearms-related data to monitor the trafficking of illicit firearms. The workshop included welcoming remarks from CARICOM IMPACS, who thanked UNODC for its “continued partnership in the fight to reduce illicit arms flow in the Caribbean” and highlighted that the region faces a serious dilemma as “proper data analysis is not done and unfortunately, the wrong prescription is given to the problem”. [ Read more ]

Workshop on the Creation of an Integrated Firearms Centre/National Firearms Focal Point in Saint Lucia. Gros Islet, Saint Lucia – UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme (GFP), in close cooperation with the Government of Saint Lucia and CARICOM IMPACS, organised a workshop from the 16-18 of May 2023 to discuss the establishment of an Integrated Firearms Centre (IFC). The workshop included welcoming remarks from Ronald Philip, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, who emphasised that “transnational organised crime requires transnational solutions” and highlighted that “these types of activities if left unchallenged can threaten the security of citizens in the region and the tourism industry”. [ Read more ]

Project Hermes: developing SOPs and MoUs on countering firearms trafficking in postal parcels. UNODC has launched a regional project, Project Hermes, aimed at countering firearms trafficking in postal parcels in the Western Balkans. As part of this initiative, on 9-10 May 2023, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held workshops in Skopje, North Macedonia; Podgorica, Montenegro; and Pristina, Kosovo* bringing together Customs Administrations (CA) and designated postal operators (DPOs) to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for cooperation in countering firearms trafficking in postal parcels. [ Read more ]

Review of the regulatory framework on countering firearms trafficking in postal parcels under Project Hermes. On 26 April 2023, UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized workshops in Belgrade, Serbia, and Skopje, North Macedonia, with representatives of designated postal operators (DPO) and Customs Administrations (CA) from all six jurisdictions of the Western Balkans to review the regulatory framework on countering trafficking in firearms, their parts and components, and ammunition in express courier and postal parcels. [ Read more ]

Workshop on data collection and analysis for the monitoring of illicit arms flows in Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo - Dominican Republic. UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP), organised a workshop on 21 April 2023 to strengthen the capacities of Dominican Republic to collect and analysis firearms-related data to monitor illicit arm flows and contribute to both measuring the achievement of Target 16.4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and promoting an evidence-based action against firearms trafficking. [ Read more ]

Training on detection of firearms in Dominican Republic to identify illicit trafficking in postal parcels, land and maritime boarders. Santo Domingo - Dominican Republic. UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP), in close cooperation with the Government of the Dominican Republic, the Ministry of Interior, Police and the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Vienna, organized a training on the detection of illicit firearms trafficking in Santo Domingo from 18 to 20 of April 2023, aimed at strengthening capacities of practitioners to detect illicitly transferred firearms. [ Read more ]

Countries call for stronger cooperation in Latin America Southern Cone to fight trafficking of firearms in the region at UNODC meeting. Brasilia, Brazil. Countries from Latin America Southern Cone (Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay) and Bolivia stressed the need for enhancing international cooperation to fight against the illicit trafficking of firearms in the region, during a workshop organized by UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme (GFP). [ Read more ]

UNODC supports establishment of Joint Investigation Team between Benin and Burkina Faso focused on firearms trafficking. Cotonou-Benin. UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP), supported the organization from 3 to 6 April 2023 of the first regional Joint Investigation Team (JIT) meeting between Burkina Faso and Benin, aimed at strengthening the investigation, prosecuting, adjudication, and addressing the transnational aspects of specific firearms trafficking cases. [ Read more ]

Legislative Drafting and Verification Workshop on the Implementation of the Firearms Protocol and complementing international and regional instruments on arms control in Trinidad and Tobago. Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The Global Firearms Programme (GFP) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) organized a legislative drafting and verification workshop between the 3 and 5 of April to share and discuss a draft Firearms Bill as part of an ongoing joint legislative effort with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago since June 2022, to align the legislation with the country's regional and international commitments. [ Read more ]

Legislative Workshop on the Implementation of the Firearms Protocol and complementing international and regional instruments on arms control in Saint Lucia. Castries, Saint Lucia. The Global Firearms Programme (GFP) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) organized a legislative workshop to present and discuss the assessment of the firearms-related legislation in Saint Lucia on the 30 and 31 of March. The scope of the legislative report encompassed a detailed analysis into the current Firearms Act in light of the regional and international agreements such as the Firearms Protocol, Arms Trade Treaty and the Palermo Convention. [ Read more ]

Workshop on Detection of Illicit Trafficking in Firearms in Trinidad and Tobago - Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. UNODC’s Firearms Trafficking Section, in close cooperation with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, organised a training from 13 to 15 of March, to develop the capacities of 18 officers from various law enforcement agencies on the detection of firearms, their parts and components and ammunition in line with the established procedures and operational tactics, as well as to increase inter-agency cooperation at the borders. [ Read more ]

Launch of the Project Hermes in the Western Balkans - In the period 20-24 March 2023, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) launched in the Western Balkans the new regional project Hermes, which focuses on countering trafficking in firearms, their parts and ammunition in Express Courier and postal parcels. The project Hermes was developed based on GFP’s methodology to address these threats and the experience in implementing project activities in countering firearms trafficking in parcels in BiH and Ukraine. [ Read more ]

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. UNODC’s Firearms Trafficking Section, in close cooperation with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, organized a workshop to discuss the establishment of an Integrated Firearms Centre (IFC), on the 16 and 17 of March 2023, opened by Honourable Fitzgerald Hinds, Minister of National Security, who highlighted the need to combat the illicit movement of firearms locally and regionally. “People in our region are bleeding by the hour”, highlighted the Minister and referred to the crime and violence situation in the Caribbean as “a pandemic”, recognising that the Government has a responsibility to act and protect its citizens. [ Read more ]

National Firearms Legislation Workshop in Turkmenistan to promote regional harmonization of laws and practices - Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. More than twenty national experts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, General Prosecutor’s Office, Supreme Court, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Defense, and the Border Control Services participated in the “Workshop on National Firearms Legislation: Opportunities for Updating and Harmonization”, organized by UNODC, through the Firearms Trafficking Section, and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT-UNCCT), on 9 and 10 of March 2023. [ Read more ]

Delivery of a storage warehouse for seized weapons in NIGER - Niamey-Niger. On, 4 March 2023 UNODC, through the Firearms Trafficking Section (FTS), handed over a storage warehouse for seized arms and ammunition to the National Gendarmerie. The activity was part of UNODC’s efforts in countering transnational organized crime and terrorism in the country, which include securing weapons and ammunition seized, voluntarily surrendered or found pending their final fate (restitution, confiscation or destruction as appropriate) [ Read more ]

Customization of UNODC’s Guidelines on investigation and prosecution of firearms offences in North Macedonia. In 2021-2022, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) developed the Guidelines on Investigation and Prosecution of Firearms Offences. These Guidelines are based on the principles embodied in the UN Convention against Organized Crime and the United Nations Firearms Protocol, explaining all relevant stages of the criminal justice response, including the normative framework, investigation, prosecution, and adjudication, as well as international cooperation. The Guidelines also provide advice to effectively tackle firearms offences using illustrative case-based examples, identifying both successes and difficulties encountered by practitioners. [ Read more ]

Exchange of experiences in identification of needs for detection of firearms in Express Courier and postal parcels - Within the period of 20 – 24 February 2023, in Montenegro, the Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA) of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the Montenegrin Customs Administration and UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP), organized an exchange of experiences in the identification and assessing needs for detection of firearms, their parts and components, ammunition and explosives in Express Courier and postal parcels. [ Read more ]

Training magistrates and investigators in Mali to prevent firearms trafficking - Bamako-Mali. More than twenty specialized Counter Terrorism Pole magistrates and investigators, members of the National Permanent Secretariat against firearms proliferation and other investigators from Interpol, forensics services, police and gendarmerie participated in the last “Training workshop for magistrates and investigators on the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of firearms related offenses”, organized by the Firearms Trafficking Section (FTS), from 13 to 16 February, in Bomoko, Mali. [ Read more ]

Handover of x-ray scanners to Bosnia and Herzegovina to counter illicit firearms trafficking. In 2023, the Global Firearms Programme (GFP) has organized the handover of three x-ray scanners to the Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ITA BIH) as part of its activities under the project HALT, a joint project between UNODC and UNDP BiH, with an objective to counter illicit firearms trafficking. The scanners are part of the technical assistance provided by GFP to its counterparts in BiH, which includes support for development of standard operating procedures, delivery of foundation training on firearms identification and advanced training on firearms X-ray image analysis. [ Read more ]

Training law enforcement officers on evidence-based investigations and new technologies use in illicit trafficking of firearms. Budva, Montenegro. The Firearms Trafficking Section (FTS) conducted a training session of 23 law enforcement officers from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia - five of them women – during a train-the-trainer in Budva, Montenegro, on data collection and the use of intelligence for investigation of illicit firearms trafficking. [ Read more ]

International students reflect on the role of illicit firearms in organized crime and experience real scenarios on criminal justice responses - Trento, Italy. 31 January – 1 February. Students from international Universities participated in an interactive session conducted by UNODC Firearms Trafficking Section in the framework of the Winter School at Trento University where they had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge on the international instruments that support an adequate criminal justice response to the illicit firearms trafficking problem. [ Read more ]

Guidelines on investigation and prosecution of firearms offences. Local meeting in Serbia - On 31 January 2023 in Belgrade, Serbia, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a meeting to present the Guidelines on investigation and prosecution of firearms offences (Guidelines) to representatives from the educational institutions, prosecutors’ offices and law enforcement in Serbia. The participants discussed the content of the document with the aim to identify modalities for its customization to national material and procedural legal framework and its use as a tool for provision of capacity building to criminal justice practitioners. [ Read more ]

Training Magistrates and investigators in Benin to prevent firearms trafficking - Cotonou-Benin. UNODC, through its Firearms Trafficking Section (FTS), organized from 16 to 19 January 2023 a “Training workshop for magistrates and investigators on the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of firearms related offenses”. [ Read more ]

UNODC Illicit Arms Flows Questionnaire: baseline assessment in the Western Balkans - On 7 December 2022, UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized a meeting with representatives from the Western Balkans with the objective to review and validate the baseline assessment on firearms data in the criminal justice system.[ Read more ]

Expert Group Meeting on Harmonization of domestic criminal legislation with the UN Firearms Protocol - On 2 December 2022 in Belgrade, Serbia, UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held an expert group meeting on the harmonization of domestic criminal legislation with the UN Firearms Protocol, between the representatives of North Macedonia (NMKD), Montenegro (MNE), and Serbia (SRB). [ Read more ]

Second regional meeting on firearms case law - On 1 December 2022 in Belgrade, Serbia, UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held the second regional meeting on firearms case law. The meeting gathered 55 participants from the Western Balkans, representing the judiciary, prosecutor’s offices and judicial academies. [ Read more ]

UNODC’s Firearms Trafficking Section and AIRCOP deliver a training on detection of firearms trafficking in Jamaica - Montego Bay and Kingston, Jamaica, 15-22 November 2022 – UNODC’s Firearms Trafficking Section delivered a training course, jointly organised with AIRCOP Programme, on detection of firearms trafficking to AIRCOP Units and officials from Customs, Constabulary Force and Central Aviation Authority posted at Sangster and Norman Manley International Airports. [ Read more ]

The role of prosecutors in the criminal justice response to counter firearms trafficking - Within the period of 9 – 10 November 2022 in Belgrade, Serbia, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a regional meeting on the role of prosecutors in criminal justice response to counter firearms trafficking. The objective of the meeting was to consider prosecutors’ competencies in addressing firearms-related offences and to identify the measures for strengthening their role in the criminal justice system. [ Read more ]

UNODC’s Firearms Trafficking Section and AIRCOP deliver a training on detection of firearms trafficking in Barbados - Bridgetown, Barbados, 24-28 October 2022 – UNODC Firearms Trafficking Section delivered a training course on detection of firearms trafficking to Customs and Immigration Service in Barbados, organised jointly with AIRCOP with the financial support of the European Union, in the framework of the Global Illicit Flows Programme. [ Read more ]

UNOCT and UNODC conduct capacity consultations on the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons and their illicit supply to terrorists in Turkmenistan - Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 11 - 14 October 2022 - UNOCT-UNCCT, UNODC, CTED and UNODA conducted the Capacity Consultations with the competent authorities of Turkmenistan in the framework of joint UNOCT-UNODC Project "Addressing the terrorism-arms-crime nexus: Preventing and combatting the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons and their illicit supply to terrorists". [ Read more ]

Collection of Electronic Evidence from Internet Service Providers - 2^nd edition of UNODC’s Practical Guide - Within the period of 10 – 11 October 2022 in Serbia, UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) in cooperation with UNODC Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB), held a regional meeting to present the 2^nd edition of the UNODC’s Practical Guide for Requesting E-evidence Across Borders (Practical Guide), with the aim to facilitate exchange among criminal justice practitioners on the topic and to identify their needs for successful acquiring, handling and presenting the e-evidence in criminal proceedings. [ Read more ]

Bi-lateral operations support customs cooperation in the Western Balkans - Belgrade, Serbia, 27-28 September 2022 - UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) and UNODC-World Customs Organization (WCO) Container Control Programme (CCP) jointly organized a regional “Customs Cross-border Cooperation in the Western Balkans“ meeting for Customs Administrations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia to review the results of bi-lateral operations on countering illicit goods trafficking that took place between 2021 and 2022. [ Read more ]

UNIDIR-UNODC Issue Brief - Vienna, 14 September 2022 - Illicit arms and ammunition link conflict to crime as well as crime to conflict. Illicit arms can both enable and fuel an armed conflict, while different conflict phases provide opportunities for the diversion of arms and a potentially lucrative income source for organized arms trafficking networks. To date, there has been limited research examining the linkages between all three of these security challenges. [ Read more ]

UNODC’s Firearms Trafficking Section supports the efforts of the Republic of Paraguay to establish an Integrated Firearms Center - Asuncion, Paraguay, 13-15 September 2022 - A workshop was organized by the UNODC’s Firerarms Trafficking Section to draft the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the creation of an Integrated Firearms Center in the Republic of Paraguay. [ Read More ]

UNODC conducts a Workshop on National Legislation on Firearms in Uzbekistan - On 16-17 August 2022, UNODC jointly with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), regional, and national experts organized a workshop on improving the national legislation on firearms in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. [ Read More ]

UNODC conducted a workshop “Interinstitutional Cooperation on preventing firearms trafficking and its diversion to terrorists” in Tashkent, Uzbekistan - On 25-26 July 2022, within the framework of the Joint UNODC/UNOCT initiative “Addressing the terrorism-arms-crime nexus: Preventing and combatting the illicit trafficking of small-arms and light weapons and their illicit supply to terrorists” - Phase II, workshop on Interinstitutional Cooperation on preventing firearms trafficking and its diversion to terrorists was organized in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. [ Read More ]

UNODC facilitates a discussion on the new trends in firearms trafficking in Latin America - Buenos Aires, Argentina, 15 July 2022 – UNODC’s Firearms Trafficking Section facilitated a discussion on the new trends in firearms trafficking in Latin America gathering 37 Heads of the Argentinian Federal Police Units. [ Read More ]

UNODC promotes efforts of the Latin American countries to counter illicit firearms trafficking and related crimes, foster international cooperation through the establishment of joint investigation teams and operational cooperation agreements between different countries - Buenos Aires, Argentina - 12 to 14 July 2022, the UNODC’s Firearms Trafficking Section held a meeting with 42 representatives of Law Enforcement Agencies, Public prosecutors’ offices and Central Authorities from 14 Latin American countries with the aim to promote and coordinate regional efforts in countering illicit firearms trafficking and related crimes. [ Read More ]

UNODC promotes collaboration between the National Ministry of Security and the National Public Prosecutor's Office of Argentina - Buenos Aires, Argentina, 12 July 2022 – UNODC’s Firearms Trafficking Section instigated the signing of the Assistance and Collaboration Framework Agreement between the Ministry of Security of the Nation and the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Nation. [ Read More ]

Workshop on data collection and analysis for the monitoring of illicit arms flows in Jamaica - Kingston, 8 July 2022 – UNODC’s Firearms Trafficking Section organised a workshop to strengthen the capacities of Jamaican authorities to collect and analysis firearms-related data for the purposes of monitoring illicit arm flows and contribute to both measuring the achievement of Target 16.4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and promoting an evidence-based action against firearms trafficking. [ Read More ]

Regional meeting on firearms trafficking and related offenses in Africa - From 5 to 7 July 2022, in Dakar, a regional meeting on firearms trafficking and related offenses in Africa was held in the framework of the DISRUPT Project. [ Read More ]

Training on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking and related offences in Jamaica - Kingston, 4-7 July 2022 – UNODC’s Firearms Trafficking Section organised a four-days training on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking and related offences in Jamaica, supporting the Government’s efforts to push for higher standards of investigation, prosecution for firearms-related crimes. [ Read More ]

Legislative Workshop on the Implementation of the United Nations Firearms Protocol and Complementing International and Regional Instruments on Arms Control in Trinidad and Tobago - The Firearms Trafficking Section (FTS) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) organized a hybrid legislative workshop to present and discuss the UNODC FTS’s comprehensive assessment of the domestic legislation in Trinidad and Tobago on 29-30 June 2022. [ Read More ]

UNODC Firearms Trafficking Section organised a virtual regional meeting for the Caribbean States to present and discuss the draft Guidelines on Investigation and Prosecution of Firearms Offences in cooperation with CARICOM IMPACS - 23-24 June 2022, the UNODC Firearms Trafficking Section organised in close cooperation with CARICOM IMPACS a virtual regional meeting to present to Caribbean countries the Investigative and Prosecutorial Guidelines for Firearms Trafficking and Related Crimes that the Section is about to publish. [ Read More ]

UNODC held the 3rd Expert Group Meeting on the finalization of the Guidelines on Investigation and Prosecution of Firearms Offences - Vienna, 13 – 14 June 2022, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized the 3rd Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on the Guidelines on Investigation and Prosecution of Firearms Offences. [ Read More ]

Regional meeting on Special Investigative Measures applicable to Firearms Offences in the Western Balkans - Within the period from 25 to 26 May 2022, in Belgrade, the Republic of Serbia, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized a regional meeting on Special Investigative Measures (SIMs), applicable to firearms offences. [ Read More ]

UNODC held a regional meeting on harmonization of firearms-related case law - Within the period of 11 – 12 May 2022 in Belgrade, Serbia, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a regional meeting on harmonization of firearms-related case law. [ Read More ]

Working with the Democratic Republic of Congo on the drafting of a new law on firearms - Kinshasa, (DRC) 19-21 April 2022 – UNODC, through the Firearms Program organized a legislative assistance workshop on the fight against illicit firearms trafficking in order to support the process of drafting a law on the general regime in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [ Read More ]

Workshop on data collection and analysis for the monitoring of illicit arms flows in Trinidad and Tobago - Port of Spain, 8 April 2022 – UNODC’s Firearms Trafficking Section organised a workshop to strengthen the capacities of Trinidad and Tobago authorities to collect and analysis firearms-related data for the purposes of monitoring illicit arm flows and contribute to both measuring the achievement of Target 16.4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). [ Read More ]

Capacity building on ballistics and forensic science in Niger - UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme, organized from 5 to 8 April 2021 in Niamey, Niger, a “Capacity building workshop on the sue of forensic sciences in firearms related investigations”. [ Read More ]

Training on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking and related offences in Trinidad and Tobago -

Port of Spain, 4-7 April 2022 – UNODC’s Firearms Trafficking Section organised in close cooperation with CARICOM IMPACS a four-days training on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking and related offences in Trinidad and Tobago. [ Read More ]

Harmonization of the criminal legislation with the UN Firearms Protocol in the Western Balkans - On 6 April 2022 in Serbia, UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a regional meeting on harmonization of the criminal legislation with the UN Firearms Protocol in the Western Balkans. The meeting gathered representatives of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Ministry of Interior and Prosecutor’s Office from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. [ Read More ]

Collection of electronic evidence in firearms investigations in Serbia - Within the period of 5 and 7 April 2022 in Serbia, UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) conducted a training on collecting electronic evidence (e-evidence), in illicit firearms trafficking and firearms-related investigations. [ Read More ]

Electronic evidence in investigation and prosecution of firearms offences - In March 2022, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) has initiated a series of training events in the Western Balkans with a focus on supporting prosecutors, law enforcement and customs officials with investigative powers to collect relevant and admissible electronic evidence to support firearms related investigations. [ Read More ]

Training on risk-indicators for detection of firearms in Bosnia and Herzegovina - On 24-25 March 2022, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme has organized in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), a training on risk-indicators for detection of firearms, their parts and components and ammunition in fast and postal parcels for officials from Hrvatska Posta Mostar, BH Posta, Srpske Poste and BiH Customs. [ Read More ]

Collection of electronic evidence in firearms investigations in Montenegro - Within the period of 22 – 24 March 2022 in Montenegro, UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) conducted a training on collecting electronic evidence (e-evidence), in illicit firearms trafficking and firearms-related investigations. [ Read More ]

GFP supports the creation of an Integrated Firearms Centre in Paraguay - Asuncion Paraguay, 10-11 March 2022 – UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme, organised a workshop in close cooperation with the government of Paraguay aimed at continuing the efforts to support the creation of an Integrated Firearms Centre in the country.[ Read More ]

GFP delivers a training on strengthening the cooperation for the investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay - Between 7 and 9 March 2022, UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme organised a training course to strengthen cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, which took place in Asuncion, Paraguay. [ Read More ]

Meeting on firearms data collection in Serbia - On 22 February 2022, UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a meeting on firearms data collection in Serbia. The overall meeting objective is to collect information on data collection practices, in order to provide a baseline assessment and give recommendations to ensure submission of high-quality information to UNODC’s Illicit Arms Flow Initiative on regular basis. [ Read More ]

UNODC held training on identification and tracing of firearms for Macedonian prosecutors - On 18 February 2022, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held training on the identification and tracing of firearms for 22 prosecutors. The participants represented Prosecutor’s Offices from all 4 different appellate areas in North Macedonia. [ Read More ]

Equipment for the Security Service of Ukraine to support firearms trafficking investigations - 18 February 2022 - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) has provided to the Security Service of Ukraine the final batch of equipment in support of investigations and legal proceedings against firearms trafficking cases and related crimes. [ Read More ]

Workshop on UNODC’s Illicit Arms Flows Monitoring Initiative in Skopje, North Macedonia - On 15 February 2022, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a workshop to support the participation of Macedonian institutions in the UNODC’s Illicit Arms Flows Monitoring Initiative through regular collection and sharing of consolidated criminal justice data on firearms. [ Read More ]

UNODC hosted a debriefing meeting on operation Tara 2021 in Budva, Montenegro - On 8-9 February 2022 in Budva, Montenegro, UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme (GFP) in cooperation with the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) supported the organization of a debriefing meeting between Customs of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). [ Read More ]

Countering illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and ammunition through analysis of X-ray images - On 8 February 2022, UNODC GFP has started a series of four trainings in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) on analysis of x-ray images for detection of illicit trafficking and illicit manufacturing of firearms, their parts, components and ammunition.[ Read More ]

Workshop on UNODC’s Illicit Arms Flows Monitoring Initiative in Sarajevo, BiH - on 26 January 2021, UNODC GFP has organized a workshop to support the participation of BiH institutions in the UNODC’s Illicit Arms Flows Monitoring Initiative through regular collection and sharing of consolidated criminal justice data on firearms. [ Read More ]

UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme organises with CARICOM IMPACS a virtual regional meeting for Caribbean countries on Integrated Firearms Centres - on 25 and 26 January 2022, UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme, in close cooperation with CARICOM IMPACS and thanks to German financing, organised a virtual regional meeting about the establishment of Integrated Firearms Centres in the Caribbean region, a strategic initiative proposed by UNODC to support the implementation of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap. [ Read More ]

Workshop in BiH on the harmonization of criminal law with the UN Firearms Protocol and on the UNTOC Review Mechanism - on 25 January 2022 in Sarajevo, BiH, UNODC GFP held a workshop on the Criminal Code harmonization with UN Firearms Protocol and BiH’s participation in the UNODC’s Mechanism for the Review of the Implementation of the UNTOC and Protocols thereto. [ Read More ]

UNODC held a second Expert Group Meeting on development of Guidelines on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking cases and Global Digest on Firearms Cases - Vienna, 11-14 January 2022, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a second Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on development of Guidelines on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking cases (Guidelines). [ Read More ]

Operation KAFO III - disrupting firearms trafficking flows in the Sahel with UNODC support - Vienna (Austria), 5 January 2022 – In a two-week long operation against firearms trafficking in the Sahel, 850 officers from across relevant law enforcement agencies seized a total of 594 firearms and several thousand rounds of ammunition, including among suspected terrorists, early December last year.[ Read More ]

UNODC held a workshop on Inter-institutional exchange of information in Berovo, North Macedonia - 10 December, Berovo, North Macedonia: The UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) hosted a workshop to foster an inter-institutional exchange of information in firearms-related cases. [ Read More ]

UNODC has organized training for Ukrainian prosecutors on identification and tracing of firearms - On 9 December 2021, UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP), organized practical training for prosecutors on the investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking in Ukraine. [ Read More ]

Methodological recommendations for investigation and prosecution of firearms offences in Ukraine completed - On 8 December 2021, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP), has organized the second workshop in Kyiv, Ukraine, with members from the Prosecutor’s General Office of Ukraine, State Bureau of Investigation, Security Service of Ukraine and Ministry of Interior to review and complete the draft text of the methodological recommendations for investigating and prosecuting crimes under Articles 201, 263 and 263-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. [ Read More ]

UNODC held a workshop on Inter-institutional exchange of information in Mavrovo, North Macedonia - 7 December, Mavrovo, North Macedonia: The UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) hosted a workshop to foster an inter-institutional exchange of information in firearms-related cases. [ Read More ]

Criminal justice response to arms trafficking in Ukraine: exchange of good practices and experiences with international counterparts - On 7 December 2021, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) has organized a workshop with representatives from Ukrainian law enforcement, prosecutorial and security services and criminal justice practitioners from Romania, Slovakia, Georgia, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, EUROPOL and FRONTEX. [ Read More ]

Training for Public Postal Operators in BiH on detection of firearms in postal parcels - On 1-2 December 2021, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) has delivered a training for 14 representatives of Hrvatska posta Mostar, Poste Srpske a.d. Banja Luka, and BH Posta on detecting firearms, their parts and ammunition in postal shipments. [ Read More ]

UNODC held Training on identification and tracing of firearms for Macedonian prosecutors - On 26 November 2021, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held training on the identification and tracing of firearms for 17 prosecutors. The participants represented Prosecutor’s Offices from all 4 different appellate areas in the state. [ Read More ]

EMPACT and UNODC GFP jointly held a workshop on the detection of firearms in fast and postal parcels within the framework of Operation Armstrong - On 25 November 2021, in Kyiv, Ukraine, the European Union through its European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) and UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) have organized a workshop on the detection of firearms in fast and postal parcels within the framework of Operation Armstrong. [ Read More ]

6^thMeeting of the Working Group on Firearms Data Collection in Ukraine - On 24 November 2021, UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) has facilitated the 6^thMeeting of the Working Group on Firearms Data Collection in Ukraine. The overall objective of the Working Group is to ensure submission of high-quality information to UNODC’s Illicit Arms Flow Initiative (IAFI) on regular basis. [ Read More ]

UNODC held a workshop on Inter-institutional exchange of information in Ohrid, North Macedonia - 19 November, Ohrid, North Macedonia: The UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) hosted a workshop to foster an inter-institutional exchange of information in firearms-related cases. The event gathered 21 participants from three different institutions competent for processing firearms-related cases, the Prosecution, Ministry of Interior including border police, and Customs Administration. [ Read More ]

Case law on firearms trafficking: judicial practice from the courts in Kosovo - On 10 November 2021, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) with the facilitation of the United Nations Interim Mission in Kosovo has conducted a workshop for judges on the case law developed under Chapter XXIX “Weapons offences” of the Kosovo Criminal Code. [ Read More ]

UNODC GFP held a workshop in Serbia on the Criminal Code harmonization and UNTOC Review Mechanism - On 3 November 2021 in Belgrade, Serbia, the UNODC GFP held a workshop on the Criminal Code harmonization with UN Firearms Protocol and Serbia’s participation in the UNODC’s Mechanism for the Review of the Implementation of the UNTOC and Protocols thereto. [ Read More ]

UNODC conducted a workshop on information exchange on criminal procedural law applicable in firearms investigations in Bosnia and Herzegovina - On 28 October 2021, in Trebinje, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) has conducted a workshop on information exchange on criminal procedural law applicable in firearms investigations. Nine criminal justice practitioners, including prosecutors, representatives of the State Investigation and Protection Agency and Border Police, have attended the workshop. [ Read More ]

3rd workshop on information exchange on criminal procedural law applicable in firearms investigations in Bosnia and Herzegovina - On 21 October 2021, in Bihac, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), UNODC conducted a third workshop on information exchange on criminal procedural law applicable in firearms investigations through its Global Firearms Programme. Eleven criminal justice practitioners, including prosecutors, State Investigation and Protection Agency representatives, and Border Police, attended the workshop. [ Read More ]

5^th Meeting of the Working Group on Firearms Data Collection in Ukraine - On 21 October 2021, UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) has facilitated the 5^thMeeting of the Working Group on Firearms Data Collection in Ukraine. The overall objective of the Working Group is to ensure submission of high-quality information to UNODC’s Illicit Arms Flow Initiative (IAFI) on regular basis. [ Read More ]

UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme delivered a training on detection of firearms trafficking in Guyana - From 19 to 21 October 2021, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme delivered a training for first line responders from the Customs, Police and Postal Services on detection of firearms trafficking in Guyana. The activity was conducted in cooperation with Guyana’s national authorities and CARICOM IMPACS.[ Read More ]

UNODC GFP presents draft guidelines for countering smuggling of illicit firearms in Ukraine - On 19 October 2021, the Prosecutor’s Training Center of Ukraine and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP), have organized a workshop with members from the Prosecutor’s General Office of Ukraine, State Bureau of Investigation, Security Service of Ukraine and Ministry of Interior to present UNODC’s draft guidelines for investigating and prosecuting crimes under Articles 201, 263 and 263-1 of the. Criminal Code of Ukraine.[ Read More ]

Workshop for Montenegrin prosecutors and judges to present the Firearms Case Law collection and to identify areas for harmonizing court practices - On 15 October 2021, the Center of Training of Judiciary and Prosecutors in Montenegro and UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized a workshop for prosecutors and judges to present the Firearms Case Law collection and to identify areas for harmonizing court practices.[ Read More ]

Role of the Parliament in Montenegro for harmonizing the Criminal Code with the UN Firearms Protocol - On 14 October 2021, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP), organized a workshop with Members of the Parliament (MPs) of Montenegro with the objective to provide updates on the process of harmonization of criminal legislation in Montenegro with the criminalization provisions of the UN Firearms Protocol. [ Read More ]

UNODC GFP supports the Working Group under the Ministry of Justice in Montenegro for harmonizing the Criminal Code with the UN Firearms Protocol - On 13 October 2021, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP), facilitated a workshop with the Working Group (WG) under the Ministry of Justice of Montenegro with the objective to review the progress towards harmonizing the Criminal Code with the criminalization provisions of the UN Firearms Protocol.[ Read More ]

GFP held an online meeting with members of the Working Group in North Macedonia - On 6 October 2021, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) has continued providing support to the Working Group (WG) on amending the Criminal Code in North Macedonia by organizing an online meeting with members of the WG. [ Read More ]

EMPACT and GFP jointly held a regional training on the detection of firearms in fast and postal parcels within the framework of Operation Armstrong - On 5 October 2021, the European Union through its European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) and UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme have organized a regional training on the detection of firearms in fast and postal parcels within the framework of Operation Armstrong.[ Read More ]

GFP conducted a workshop on information exchange on criminal procedural law applicable in firearms investigations in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina - On 30 September 2021, in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), UNODC conducted a workshop on information exchange on criminal procedural law applicable in firearms investigations through its Global Firearms Programme. [ Read More ]

Firearms detection training in the Central African Republic - UNODC, through the Global Firearms Program, organized from 28 to 30 September 2021, a training on the “Detection and investigation of illicit firearms trafficking in land border crossings” in Bangui, aimed at law enforcement and criminal justice officers and officials. [ Read More ]

UNODC held a first online Expert Group Meeting on development of Guidelines on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking cases - On 28 and 29 September 2021, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a first online Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on development of Guidelines on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking cases (Guidelines). [ Read More ]

UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme delivered a training on detection of firearms trafficking in Saint Lucia - From 21 to 24 September 2021, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme delivered a training for first line responders from the Customs, Police and Postal Services on detection of firearms trafficking in Saint Lucia.[ Read More ]

UNODC held a second inter-institutional exchange of information meeting on firearms trafficking cases in Serbia - On 21 September 2021 in Novi Sad, Serbia, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a meeting to foster the inter-institutional exchange of information in firearms trafficking cases. [ Read More ]

Improving international cooperation in West Africa to prevent firearms trafficking - Since 2011 UNODC, through the Global Firearms Programme, has been working with countries in West Africa and in the Sahel to improve skills on the ground and contribute to preventing firearms trafficking. In this context, for the third consecutive year, UNODC organized a regional training of trainers aiming at providing practical skills to practitioners. [ Read More ]

UNODC conducted Needs Assessment and GAP Analysis for Macedonian Customs regarding detection of firearms in postal shipments - 17 September, Skopje, North Macedonia: The UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) has met with the heads of various departments within the Customs Administration as a final meeting of the three weeks process of needs assessment and analyzing the situation on the ground. [ Read More ]

UNODC held a meeting with Members of Parliament in North Macedonia promoting legislative changes in line with Firearms Protocol - 13 September, Skopje, North Macedonia: The UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) hosted a hybrid meeting with Members of Parliament raising awareness on the latest amendments to the Criminal Code drafted in line with the UN Firearms Protocol. [ Read More ]

4th Meeting of the Working Group on Data Collection in Ukraine - On 7 September 2021, UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) has facilitated the 4^th Meeting of the Working Group on Firearms Data Collection in Ukraine. [ Read More ]

UNODC organized training for Ukrainian female criminal justice experts on identification and tracing of firearms -

On 8 September 2021, UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP), organized practical training on the investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking in Ukraine. [ Read More ]

UNODC held a three-day workshop for Serbian judges - Within the period from 9 to 11 August 2021, UNODC GFP held a three-day workshop for Serbian judges. Prior to the workshop, the review group of four judges was formed and they were engaged on the final review and systematization of the firearms-related case law document and drafting of additional chapters for its content. [ Read More ]

20 years of UN Firearms Protocol and Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) shed light on way forward - Vienna (Austria), 9 August 2021 – As 2021 marks the 20th Anniversary of the UN Firearms Protocol and the Programme of Action (PoA) on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), UNODC, jointly with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), recently held a high-level side event on the margins of the 7th Biennial Meeting of States on the PoA (BMS7).[ Read More ]

Training for the private courier company – A2B Express Logistics - in Bosnia and Hercegovina on detection of firearms in fast parcels - On 6-7 August 2021, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) conducted a training for the private courier company – A2B Express Logistics - in Bosnia and Hercegovina (BiH) on detection of firearms in fast parcels. [ Read More ]

Workshop on cooperation between the private and public sectors on detecting firearms in fast parcels in Bosnia and Herzegovina - On 30 July 2021, the UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme (GFP) conducted a workshop on cooperation between the private and public sectors on detecting firearms in fast parcels. [ Read More ]

Training for Magistrates in Burkina Faso - Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso - UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme (GPP), organized from 27 to 29 July 2021 a “Training workshop for magistrates and investigators on the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of firearms related offenses”. [ Read More ]

Workshop on information exchange on criminal procedural law applicable in firearms investigations in BiH - On 27 July 2021, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme conducted a workshop on information exchange on criminal procedural law applicable in firearms investigations. The workshop was attended by 10 criminal justice practitioners, including prosecutors, representatives from State Investigation and Protection Agency and Border Police, judicial police officers and members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. [ Read More ]

Continued capacity building in Niger to support illicit firearm related investigations and prosecution - During 2021, UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP), has continued its work in support of the National Commission for the Collection and Control of Illicit Arms of Niger (in French "Commission Nationale pour la Collecte et le Contrôle des Armes Illicites" (CNCCAI)) and the National Central Service against Terrorism and Organized Crime (SCLTC/TO in French) to strengthen the countries’ capacities in the fight against illicit firearms trafficking.[ Read More ]

Training of trainers for the Internal Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ITA) - The UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a four-day Training of trainers for the Internal Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ITA) on 26 – 29 July 2021 on detecting firearms, their parts and ammunition in postal shipments, with the focus on supporting ITA Customs to increase efficiency and effectiveness in combating firearms trafficking. [ Read More ]

Virtual training on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking and related crimes in El Salvador - Between 26 to 29 July 2021, UNODC Global Firearms Programme organised an online workshop to strengthen national capacities in El Salvador to investigate and prosecute firearms trafficking and related criminal offences. [ Read More ]

Training for the private courier company in Bosnia and Hercegovina on detection of firearms in fast parcels - On 23-24 July 2021, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) conducted a training for the private courier company EuroExpress in Bosnia and Hercegovina on detection of firearms in fast parcels. [ Read More ]

UNODC GFP organizes a meeting on criminal procedural law applicable to firearms cases with criminal justice practitioners in Albania - On 22 July 2021, in Tirana, Albania, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme conducted a workshop on information exchange on criminal procedural law applicable in firearms investigations. The workshop was attended by 12 Albanian criminal justice practitioners, including judges, prosecutors, judicial police officers and members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The specific objective of the workshop was to enhance knowledge on conducting investigation and prosecution of firearms tr afficking cases through analysis and identification of challenges and good practices in the application of criminal procedure law. [ Read More ]

Prosecutors of Bosnia and Herzegovina supported in investigating firearms trafficking - On 13 July 2021 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a training on identification and tracing of firearms aimed to strengthen the capacity of prosecutors to investigate firearms trafficking cases and address possible links to organized crime.[ Read More ]

UNODC held a workshop on Inter-institutional exchange of experience in North Macedonia - 12 July 2021, Skopje, North Macedonia: The UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) hosted a workshop to foster inter-institutional exchange of information in firearms related cases. The event gathered participants from three institutions competent for processing firearms related cases, namely the Prosecution, Ministry of Interior, and Customs Administration. [ Read More ]

Countering Illicit Firearms Trafficking in Ukraine through Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law - On 8 July 2021, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized a workshop on the harmonization of Ukrainian legislation with UN Firearms Protocol. This was the first event in Ukraine, which has addressed the topic of illicit firearms trafficking within the context of criminal law and criminal procedural law. [ Read More ]

3rd Meeting of the Working Group on Firearms-related Data Collection in Ukraine On 6 July 2021, UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme (GFP) has facilitated the organization of the 3^rd Meeting of the Working Group on Firearms-related Data Collection in Ukraine. The overall objective of the Working Group is to ensure submission of high-quality information to UNODC’s Illicit Arms Flow Initiative (IAFI) on regular basis. [ Read More ]

Online training on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking and related crimes for Guatemalan authorities - Between 5 to 8 July 2021, UNODC Global Firearms Programme organised an online workshop to strengthen national capacities in Guatemala to investigate and prosecute firearms trafficking and related criminal offences. [ Read More ]

Strengthening coordination efforts with G5 Sahel - UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme, organized a coordination meeting with countries in the Sahel region, neighboring countries and the G5 Sahel in order to address practical ways of fighting illicit firearms trafficking in the sub region as well as in the larger West African region. [ Read More ]

Contributing to Silencing the Guns in West Africa – towards 2030 - In December of 2020 the African Union decided to extend the Silencing the Guns initiative until 2030. In order to identify the most effective way of supporting its plan of action, UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme, and the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) co-organized a regional meeting between 22 and 24 June 2021 in Dakar, Senegal. [ Read More ]

UNODC held an inter-institutional exchange of information meeting on firearms trafficking cases - On 9 June 2021, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a meeting to foster inter-institutional exchange of information in firearms trafficking cases. The meeting gathered ten participants from prosecution offices, border and criminalistic police, and customs officers, competent for the border crossing points between Serbia and Bulgaria / North Macedonia. [ Read More ]

GFP holds a training for a private company on detection of firearms in fast parcels in Bosnia and Herzegovina - On 5 June 2021, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) conducted a training for the private courier company - Express Courier d.o.o. Authorized Service Contractor for UPS in Bosnia and Hercegovina on detection of firearms in fast parcels.

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GFP transfers equipment to postal and customs services in Bosnia and Herzegovina - On 4 June 2021, in Sarajevo, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme transferred the first batch of equipment for use by BH Poste, HP Mostar, Poste Srpske and BiH Customs to detect firearms in postal and fast parcels, which included five laptops. [ Read More ]

2nd Workshop on developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for detection of firearms in postal parcels in Bosnia and Herzegovina - On 4 June 2021, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) conducted the second workshop with representatives from the Public Postal Offices in Bosnia and Hercegovina and from the Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA) on developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for detection of firearms in postal parcels. [ Read More ]

UNODC held an online Training on identification and tracing of firearms for Serbian prosecutors - On 4 June 2021, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a training on identification and tracing of firearms for 19 prosecutors. The participants represented Prosecutor’s Offices from different material and territorial competencies on the state level. [ Read More ]

UNODC held a workshop with prosecutors on firearms-related case law in North Macedonia - Skopje, North Macedonia, 2 June 2021 - The UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) hosted an online workshop for presentation of the Macedonian case law and harmonisation of the court practice regarding firearms cases. The primary audience of the workshop were prosecutors and defence attorneys coming from the entire country. [ Read More ]

UNODC held an online training on identification and tracing of firearms for Montenegrin prosecutors - On 1 June 2021, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) and the Centre for training of judges and prosecutors in Montenegro held a joint training on identification and tracing of firearms for 15 prosecutors. The participants represented different material and territorial competencies on the state level. [ Read More ]

Online workshop on investigation and prosecution of firearms-related criminal offences for Bolivian authorities - Between 31 May to 3 June 2021, UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organised an online workshop to strengthen national capacities in Bolivia to investigate and prosecute firearms trafficking and related criminal offences. [ Read More ]

Celebrating 20th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Firearms Protocol - Vienna, Austria, 31 May 2021 - 20 years ago, on 31 May 2001, the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition (Firearms Protocol) was adopted by resolution 55/255 at the fifty-fifth session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.[ Read More ]

UNODC held third workshop with judges towards completion of the case law document in Serbia - On 28 May 2021, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held the third workshops with judges on firearms-related case law. The objective of the event was to complete the development of UNODC’s case law collection, in terms of its volume and substance and to introduce new firearms-related court cases linked to firearms seizures at border crossing points Serbia/Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia/Croatia. The newly obtained cases will cover the court practice in firearms-related cases along Western Balkan Route. [ Read More ]

Webinar on investigations of firearms trafficking in Dark Web - On 25 May 2021, the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) and UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme co-organized a webinar on investigating firearms trafficking in Dark Web. The event was attended by twenty five criminal justice practitioners from Moldova and Ukraine. [ Read More ]

2nd Meeting of the Working Group on Data Collection in Ukraine - On 24 May 2021, UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) has facilitated the 2^nd Meeting of the Working Group on Data Collection in Ukraine. The overall objective of the Working Group is to ensure submission of high-quality information to UNODC’s Illicit Arms Flow Initiative (IAFI) on regular basis. [ Read More ]

Training in Niger to improve the investigation and prosecution of firearm trafficking cases - UNODC, through the Global Firearms Programme (GFP), organized from 17 to 19 May 2021 in Niamey a training course on the investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking cases and related crimes targeted at magistrates from the judicial pole and specialized chambers of the Niamey Court of Appeal and officers from the National Central Service against Terrorism and Organized Crime. [ Read More ]

Bosnia and Herzegovina supported in capacity building on enhanced border control and firearms trafficking - 17 May 2021, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: As part of building capacities of the officers of the Air Cargo Control Unit (ACCU) at the Sarajevo International Airport, the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) organized a CCP Air Cargo workshop for 21 customs and border police officers, as well as representatives from the Directorate for Civil Aviation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Sarajevo Airport. [ Read More ]

Support to countries in West Africa in the storage of seized and confiscated weapons - From 28 to 30 April 2021, the GFP gathered a group of national experts from various countries in the West and Central Africa regions to discuss best practices and the proper operationalization of the safe storage of seized and confiscated firearms in dedicated storing sites. [ Read More ]

Coordination meeting with Serbian Ministry on capacity building activities - On 23 April 2021, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized a meeting on capacity building activities within its project on Criminal Justice Response against Arms Trafficking with representatives of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) from Sector for International Cooperation, Section for Suppressing Hi-Tech Crime, and Sector for Criminal Investigations. [ Read More ]

Meeting on firearms related data collection in Ukraine - On 23 April 2021, the GFP has facilitated the first meeting of the working group, which is composed of nine members from relevant departments of MIA and the National Police. [ Read More ]

Endorsement of training materials for capacity building events for prosecutors in Montenegro - On 22 April 2021, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized a meeting on capacity building activities within its project on Criminal Justice Response against Arms Trafficking with Montenegrin prosecutors. The objective of the event was to present the developed training materials, review and prioritize the planned training activities taking into consideration the COVID-19 restrictions. [ Read More ]

Project to address terrorism-arms-crime nexus in Central Asia: CTED, UNCCT and UNODC held the virtual deep-dive assessment mission to Kyrgyzstan - The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), leading the assessment component of the project, together with the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT/UNCCT), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) conducted the virtual deep-dive assessment mission in Kyrgyzstan from 19 to 23 April 2021. [ Read More ]

UNODC held a workshop with judges towards further development of the case law document in Serbia - On 9 April 2021 the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held the second workshop for judges on firearms-related case law at the premises of the Court of Appeals in Nis, Serbia. [ Read More ]

UNODC supports Bosnia and Herzegovina in countering firearms in international postal and courier parcels - 8 April 2021, Jahorina, Bosnia and Herzegovina: The UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized a workshop for the Postal Operators in BiH - BH Pošta, Pošta Srpske and Hrvatska Pošta Mostar - to review the draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the detection of firearms, their parts and ammunition in postal and fast courier parcels. [ Read More ]

South American Crackdown on Illegal Gun Trade Reveals Serious Trafficking Despite Pandemic - Lyon (France), 6 April 2021 — A law enforcement operation targeting firearms trafficking across South America has seen the seizure of thousands of illicit firearms and generated global intelligence on crime networks and smuggling routes. [ Read More ]

Next generation of trainers against firearms trafficking - Developing local expertise as a driver for sustainability, that was one of the main objectives of a Regional Training of Trainers on the “Investigation and prosecution of illicit firearms trafficking and related crimes” in Grand Bassam, Cote d’Ivoire from 29 March to 2 April 2021. [ Read More ]

National virtual workshop on “Data collection and analysis for the monitoring of illicit arms flows” - Between 29 and 30 March 2021, UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme (GFP) jointly organised with Paraguay’s Government a virtual workshop on “Data collection and analysis for the monitoring of illicit arms flows”. [ Read More ]

New law on firearms: Mali adopted a new law on firearms with UNODC support - Bamako, Mali - after more than six years of technical work with Malians experts supported by the United Nations organisation such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) as well as strategic and political rigorous consultations with Malian authorities to strengthen and update the national legal framework on the fight against illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, the National Transitional Council adopted, with a majority of 94 votes, the new Law on the General Arms and Ammunition Regime of the country, during its session on Monday 22 March 2021. [ Read More ]

Fostering Judicial and Law Enforcement Cooperation and Information-Sharing in Central Asia - The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in partnership with the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), conducted a first virtual regional workshop on fostering judicial and law enforcement cooperation and information sharing among Central Asia states between 16 and18 March 2021. [ Read More ]

UNODC meets with judges to discuss harmonization of court practice - 5 March 2021, Belgrade, Serbia: UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized a coordination meeting with judges to initiate work on the case law document and harmonization of court practice in firearms-related cases. [ Read More ]

Celebrating International Women's Day: Women engaged in Peace, Security and Development - Together we are stronger! - Vienna, 8 March 2021 - Women around the globe are a key element in the fight against organised crime and illicit firearms trafficking. However, women remain under-represented in criminal justice systems including in policy making processes. [ Read More ]

Marking the 10th Anniversary of the Global Firearms Programme - Vienna, 1 March 2021 – Ten years ago, the Implementation Support Section (ISS) of UNODC’s Organized Crime and Trafficking Branch (OCB), established the Global Firearms Programme (GFP), to promote and assist Member States in the implementation of the Firearms Protocol, which supplements the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.[ Read More ]

Regional webinar on collecting electronic evidence - On 24 February 2021, UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme and the Terrorism Prevention Branch organized a regional webinar on “Introduction to UNODC’s Practical Guide for Requesting E-evidence Across Borders”. [ Read More ]

GFP discussing the legislative analysis of criminal law and criminal procedure law in Bosnia and Herzegovina - On 17 February 2021 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through its Global Firearms Program (GFP) organized discussions with Deputy Minister of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina prof.dr. Nezir Pivic on legislative analysis of criminal law and criminal procedure law and its harmonization with the Firearms Protocol. [ Read More ]

UNODC helps strengthen Bosnia and Herzegovina’s customs control for arms trafficking in international parcels - 9 February 2021, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: The UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized a workshop for Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ITA) with the objective to review the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for detection of firearms, their parts and ammunition in international postal and courier parcels. The SOPs have been developed by the GFP based on the Gap and needs analysis (GNA) conducted in 2020. [ Read More ]

Collecting and exchanging firearms related data in Ukraine - On 22 December 2020, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized an online workshop on collection of firearms data with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the National Police of Ukraine. [ Read More ]

UNODC meets the Judicial Academy in Serbia to discuss future cooperation - 2 December, Belgrade, Serbia: UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a meeting with the Director of the Judicial Academy in Serbia. The meeting presented an opportunity for GFP to explore the potential for partnership with the Judicial Academy on countering illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms in Serbia and the region, within the framework of UNODC’s Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe and UNODC’s regional project “Criminal Justice Response against Arms Trafficking”. [ Read More ]

Firearms Operation KAFO II disrupts illicit supplies in the Sahel - Under Operation KAFO II (30 November - 6 December 2020), coordinated jointly by INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through the Global Firearms Programme, frontline officers targeted smuggling hotspots at airports, seaports, and land borders in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Niger. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme Supports Paraguay’s Efforts Towards Effective Investigations and Prosecution of Firearms Trafficking Through an Online Training Workshop - From 30^th November to 4^th December 2020, the Global Firearms Programme (GFP) of UNODC delivered an online training to Paraguay authorities to enhance their capacities to investigate and prosecute firearms trafficking and related offences and coordinated by Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. [ Read More ]

Supporting an Evidence-Based Approach for the Prevention and Disruption of Firearms Trafficking - Regional Webinars on Global Study on Firearms Trafficking 2020: Perspectives for Eastern and Southern Africa, Western and Central Africa and Latin America - 25-26 November 2020, Vienna, Austria – UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme organised a series of webinars to present the Global Study on Firearms Trafficking 2020 and its perspectives for three different regions, namely, Eastern and Southern Africa, Western and Central Africa and Latin America respectively. [ Read More ]

Addressing success and challenges in investigation and prosecution of illicit firearms trafficking in Ukraine - On 24 November 2020, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized an online workshop on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking in Ukraine, which was attended by 46 practitioners. The activity is part of UNODC’s project “Support to criminal justice response to counter firearms trafficking in Ukraine”. [ Read More ]

Coordination meeting with UNODC’s counterparts in Serbia - On 3 November 2020 UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a project coordination meeting with the national authorities in Serbia including the Ministry of Interior, Republic Public Prosecutor’s Office, Ministry of Justice, High Judicial Council, Customs Administration and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. [ Read More ]

Discussions on arms trafficking cases in Bosnia and Herzegovina - On October 27 - 28, 2020, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through its Global Firearms Program (GFP) organized discussions on arms trafficking cases in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the President of the Basic Court of Brcko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Grcevic. The discussion included the applicable legal framework and identification of trainings and capacity building needs for judges. [ Read More ]

UNODC meets with the national authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to discuss cooperation in criminal justice response against arms trafficking - 21-23 October 2020, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: The UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) met with the national authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the Chief Prosecutor, the President of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council and the Director of the Judicial and Prosecutorial Training Center to discuss the implementation in the country of the UNODC regional project on Criminal Justice Response against Arms Trafficking. [ Read More ]

UNODC supports Bosnia and Herzegovina in countering illicit firearms trafficking - 20 October 2020, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: The UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a meeting with the Assistant Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina to discuss the activities under the joint UNODC – UNDP project on Halting arms and lawbreaking trade (HALT). [ Read More ]

Adoption on COP10-resolution on “Strengthening international cooperation against the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunition” - Vienna, Austria, 16 October 2020 – On the evening of 14 October 2020, only a few minutes before the interpretation service would stop, the Committee of the Whole of the Conference of the Parties of the Organized Crime Convention agreed on the last bone of contention in the draft firearms resolution. Two days later, on Friday night, the resolution entitled “Strengthening international cooperation against the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunition” was finally adopted. [ Read More ]

“Promoting the Community of Practitioners Countering Firearms Trafficking and Related Crimes”: Side Event on the Margins of the 10th Session of the Conference of the Parties to UNTOC - Vienna, 15^th October 2020 – At the margins of the tenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme organized a side event to promote its Community of Practitioners Countering Firearms Trafficking and Related Crimes. [ Read More ]

A Call for Universalisation and Effective Implementation of the Firearms Protocol – High-level Side Event on the Margins of the 10th Session of the Conference of the Parties to UNTOC - Vienna, Austria, 14 October 2020 – At the margins of the tenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme organized a high-level side event on “Celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Entry into Force of the Firearms Protocol: Time for Universalization and Effective Implementation”, which gathered approximately 150 people from around the world. [ Read More ]

Capacity building on practical measures to fight illicit firearms trafficking in the Sahel - From 5 to 9 October 2020, UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme (GFP) worked with law enforcement and criminal justice officials from Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali and Niger in back to back events in Abidjan, focused on practical cross-border measures to fight illicit firearms trafficking in the Sahel. In a hybrid setting, with some participants connecting online, the events were part of the efforts by UNODC to counter organized crime and terrorism surmounting the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.[ Read More ]

Development of Standard Operating Procedures on countering firearms trafficking in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Within the joint UNODC – UNDP BiH project “”Halting arms and lawbreaking trade (HALT)”, the two implementing agencies held a workshop in Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 29 September to 1 October 2020, with the objective to assist the Indirect Taxation Agency (ITA) with the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) on countering illicit firearms trafficking.

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Paraguay moves forward with bold steps against illicit firearms trafficking - Asunción, Paraguay, 2 October, 2020 – Seeking to put a definite stop to and contain the various manifestations in illicit firearms trafficking within the national territory and in its cross-border dimension, Paraguay officially launched on 30^th September its newly approved Roadmap on Preventing and Countering Illicit Firearms Trafficking and Related Crimes. [ Read More ]

UNODC participated in the webinar on Firearms Trafficking in the EU, Eastern and South Eastern Europe - 21 September 2020, online: The UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) regional team for South Eastern Europe (SEE) and Ukraine participated in a webinar for frontline officers, who will take part in the Joint Action Day (JAD) – an international operation of law enforcement agencies on countering illicit firearms trafficking. [ Read More ]

EU Commission & UNODC Firearms to host a half-day Webinar on Firearms Trafficking in Europe - Vienna, 17 September 2020 - In a joint effort to unveil common lines of action, the European Commission and UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme organized today a Webinar on Firearms Trafficking: Policy Implications and Responses in Europe, a specialized approach to the phenomenon in the EU. The aim of the event was to yield new recommendations and lines of action, based on the 2020 Global Study of Firearms Trafficking and other regional studies on the subject [ Read More ]

UNODC holds a Working Group meeting on countering illicit arms trafficking in Bosnia and Herzegovina - 9 September 2020, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina: The UNODC Global Firearms Programme held a meeting the with the Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA) of Bosnia and Herzegovina to discuss the implementation of the Halting Arms and Law Breaking Trade (HALT) project initiated in March 2020 by UNDP and UNODC.
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The Plurinational State of Bolivia Accedes to the Firearms Protocol - On 4^th of September 2020, Bolivia deposited the ratification instrument of the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), becoming its 119^th State Party. [ Read More ]

Offences on firearms trafficking in the draft Criminal Code of North Macedonia - On 27 August 2020 the Global Firearms Programme participated in the Working Group on amending the Criminal Code in North Macedonia and contributed to the discussion on the harmonization of the Code with the criminalisation provisions of the UN Firearms Protocol.

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High-Level Virtual Launching Event of the Global Study on
Firearms Trafficking 2020 - Vienna, 15 July 2020 – Today, UNODC launched its Global Study on Firearms Trafficking 2020 which constitutes the final product of the most comprehensive data collection and analysis on firearms trafficking to date, giving a unique insight into the patterns of trafficking globally, regionally and nationally. Around 170 participants across the world joined a virtual panel discussion that presented the main findings, conclusions and policy implications of the study. The panel was moderated by Mr. John Brandolino, Director of the Division for Treaty Affairs (DTA) of UNODC. [ Read More ]

Online training on firearms trafficking investigations and prosecution in Central and West Africa - In light of the ongoing health crisis linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Global Firearms Programme (GFP) of UNODC has been focusing its efforts in adapting to the current reality without losing sight of its mandate of working directly with Member States to fight illicit firearms trafficking. In that sense from 28 to 30 July 2020 it carried out an “Online training on the investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking and related offenses” aimed at practitioners in Central and West African countries [ Read More ]

Central Africa Republic adopts new Law on the general regime of conventional arms developed with support from UNODC - On 8 July 2020, the National Assembly of the Central African Republic adopted the new Law on the general regime of conventional arms, the parts, components and ammunition. The law will be instrumental in supporting the fight against illicit arms trafficking in the country and in the sub-region. The new law will also be key in supporting the implementation of the Firearms Protocol, the Arms Trade Treaty and the Kinshasa Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, the newly adopted regional instrument aimed at fighting the scourge of illicit arms proliferation in the Central African sub-region. [ Read More ]

UNODC Study sheds light on hidden crime of firearms trafficking - Vienna (Austria), 15 July 2020 – Pistols are the world’s most seized type of firearm, making up around 39 per cent of the total number of firearms seized worldwide, while almost all flows of inter-regional firearms trafficking can be traced back to a point in Northern America, Europe, and Western Asia. As firearms are often involved in violence, particularly in homicide, they are also a major human security concern. [ Read More ]

UNODC’s Global Firearms Programme celebrates the International Small Arms Destruction Day - Vienna (Austria), 9 July 2020 – This date marks the International Small Arms Destruction Day, a date initiated by the United Nations in 2001 to remind the threat that the excessive and destabilizing accumulation of and illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons pose to peace and security, and highlights the importance of destroying surplus weapons as a key measure to reduce illicit arms flows and build safer societies where citizens can develop their full potential. [ Read More ]

UNODC marks 15^th anniversary of the entry into force of the Firearms Protocol - Vienna (Austria), 3 July 2020 – 15 years ago on 3 July 2005, the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition (Firearms Protocol) entered into force. The date marks a milestone in the international efforts to prevent the proliferation of small arms as the Firearms Protocol was the first legally binding global instruments that addressed this bloodstained threat to peace, security and sustainable development. This year, the anniversary almost coincides with the Working Group on Firearms, which will be held on 16 and 17 July, to discuss, for the first time by virtual means, the responsiveness of the Firearms Protocol to new and emerging threats, amongst other topics. [ Read More ]

UNODC and INTERPOL to continue supporting the fight against firearms trafficking in the Sahel - Building on the success of joint initiatives during 2019 –including on cross-border operations–, UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme, in cooperation with the INTERPOL Firearms Programme, as well as national authorities from Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali and Niger, organized a hybrid meeting on 25 and 26 June in order to discuss ongoing cooperation and plan upcoming activities in 2020 and 2021 aimed at improving international cooperation in the fight against illicit firearms trafficking. [ Read More ]

Need assessment in BiH on detection of firearms in postal and courier shipments - On 9 June 2020, the Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA) of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and UNODC held a meeting in Banja Luka, BiH, to identify the components of the need assessment for detection of firearms, their parts, components and ammunition in postal and courier shipments. UNODC has provided detailed explanation on the various stages and steps of the training needs analysis, equipment needs analysis, development of SOPs and conducting joint operations. [ Read More ]

UNCCT and UNODC jointly launch a project on addressing the terrorism-arms-crime nexus - NEW YORK, 21 February 2020 - The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) jointly launched a project to address the connection between terrorism, organized crime and the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in Central Asia. The project aims to enhance criminal justice responses to prevent and combat the illicit trafficking of SALW and to disrupt the illicit supply of such arms to terrorist groups. [ Read More ]

A joint INTERPOL-UNODC operation against illicit firearms trafficking in West Africa has seen arrests and the seizure of firearms and ammunition - 23 December 2019 - A cross-border operation across West Africa codenamed "KAFO", jointly coordinated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the INTERPOL Firearms Programme, targeted the people and networks behind firearms trafficking in Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire and Mali. [ Read More ]

Workshop on the Implementation of the Key Performance Indicator 5 of the Western-Balkans-Roadmap - On 16 December 2019, UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP), in cooperation with EMPACT FIREARMS, organised in Vienna, Austria, a workshop on the implementation of the Key Performance Indicator 5. The activity was made possible thanks to the contribution from Germany. [ Read More ]

Workshop on the implementation of Angola's international commitments in the areas of transnational organized crime and drug control - From 2 to 6 December 2019, UNODC organized a workshop on the implementation of Angola's international commitments in the areas of transnational organized crime and drug control in Luanda, Angola. UNODC's Global Firearms Programme contributed to the joint event on the substantive area of firearms. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme supports countering firearms trafficking through postal shipments - In 2019, the Global Firearms Programme (GFP) launched its project on detection of firearms in postal shipments and initiated co-operation with the Montenegrin Customs Administration. The first training for customs officers was delivered in Podgorica on 12-14 November 2019. [ Read More ]

Expert Group Meeting to review UNODC's legislative analysis for harmonization of the criminal law and criminal procedure law - On 10 December 2019, the Ministry of Justice of Montenegro and UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) co-organized an expert group meeting to review UNODC's legislative analysis for harmonization of the criminal law and criminal procedure law with the UN Convention against Organized Crime and its Firearms Protocol. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme conducted a workshop on investigation and prosecution of illicit arms transfers - On 26-28 November 2019, the UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) in co-operation with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations (MoFTER) of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the Ministry of Economy (ME) of Montenegro and the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications (MTTT) of Serbia, organized a training on illicit arms trade in Belgrade, Serbia. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme supports Frontex in the development of a Handbook on detection of firearms - On 5-6 December 2019 the Global Firearms Programme (GFP) has participated in the meeting for the preparation of the "Handbook on Detection of Firearms for Border Guards and Customs Officers", organized by Frontex in Warsaw, Poland. The GFP has been providing specialized trainings to customs and border guards on detection of firearms at land border crossing points since 2017. [ Read More ]

Working Group meeting on the Criminal Code of North Macedonia - On 2 Dec 2019 the Global Firearms Programme presented to the Working Group, which has the task to review and propose amendments to the Criminal Code of the Republic of North Macedonia, the findings and recommendations of the legislative review on harmonizing the national legislation with UN Convention against Organized Crime and UN Firearms Protocol.

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Roadmap for countering firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans: 2 ^nd regional meeting - On 20-21 November 2019, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) participated in the 2nd Regional Coordination Meeting on the implementation of the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and their ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024, which was held in Tirana, Albania. [ Read More ]

Regional conference for Central African countries on links between Kinshasa Convention on Small Arms and the Firearms Protocol - From 20 to 21 November 2 019, UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP), jointly with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) organized in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, a regional conference for Central African countries aimed at analysing the synergies and complementarities between the Firearms Protocol and the Kinshasa Convention on Small Arms Light Weapons (SALW). The activity was made possible thanks to the contribution from the European Union. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme strengthens regional cooperation in the Americas to prevent and combat illicit firearms in two regional meetings in Mexico - During the month of November 2019, in Mexico City, Mexico, the Global Firearms Programme has organised, in close collaboration with the Government of Mexico and UNODC Mexico, two regional meetings to strengthen cooperation in Latin America to prevent and combat illicit trafficking in firearms and related crimes.

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The Global Firearms Programme organised a training in Montenegro to counter firearms traffikcing - On 12-14 November 2019, UNODC' Global Firearms Programme organized in Podgorica, Montenegro training for first line responders from the Customs Administration on detection of firearms trafficking in postal shipments and at land border crossing points. The event was conducted in cooperation with the Customs Administration of Montenegro, Prosecutor's Office of Montenegro and the Ministry of Economy of Montenegro. The Customs Administration of Montenegro has carefully selected the participants for the training and has ensured also representation of its investigation and analytical units. [ Read More ]

Central African Republic's Legal Drafting Committee concludes its work on the draft-law on the general regime on conventional arms - From 12 to 14 November 2019, during a 3-days workshop, the Central African Republic's Legislative Drafting Committee finalised and adopted the last modifications of the pre-draft law on conventional weapons, their parts and components and ammunition presented by UNODC.

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The Global Firearms Programme participated in a second national coordination meeting on the implementation of the regional Roadmap to counter firearms trafficking in Serbia -On 9 November 2019, the Global Firearms Programme in the 2 ^nd National Coordination Meeting on the implementation of the Roadmap for countering firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans, which was held in Belgrade, Serbia. The objective of the meeting was to review the progress achieved under the Roadmap in the period January - June 2019 and inform about the forthcoming events. national counterparts, partners and donors about future activities to support the implementation of the Roadmap. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme signed a Letter of Understanding with Honduras to cooperate in preventing and combating illicit firearms trafficking - On 8 November 2019, UNODC Global Firearms Programme signed a Letter of Understanding with the Cabinet of Prevention, Security and Defence of Honduras. The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Honduras, where the Deputy Minister of Security and General Coordinator of the Cabinet of Prevention, Security and Defence, Mr Luis Suazo; the Undersecretary of International Cooperation and Promotion, Ms Norma Cerrato; and the Head of UNODC Global Firearms Programme, Ms Simonetta Grassi signed Letter of Understanding. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme participated in a second national coordination meeting on the implementation of the regional Roadmap to counter firearms trafficking in Bosnia and Herzegovina - On 7 November 2019, the Global Firearms Programme (GFP) participated in the 2 ^nd National Coordination Meeting on the implementation of the Roadmap for countering firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans, convened by the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme participated in the second national coordination meeting on the regional Roadmap to counter firearms trafficking in Montenegro - On 4 November 2019, the Global Firearms Programme (GFP) participated in the 2 ^nd National Coordination Meeting on the implementation of the Roadmap for countering firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans, which was held in Podgorica, Montenegro.

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The Global Firearms Programme and the Republic of Srpska hold a workshop on recording firearms relevant information - On 29 and 30 October 2019, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), through its Global Firearms Programme, together with the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, organized a workshop on recording firearms relavant information. [ Read More ]

Comprehensive statistics of illicit firearms trafficking now publicly available on UNODC data portal - On 21 October 2019, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has, for the first time, made available statistics of illicit firearms trafficking. Comprehensive data on firearms trafficking were gathered, processed and are now made available for public use via the UNODC data portal . While improvements are needed in terms of quality and coverage of the current dataset, the path to improve evidence-based information on firearms trafficking is being traced. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme participated in the Steering Committee of the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund - On 14 October 2019, UNODC participated through its Global Firearms Programme in the 2 ^nd meeting of the Steering Committee of the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) for the implementation of the Roadmap for countering firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans. The Trust Fund was created by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNODC to support Western Balkan countries in their fight against misuse, illegal possession and illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition.

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Broadening knowledge on the linkages between illicit firearms and terrorism through Education for Justice (E4J) University Module Series - On 8 October 2019 in Vienna, the Global Programme for the Implementation of the Doha Declaration organized a breakout session on how to broaden knowledge on the linkages between illicit firearms and terrorism through using E4J University Module Series on Counter-Terrorism and Firearms. The session was part of the International High-Level Conference "Educating for the Rule of Law" that took place from 7 to 9 October in Vienna.

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The Global Firearms Programme organised an expert meeting on illicit firearms trafficking to, from and across the European Union - From 7 to 8 October 2019 in Vienna, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme, organised a cross regional meeting to address the issue of illicit trafficking in firearms to, from and across the European Union (EU). The meeting concluded a two-year project implemented by the GFP, in collaboration with the UNODC Research and Trend Analysis Branch, that aimed at monitoring and mapping illicit firearms trafficking flows, fostering effective international cooperation in tracing and information sharing, and combating illicit trafficking and related crimes. The project is supported by the European Union. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme supports the fight against firearms "ant-trade" trafficking in the Sahel - Firearms are oftentimes smuggled through land border crossings by hiding them in legally transported cargo or in smaller quantities by hiding them in private vehicles. Tackling this modus operandi requires law enforcement agencies to profile and select travellers and vehicles according to specific methodologies. To contribute to this fight, in September 2019, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme organized a series of activities and trainings in order to strengthen the capacities of countries in the Sahel, as well as neighbouring states. The aim was to support countries to detect firearms trafficking at land border crossings and improve how subsequent investigations take place. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme conducted an assessment mission in Paraguay - From 26 to 29 August 2019, the GFP conducted an assessment mission in Paraguay, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay. The aim of this mission was to better understand the legal and institutional frameworks in the country regarding firearms control and prevention and combatting of illicit trafficking, as well as the main strategic and operational mechanisms that exist in this field. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme takes part in a joint event in Niger on the Establishment of a System of Indicators on Reducing Illicit Arms Flows - Between 20 and 21 of August 2019 in Niamey, Niger, UNODC Global Firearms Programme co-organised a workshop with the National Commission for the Collection and Control of Illicit Weapons (referred to by its French acronym CNCCAI) and Small Arms Survey, focused on "Strengthening National Institutions by Establishing a System of Indicators". [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme organized a side event during the Fifth Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty - On 26 August 2019 in Geneva, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP), in collaboration with the Governments of Côte d'Ivoire and Mexico, organised a side event on "Responsiveness of the ATT and the Firearms Protocol to Existing and Emerging Threats". [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme organized a legislative workshop in La Paz, Bolivia - From 17 to 18 July, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme, in collaboration with the Plurinational State of Bolivia, organised an inter-institutional workshop. Its overall objective was to train prosecutors and judges from Bolivia to more effictively implement the national legislation on the control of firearms, ammunition, explosives and related materials, namely, Act 400 and its relevant regulations.

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The Global Firearms Programme continues to provide capacity building in the Sahel and neighbouring countries - During June and July of this year (2019) UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP), has continued to support countries in the Sahel region, as well as in neighbouring countries, on their efforts towards the fight against the trafficking of illicit firearms and related crimes. The GFP led various capacity building activities targeting Burkina Faso, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire and Mali as part of UNODC's overall efforts in the region against organized crime and terrorism. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme organized a legislative workshop in Central African Republic to develop a comprehensive law on arms - From 26 June to 28 June, UNODC Global Firearms Programme in collaboration with the NATCOM SALW of the Central African Republic, organized a 3 days legislative workshop. The overall objective of this first legislative workshop was to establish a drafting committee to develop a new law on the general regime of arms for the Central African Republic. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme continues its support to marking process of imported firearms in Bosnia and Herzegovina - On 03 July 2019, the GFP organized a study visit for officials from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations to the Federal Police of Switzerland and to the Police of the Cantone of Bern. During the study visit the officials from BiH received information about the different types of firearms data that are registered by the federal and cantonal authorities and what are the processes for organizing the data-exchange between them. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme supports the implementation of the Roadmap for countering illicit firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans - On 25-27 June 2019, UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme, organized two specialized practical trainings on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Criminal justice practitioners from BiH and Montenegro participated in the capacity building event, including investigators and prosecutors who work on firearms trafficking cases at first and second instance prosecutor's offices.

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The Global Firearms Programme organized a workshop in Argentina on Data collection and analysis to monitor illicit firearms trafficking flows - Between 11 and 12 of June 2019, a workshop was held jointly with UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) and the Government of the Province of Cordoba (Argentina) to enhance data collection and analysis efforts, and thus strengthen the provincial and national capacities in monitoring illicit firearms trafficking flows through the implementation of mechanisms that will also measure the indicator 16.4.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

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The Global Firearms Programme conducted a quadrilateral meeting to strengthen regional cooperation in Latin America to combat illicit trafficking in firearms - From 5 to 7 June 2019, UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized a quadrilateral meeting between Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, entitled "Strengthening regional cooperation in Latin America to prevent and combat the illicit trafficking of firearms and its related crimes". The meeting was hosted by the Government of Mexico in its Ministry of Foreign Affairs Offices, in Mexico City. The purpose of this meeting was twofold: first, to exchange experiences peer-to-peers and increase common knowledge, and second, to explore possible ways to promote synergies and foster cooperation in Latin America. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme provides a sneak peek on preliminary achievements in the framework of its initiative on identifying and monitoring illicit arms flows - On 22 May 2019, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme, in cooperation with the UNODC Research and Trend Analysis Branch, and with the support of the EU Delegation to the International Organizations in Vienna, organised a side event to the 28 ^th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice entitled "Shedding Light on Illicit Firearms Trafficking: Supporting Evidence-based Approaches". The event provided a platform to provide an update on the implementation of the ongoing EU-UNODC project on firearms data collection, analysis and operational use and to highlight the importance of systematically engaging in these activities. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme conducted an assessment mission to Bolivia after the State formally accessed to the Firearms Protocol - On 13 May 2019 , Bolivian Minister of Government, Carlos Romero Bonifaz, the United Nations Office against Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Representative in Bolivia, Thierry Rostan, and the Head of the Global Firearms Programme (GFP), Simonetta Grassi, signed a Letter of Understanding to formalise the accession of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to the "Protocol of the United Nations against the manufacture and illicit trafficking of firearms, their parts and components and ammunition" of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme continues its support to West African countries for identifying and monitoring illicit firearms flows - By participating in the 2018 UNODC global data collection exercise on firearms trafficking, several countries identified gaps and challenges as regards the scope of firearms-related data collected at national level as well as the national data centralisation process. To respond to the main challenges identified by authorities of Burkina Faso and Cote d'Ivoire, the Global Firearms Programme (GFP) conducted, from 6 to 10 May 2019, technical visits to Abidjan and Ouagadougou.

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The Global Firearms Programme launches its activities on the fight against illicit firearms trafficking in the Central African Republic - On 8 April, UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme, launched its activities in the Central African Republic focused on the fight against illicit firearms trafficking with its first "Specialized practical training on the investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking and related offences", which is taking place in Bangui from 8 to 12 April. The training is aimed at increasing the capacities of national authorities in the CAR on the investigation and prosecution of illicit firearms trafficking and related cases. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme offers training to support firearms trafficking investigations and prosecution in Agadez, Niger - From 25 to 28 March, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme, organized a specialized practical training on the investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking and related offences in Niger. The training was organized with the support from the National Commission for the Collection and Control of Illicit Arms of Niger (in French, "Commission Nationale pour la Collecte et le Contrôle des Armes Illicites"). [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme conducted an assessment mission in the Northern Triangle of Central America - From 25 March to 4 April 2019, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme, conducted an assessment mission in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala upon the request of these countries. The main objectives of the mission were broadening the understanding of their legal and institutional frameworks and the existing mechanisms concerning the prevention and combat of illicit firearms trafficking, as well as identifying the relevant actors in order to develop an assistance plan tailored to their needs, both at national and regional level, with the aim of identifying the assistance needs and effectively contributing to their national efforts to restore security and stability. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme conducts a series of technical visits in West and Central Africa on the identification and monitoring of illicit firearms flows - From 6 to 15 March 2019, the Global Firearms Programme conducted technical visits to Cameroun, Niger and Senegal on the topic of identifying and monitoring illicit firearms flows. The main objectives of the mission were to facilitate the countries' participation in the ongoing global data collection exercise on illicit firearms trafficking and to discuss next steps in enhancing national protocols as well as capacities in firearms data generation, collection, centralisation and analysis. [ Read More ]

Regional Meeting on Firearms Data Collection and Analysis for Member and Observer States of the Middle East and North Africa Region - From 5 to 6 February 2019 - UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme and its Research and Trend Analysis Branch, organized the fifth regional meeting on firearms data collection and analysis in Vienna, Austria, in the framework of the EU funded project on "Supporting Global Data Collection and Analysis on Firearms Trafficking and Fostering Cooperation and Information Sharing, in particular Among Countries Along Major Trafficking Routes to/from the EU".

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The Global Firearms Programme delivered a training on countering diversion of arms exports and detection of firearms trafficking in Bosnia and Herzegovina - On 11 to 13 December 2018 - UNODC's Global Firearms Programme delivered in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), a training for first line responders from the Customs Administration on countering diversion and detection of firearms trafficking at land border crossing points. The event was conducted in cooperation with the Prosecutor's Office of BiH and the arms export licencing officers of BiH. The training had four main components.

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The Global Firearms Programme organised a national training course on investigation and prosecution in Mali - From 3 to 7 December 2018 -

UNODC's Global Firearms Programme organised a national training on investigation and prosecution in Bamako, Mali. The training was opened by the representative of the Minister of Justice, Souleymane Coulibaly with UNODC representatives, Leonardo Lara and Paul Ianovici and several participants.

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The Global Firearms Programme delivered a training for prosecutors from the Western Balkans and Ukraine on identification and tracing of firearms - From 2 to 5 December 2018 - UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized in Vienna a pilot training on identification and tracing of firearms, their parts and components, and ammunition for prosecutors from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Montenegro, Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Ukraine in cooperation with the Forensic Science Service (FSS) of the Criminal Intelligence Service of the Republic of Austria and EUROPOL. [ Read More ]

UNODC supports firearms trafficking investigations and prosecution in Niger - From 5 to 9 November 2018 - UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP), organized a specialized practical training on the investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking and related offences, in Niamey, Niger. The training was organized with the support from the National Commission for the Collection and Control of Illicit Arms of Niger (in French "Commission Nationale pour la Collecte et le Contrôle des Armes Illicites (CNCCAI))". [ Read More ]

UNODC's Global Firearms Programme and Germany organized a side event on how to address firearms challenges in Africa in the framework of the "Silencing the gun" initiative - On 19 October, together with the Government of Germany, the Global Firearms programme (GFP) organized a side event entitled "Silencing the Guns: Following Integrated Approaches to Addressing Firearms Challenges in Africa". The event brought together several stakeholders who addressed the AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa by the Year 2020 - known as Lusaka Roadmap - from different angles. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme participates in a local coordination meeting to counter firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans - On 18 October 2018 - UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) took part in the last meeting of the local coordination groups on illicit firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans, which was held in Skopje, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. [ Read More ]

UNODC's Global Firearms Programme and its partners discuss gang criminality, illicit firearms, and security sector governance in Honduras - On 17 of October, together with the Government of Honduras; the Centre for Security, Development and the Rule of Law; Small Arms Survey; and the UNODC Justice Section; the Global Firearms Programme (GFP) co-organized the event entitled "Maras, illicit firearms, and security sector governance in Honduras". [ Read More ]

UNODC's Global Firearms Programme and its partners present their effort to prevent violent extremism and counter terrorism by engaging civil society in the fight against illicit firearms trafficking - On 17 October 2018, in partnership with the Kingdom of Sweden, the UNODC Civil Society Team, the Global Firearms Programme (GFP) and the Terrorism Prevention Branch held a side event entitled "Strengthening Efforts in Counter Terrorism and Addressing Illicit Firearms Trafficking through Civil Society Engagement". [ Read More ]

UNODC's Global Firearms Programme and its partners discuss best practices in data collection to achieve and monitor SDG target 16.4 - On 17 October, together with the European Union and the UNODC Research and Trend Analysis Branch, the Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized the side event entitled "Best Practices in the Collection, Analysis and Operational Use of Firearms Data to Monitor Illicit Arms Flows and Achieve SDG Target 16.4 - UNODC's Firearms Champion Country Initiative". The event provided a platform to provide an update on the implementation of the ongoing EU-UNODC project on firearms data and to introduce the GFP's new Firearms Champion Country Initiative. [ Read More ]

In a high-level side event, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme and its partners present their contribution to the fight against illicit firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans - On the first day of the Conference, 15 October 2018, the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Mr. Yuri Fedotov, opened a high-level side event on "Reinforcing the implementation of the Firearms Protocol - Franco-German coordination initiative on small arms and light weapons in the Western Balkans". The side event was co-organized by the Governments of Germany and France, together with UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP).

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The UNTOC COP features the prevention and combatting of the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms at various levels - The ninth session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols thereto, which was held from 15 to 19 October 2018 at the UNODC Headquarters in Vienna, Austria, took place in the light of the 15th anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme presents at the regional seminar for the Western Balkans on Modern Technology as a Tool in the Fight against SALW and Explosives Trafficking - From 2 to 3 October 2018 - UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) participated in the regional seminar on Combatting Illegal Trafficking of Firearms and Explosives in the Western Balkans: Modern Technology as a Tool in the Fight against SALW and Explosives Trafficking, which took place in Skopje, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

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The Global Firearms Programme participates in a coordination meeting to counter firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans - On 20 September 2018 - UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) took part in the meeting of the local coordination group on illicit firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans, which was held in Tirana, Albania. The meeting is part of the process for developing national action plans for the implementation of the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the Western Balkans by 2024. [ Read More ]

UNODC Global Firearms Programme participates in the conference on "Countering Illicit Arms Trafficking in the Context of Fighting International Terrorism" - From 3 to 4 September 2018 - UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) attended the conference on "Countering Illicit Arms Trafficking in the Context of Fighting International Terrorism" organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in Moscow.

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Monitoring illicit arms flows and the Sustainable Development Goals: Regional Meeting for South East European, Eastern European and Neighbouring Member States - From 17 to 18 July 2018, UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme and its Research and Trend Analysis Branch, oragnized its fourth regional meeting on firearms data collection and analysis in the framework of the EU funded project on "Supporting Global Data Collection and Analysis on Firearms Trafficking and Fostering Cooperation and Information Sharing, in particular Among Countries Along Major Trafficking Routes to/from the EU". [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme worked with the Chadian authorities to improve firearms trafficking investigations - From 9 to 13 July 2018, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized a training for Chadian officials on the investigations and prosecution of illicit firearms trafficking cases. The training took place in N'Djaména and benefited more than thirty officials from the Ministry of Justice - including prosecutors and judges -, judicial police, naitonal police, gendarmerie, armed forces, customs as well as civil society. [ Read More ]

Sub regional meeting to share perspective on law enforcement and criminal prosecution of firearms cases in the Sahel/Maghreb - From 2 to 4 July 2018, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme, in collaboration with the Niger National Commission for the Collection and Control of Illicit Arms (CNCCAI), organised in Niamey, Niger a workshop on "Analysis of cases of firearms trafficking in Niger and neighbouring countries - Perspectives on law enforcement and criminal prosecution". [ Read More ]

The Government of Italy and the UNODC Global Firearms Programme host a Side Event on Fighting Illicit Trafficking of Firearms and Monitoring SDG 16.4: From data collection to effective action - On 22 June 2018, the Government of Italy in cooperation with UNODC Global Firearms Programme hosted a joint side event in the margins of the Third Review Conference on the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons to discuss experiences in translating firearms data into concrete action against the illicit trafficking in firearms and in monitoring SDG target 16.4. [ Read More ]

Two trainings on Detection of Firearms Trafficking at Land Border Crossing Points - On 18-20 June 2018 UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) conducted two trainings for 20 customs officials from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) on detection of firearms at land border crossing points (BCP), investigation and prosecution of trafficking cases. The first training targeted officials from the regional centers in Tuzla, Mostar, Banja Luka and Sarajevo. The second training was attended by members of the mobile Customs' units within the Law Enforcement Department. [ Read More ]

UNODC Global Firearms Programme participates in the first Conference of State Parties to the Kinshasa Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons in Yaoundé - From 11 to 13 of JUne 2018, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme took part in the First Conference of State Parties to the Central African Convention for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition, Parts and Components that can be used for their Manufacture, Repair or Assembly also known as the Kinshasa Convention, in Yaoundé, Cameroon. [ Read More ]

Regional meeting on the community of practitioners - On 29-30 May 2018, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organised in Vienna, Austria, a regional meeting on " Exchange of good practices and experiences in prosecution of illicit firearms trafficking and its links to other forms of organised crime". [ Read More ]

Chad's Legal Drafting Committee concludes its work and presents new draft firearms law to the Minister of National Security - 25 May 2018 - Chad's Legislative Drafting Committee, established with the support of the Global Firearms Programme to revise and adopt a new firearms legislation, concluded its work on 22 may. In a high-level meeting, UNODC officially presented and submitted the draft law on firearms to the Minister of Security and other relevant Institutions, including the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for its consideration and onward submission to the National Assembly.

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The Government of France and the UNODC Global Firearms Programme host a Side Event on Addressing the Links between Firearms Trafficking, Organized Crime and Terrorism - On May 16, 2018, the Government of France in cooperation with the UNODC Golbal Firearms Programme hosted a joint side event to the 27th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice to discuss firearms trafficking in the context of organized crime and terrorism.

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25-27 April 2018, Tirana, Albania: UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme, participated and presented the activities at the regional inter-disciplinary workshop on the links between firearms trafficking and cybercrime, as well as provided inputs at the national workshop on the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW)/firearms in the Western Balkans by 2025. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme participates in a second coordination meeting to counter firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans - On 18 April 2018, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) took part in the Meeting of the local coordination group on illicit firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans, which was held in Belgrade, Serbia. The meeting was attended by H.E. Ivica Dacic, Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Nevojsa Stefanovic, Minister of Interior, H.E. Frederic Mondolini, French Ambassador to Serbia and H.E. Axel Dittmann, German Ambassador to Serbia. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme participates in a regional meeting on SALW in the Western Balkans - On 23 March in Belgrade, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme took part in the Regional Steering Group Meeting on SALW, organized by the United Nations Development Programme's project "South-East European Clearinghouse for Small Arms Control (SEESAC)".

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The Global Firearms Programme contributes to the OSCE Scholarship for Peace and Security training course on arms control - 16 February - While the Global Firearms Programme (GFP) actively promotes the participation of women in its activities, a women exclusive audience is hard to find when it comes to discussing firearms trafficking, arms control and disarmament. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme participates in a joint committee between European Union Firearms Experts and South East Europe Countries Experts - On 26 January, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme took part in the second meeting of EU and South East Europe Firearms Experts in Brussels, where it addressed its priorities for the fight on illicit firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme participates in a meeting on monitoring firearms flows to and from Europe - On 25 January in Brussels, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme presented to EU member states its updated data collection and analysis methodology on the monitoring of illicit firearms trafficking flows. The meeting, organized by the EU Directorate-General Migration and Home Affairs (DG Home), was part of a series of regional workshops aimed at improving the evidenced based understating of global firearms flows. [ Read More ]

The Global Firearms Programme participates in the Model United Nations event in Qatar - On 25 January 2018, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP), within the framework of UNODC's Education for Justice initiative (E4J), participated in the Model United Nations event, held in Doha, Qatar. [ Read More ]

Information briefing to Member States on the Global Firearms Programme - On 23 January 2018, the Global Firearms Programme held its first information briefing to Member States. The meeting gathered more than 70 governments' representatives from 55 Member States. [ Read More ]

Regional meeting on the Community of Practitioners in Algiers - From 5 to 7 December 2017, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP), with the support of the Government of Algeria, organised in Algiers a regional meeting on " Exchange of good practices and experience in combatting illicit arms trafficking and its links to Terrorism and Organized Crime".

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Training in Serbia on identification and tracing of firearms and ammunition - On 19-20 December 2017, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) and the United Nations Development Programme's regional project "South-East European Clearinghouse for Small Arms Control (SEESAC)" organized in Belgrade, Serbia, a sub-regional training for 17 police officers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia on identification and tracing of firearms and ammunition.

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Regional meeting on the Community of Practitioners in Belgrade - On 12-13 December 2017, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) organized in Belgrade, Serbia a regional meeting for criminal justice practitioners from the Western Balkan countries on exchange of good practices and experiences in combatting illicit firearms trafficking. [ Read More ]

Workshop on firearms marking in Belgrade - On 14 December 2017 UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a workshop with the members of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) of the Republic of Serbia on marking of firearms and ammunition. GFP presented the report on best practices of marking of imported firearms and ammunition. [ Read More ]

Workshop on the Implementation of the Law on Marking of Firearms and Ammunition in Bosnia and Herzegovina - On 1 December 2017 the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a workshop in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), with the Working Group on the implementation of the Law on Marking of Firearms and Ammunition. The workshop was organized with financial support from Germany. [ Read More ]

Monitoring arms flows and the Sustainable Development Goals: Latin-Ameriacan meeting on data collection - From 29 to 30 November, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme jointly with the Government of Panama, organised a regional meeting for Member States from Latin America with a view to enhancing national and international data collection and analysis efforts in order to monitor illicit firearms trafficking flows. The meeting took place in Panama at the National Police Conference Centre.

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Training on Detection of Firearms Trafficking at Land Border Crossing Points - On 28-30 November 2017, UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) and the World Customs Organization (WCO), in cooperation with UK Border Force Skills Academy and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, organized in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), training for 20 customs officers on detection of firearms trafficking at land border crossing points. The capacity building event was support through a generous contribution from the Federal Republic of Germany. [ Read More ]

Legal drafting committee in Chad develops a comprehensive law on arms - From 7 to 9 November 2017, the Republic of Chad and UNODC's Global Firearms Programme organized a three-day legal drafting workshop in the capital, N'Djamena, to revise and finalise a draft comprehensive law on arms and ammunition for Chad. The legal drafting committee brought together fourteen legal experts from the National Assembly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Public Security, the National Police and the Department of Defense. [ Read More ]

Technical Assistance for Marking of Imported Firearms - On 23 October 2017 UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized a study visit for five officials from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and two officials from Serbia to Vienna Proof-House. Both BiH and Serbia are in the process of developing and implementing procedures for marking of imported firearms, which improves their capacity to conduct domestic tracing.

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Monitoring arm flows and the Sustainable Development Goals: African meeting on data collection - From 28 to 29 September, UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme and with the support of its Research and Analysis Branch, organised a regional meeting for African Member States to enhance national and international data collection and analysis efforts in order to monitor illicit firearms trafficking flows. [ Read More ]

UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) participated to the Law Enforcement Training Net conference jointly organized by The Government of Mexico represented by the Federal Police and AMERIPOL - 30 August - 1 September 2017- On 31 August 2017, the fifth session of the conference was dedicated to Monitoring, Criminalization and Investigation of Firearms Trafficking. The was started by GFP with a comprehensive overview of the complex and multidimensional aspects of Firearms Trafficking. The presentation addressed issues such as the flow of firearms from licit to illicit markets, the investigative process and its common challenges and the international responses. [ Read More]

UNODC analyses the policy implications of illicit firearms trafficking on the dark web - 19 July 2017, after several months of in depth research, analysis and expert consultations, on 20July 2017 Rand Europe launched its report "Behind the Curtain: The illicit trade of firearms, explosives and ammunition on the dark web" (https://www.rand.org/randeurope/research/projects/international-arms-trade-on-the-hidden-web.html). It constitutes the first empirical investigation of firearms trafficking on crypto markets administered on the dark web. [ Read More]

Regional workshop for Maghreb countries and Libya on international legal instruments on Firearms - From 11 to 13 July, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized in Tunis, Tunisia, a legal workshop for the Maghreb countries and Libya aimed at presenting and promoting the implementation of the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunitions.

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The European Commission and the UNODC Global Firearms Programme and Research and Trend Analysis Branch organize a side event to stimulate discussions on how to use statistical firearms data for operational purposes -On 25 May 2017, the European Commission and the UNODC Global Firearms Programme and Research and Trend Analysis Branch organized a joint side event to the 26 ^th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice entitled " From Data to Action - Using Firearms Data to Tailor Policies, Enhance Operational Capacities and Foster International Cooperation to Combat Firearms Trafficking". [ Read More]

The Government of the United Kingdom, RAND Europe and the UNODC Global Firearms Programme and Global Programme on Cybercrime discuss illicit arms trafficking on the hidden web - On 23 May 2017, the Government of the United Kingdom, RAND Europe and the UNODC Global Firearms Programme and Global Programme on Cybercrime organized a joint side event to the 26 ^th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice entitled " Web-based Arms Trafficking: Investigating the illegal trade of firearms through the hidden web". [ Read More]

Global Firearms Programme participated in an open briefing on "Preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons" -16 May 2017 - From 16 to 19 May, the Global Firearms Programme was invited to the open briefing from Member States on "Preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons" organised by the Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate with the aim to provide an overview on the various initiatives conducted by the United Nations in this regard. UNODC's Global Firearms Programme participated to the meeting as a panellist and presented its work under session II. [ Read More]

The GFP and CRIMJUST organize a side event during the Commission on Narcotic Drugs about the links between illicit drug trafficking and illicit firearms trafficking

16 March 2017 - On 16 March during the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna, the Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized jointly with CRIMJUST a side event entitled "Links between illicit drug trafficking and illicit firearms trafficking - towards an integrated approach - Experiences from UNODC and Member States". [ Read More]

The GFP supports the development of educational tools on firearms for the primary, secondary and tertiary level
13 March 2017 - In the framework of UNODC's 'Education for Justice' initiative (E4J), the Global Firearms Programme (GFP) supported expert group meetings on primary, secondary and tertiary education taking place in Vienna from 8-10 February, 13-15 February and 8-9 March 2017, respectively. [ Read More]

UNODC reaches out to high school students in the 2017 "The Hague International Model United Nations" conference in Doha
30 January 2017 - From 24 to 26 January 2017, UNODC participated in the 'The Hague International Model United Nations' (THIMUN) conference organized by the Qatar Foundation in Doha, Qatar. This year, the conference addressed several topics related to UNODC's mandate, including firearms...

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The Global Firearms Programme delivers a training on "Investigating and Prosecuting Firearms Offences" in Niger
21 December 2016 - From 12 to 16 December, the Global Firearms Programme (GFP) organized together with the National Commission for small arms and light weapons (CNCCAI) from Niger, a five-day training course on the investigation and prosecution of firearms related offences in Niamey. [ Read More]

UNODC advocates for increased data collection in relation to firearms trafficking among South Eastern European jurisdictions
From 5 to 6 December 2016, UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme, participated in the 6th Regional Meeting of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Commissions which was organised by the South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) in Budva, Montenegro. [ Read More]

Legal Workshop on the Legislative Framework of Firearms and Ammunition in Chad
5 December 2016 - From 29 November to 1 December 2016, UNODC organized in N'Djamena, Chad, a three-day workshop on legal drafting relating to the legislative framework of Firearms and ammunition in the country. The workshop was aimed to promote adherence and implementation of the Firearms Protocol and to explain the synergies between all the international and regional instruments. [ Read More]

UNODC strengthens the criminal justice response of Malian law enforcement and criminal justice officers to firearms trafficking and other firearms related crimes
5 December 2016, Bamako - From 28 November to 2 December 2016, UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme, continued its series of trainings to strengthen the criminal justice response of West and Central African law enforcement and criminal justice officers. [ Read More]

Strengthening the criminal justice response in Mauritania through training on investigation and prosecution of firearms related crimes

10 October 2016 - UNODC, through its Global Firearms Programme, organised a training course on investigation and prosecution of firearms related crimes in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

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Monitoring firearms trafficking and illicit financial flows in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals
21 October 2016 - On 20 October 2016, at the 8th Session of the Conference of State Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols Thereto in Vienna, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP), in collaboration with...[ Read More]

UNODC organizes with the UK and RAND a side event to the 8 th COP about web-based arms trafficking
20 October 2016 - On Wednesday 19 October 2016, during the 8 th Conference of the State Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme and the Global Cybercrime Programme, organized...[ Read More]

Training Course in Chad on Investigation and Prosecution of Firearms Trafficking
From 3 to 7 October 2016, UNODC organized in N'Djamena, Chad, a five day training of trainers on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking in partnership with the Chadian national Police. The training was opened by the Prosecutor General and brought together national experts...[ Read More]

UNODC assists Burkina Faso in the drafting of a new law on firearms

26 September 2016 - From 22 to 24 September 2016, UNODC organized a legal drafting workshop in Ouagadougou where national experts revised and discussed together with the Global Firearms Programme the findings of the legislative assessment conducted on the national legislative framework and elaborated together a new draft law relating to the trafficking and illicit manufacturing of firearms. [ Read More]

Joint Meeting on firearms with the Flemish Peace Institute at UNOV
21 September 2016 - The Global Firearms Programme organized a meeting on firearms together with a delegation of the Flemish Peace Institute, an independent body dedicated to peace research, and the Committee for Foreign Policy of the Flemish Parliament, at UNOV on 20 September 2016.

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Informal Expert Group Meeting on Data Collection and Analysis on Illicit Trafficking in Firearms, Taking into Account the UNODC Study on Firearms 2015 and Target 16.4 of the Sustainable Development Goals
15-16 September 2016 - From 15 to 16 September 2016, UNODC organized the "Informal Expert Group Meeting on Data Collection and Analysis on Illicit Trafficking in Firearms, Taking into Account the UNODC Study on Firearms 2015 and Target 16.4 of the Sustainable Development Goals" in Vienna, Austria.

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Training Workshop for Gulf Countries on the International Legal Framework and the Firearms Protocol
31 August 2016 - the GFP organized a training workshop for Gulf Countries on the international legal framework and the United Nations Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition (Firearms Protocol), in Abu Dhabi from...[ Read More]

Legal Workshops on the Legislative Framework of Firearms and Ammunition in Mali and Niger
15 August 2016 - Because of the growing threat of terrorism, illicit trafficking of firearms has become one of the main preoccupations of West African countries. To meet this threat, several States from the region have decided to review their domestic legislation with the technical support from UNODC's...

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UNODC participates in the destruction of 25,000 firearms in Argentina
15 August 2016 - On 12 August 2016, the National Agency for Controlled Materials (Anmac - former RENAR) acting under the authority of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, carried out the destruction of 25,000 firearms from crime. The material was stored in court deposits in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Santa Fe and Mendoza. [ Read More]

UNODC strengthens firearms marking capacity in West Africa

4-8 January 2016, Cotonou, Bénin - Among the security challenges affecting the West Africa region, firearms trafficking is of crucial importance. Since the Libyan crisis of 2011, the proliferation of firearms has increased substantially, facilitating the destabilizing activities of numerous armed...[ Read More]

Workshops on Synergies between Firearms Control Instruments
15 October 2015 - On 13 to 14 October 2015 the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Government of Costa Rica hosted a Regional Meeting for Latin America in the city of San José on "Synergies between international instruments on arms control - Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), Protocol on Firearms and Program of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (UNPoA)". [ Read More]

Global Firearms Programme supports sharing of good practices and lessons learned on countering illicit firearms trafficking between South American and Sahel-Saharan countries

27 March 2015 - On 23- 26 March 2015 the United Nations Office in Drugs and Crime, UNODC hosted a Cross- Regional Meeting titled "Sharing of Good Practices in Countering Illicit Manufacturing and Illicit trafficking in Firearms and its Link to transnational Organized Crime, Lessons Learned from...

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Training Course on Investigation and Prosecution of Firearms Trafficking
15 July 2014 - On 8-11 July 2014 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, UNODC organized a training course on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking in partnership with the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons. During the training, UNODC experts and twenty national law enforcement and judicial officials reviewed the legal grounds for prosecution of illicit ...[ Read More]

Strengthen the legislative and operational response against trafficking in firearms in West Africa and the Sahel region
28 February 2014 - On 25-27 February 2014, in Dakar, Senegal, UNODC organised a regional seminar on the legislative and operational response against trafficking in firearms. This event was the first regional initiative within the firearms component of UNODC's Sahel strategy. [ Read More]

Training Course on Investigation and Prosecution of Firearms Trafficking
15 October 2013 - On 14-18 October 2013 in Accra, Ghana, UNODC, in partnership with the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons of the Republic of Ghana (NACSA) and INTERPOL, organized a training course on investigation and prosecution of firearms trafficking.
The specific goals of the training were to reinforce and build upon past experiences in firearms...[ Read More]

Side Event on Monitoring Illicit Firearms Trafficking, its Routes and Modus Operandi
23 April 2013 - UNODC and INTERPOL co-organized a side event on the options for monitoring firearms trafficking, its routes and modus operandi. The event was opened by Mr. Tofik Murshudlu, Chief of the Implementation Support Section of the Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking branch of UNODC and Mr. Jeffrey Stirling, Coordinator of the Firearms Programme in INTERPOL...[ Read More]

Global Programme on Firearms and the Container Control Programme Training Course
19-20 March 2013 - UNODC provided training to officials of the law enforcement and customs agencies from Albania and Montenegro, who are members of the Joint Port Control Units, established under the framework of the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP). Thus, a training component from Global Project on Firearms was incorporated for the first time...

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UNODC participates in a high level EU conference
21 November 2012 - On 19 November UNODC made a presentation on the UNODC's global state of art and future steps in the implementation of its mandate with regard to the Firearms Protocol at the high level conference "Fight against illicit trafficking in firearms. Where do we stand?". The conference was organized by DG Home Affairs and attended by Ms. Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner...[ Read More]

MERCOSUR Participation in the XXIII GTAM Meeting
30 October - 2 Novemver 2012 - The MERCOSUR Working Group on Firearms and Ammunition, composed by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Government Authorities responsible for the record keeping, control, authorization, auditing and all activities related to firearms and other materials. This semester the Federative Republic of Brazil...[ Read More]

Sixth Conference of the Parties, Vienna, Austria - Side Event on the Synergies between the Firearms Protocol, UN PoA and the Arms Trade Treaty
18 October 2012 - The Government of Mexico and the Academic Council of the United Nations System have co-sponsored a side event where the representatives from the Republic of Austria, UNODC and the Geneva Forum discussed about the complementary and mutually reinforcing...[ Read More]

Legislative support to Ghana
24 September 2012 - On 18 - 20 September UNODC held meetings in Accra, Ghana, with representatives from the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons and the relevant officials from the Ministry of the Interior and the Police Service. The mission was within the framework of the global project on firearms with a focus on the implementation of the activities...

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Development of a Record Keeping System by Panama and UNODC
16 - 21 September 2012 - The Republic of Panama in a joint initiative with the UNODC Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean (ROPAN) and the General Coordinator of the Global Project X34, are developing a record keeping...

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Needs assessment in The Gambia
10 July 2012 - On 04-06 July UNODC held meetings in Banjul, The Gambia, within the framework of the global project on firearms, with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Justice. [ Read More]

Regional Seminar on the Firearms Protocol
10 - 12 July 2012 - On 10-12 July in Dakar, Senegal UNODC organized a regional seminar on legislative harmonisation and good practices for the implementation of the Firearms Protocol. Information about the presentations and the group discussions is available in the seminar report, which can be downloaded here.

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Regional Seminar: "Harmonization of legislation and best practices for the implementation of the Firearms Protocol in South America"

25- 27 June 2012 - Buenos Aires, Argentina -The Regional Seminar on the harmonization of laws and best practices for the implementation of the Firearms Protocol in the region, took place on 25, 26 and 27 June in Buenos Aires. The meeting was attended by...[ Read More]

Global Project X34 Presentation at the OAS

14 to 15 May 2012 - Washington, DC, USA - UNODC was invited by the Organization of American States (OAS) to present the project at the Third Global Conference of States Parties to the Convention...

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Seminar "Disarmament of Civil Society"

7 May 2012 - In the framework of the Meeting of Ministers of Justice of MERCOSUR and Associated States, a regional seminar was held on "Disarmament of Civil Society: Towards a Comprehensive Regional Strategy"...[ Read More]

Destruction of Firearms

5 May 2012 - Argentina - UNODC has participated in the destruction of 10,745 firearms from the "National Voluntary Surrender of Firearms Program", this nationwide program is part of a comprehensive policy for the control and prevention of armed violence, aiming to reduce the circulation of weapons among civilians ...[ Read More]

Side event on Countering Illicit Firearms Trafficking and Related Criminality

27 April 2012 - UNODC and the Stockholm International Peace and Research Institute (SIPRI) co-organized a side event on the development of specialized tools to counter illicit trafficking during the twenty-first session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. The event was opened by Pierre Lapaque, Chief of the ...

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Uruguay supports the Firearms Project

28 - 31 March 2012 - On March 28 to 31 during the Montevideo meeting, it has been raised and analyzed, in conjunction with the interagency committee, the need for a law on firearms in accordance with the Firearms Protocol. [ Read More]

Regulation of the Firearms Law in Paraguay

25 - 27 March 2012 - The Republic of Paraguay is working on the regulation of the firearms law, which is categorized as the most modern legislation in the region and presented to be in line with the legislation of Brazil and Argentina, strengthening the fight against illicit trafficking in firearms in the triple border...

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Joint OSCE, UNDP and UNODC mission to the Republic of Moldova

22 March 2012 - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MFAEI) of the Republic of Moldova requested assistance from OSCE and UNODC to assess the national implementation of the UN Firearms Protocol, OSCE Document on SALW, and UNSCR 1540. In line with the UNODC - OSCE Joint Action Plan 2011 - 2012, the representatives of both organizations...[ Read More]

Bolivia Draft Law on Firearms

19-24 March 2012 - From 19 to 24 March 2012, UNODC has been working actively with the inter-ministerial platform of the plural-national State of Bolivia. Bolivia's advance in the fight against illicit trafficking of firearms has been reflected in the draft law on "Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Materials", which has been partially approved by the parliament.

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On 04 June 2021, the UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a training on identification and tracing of firearms for 19 prosecutors. The participants represented Prosecutor’s Offices from different material and territorial competencies on the state level.

The Plurinational State of Bolivia Accedes to the Firearms Protocol

On 25 November 2021, in Kyiv, Ukraine, the European Union through its European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) and UNODC through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) have organized a workshop on the detection of firearms in fast and postal parcels within the framework of operation Armstrong.

UNODC promotes collaboration between the National Ministry of Security and the National Public Prosecutor's Office of Argentina