The Thirty-Second Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of
the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was held at Frigate Bay, St. Kitts and Nevis
from 30 June – 4 July 2011. The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr.
Denzil Douglas presided.
Other members of the Conference in attendance were: the Prime Minister of
Antigua and Barbuda, Hon. Winston Baldwin Spencer; the Prime Minister of The
Bahamas, Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham; the Prime Minister of Barbados, Hon.
Freundel Stuart; the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Hon.
Roosevelt Skerritt; the Prime Minister of Grenada, Hon. Tillman Thomas; the
President of the Republic of Guyana, His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo; the
President of the Republic of Haiti, His Excellency Michel Martelly; the Prime
Minister of Jamaica, Hon. Bruce Golding; the Chief Minister of Montserrat, Hon.
Reuben Meade; the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Hon. Stephenson King; the
President of the Republic of Suriname, His Excellency Desiré Delano Bouterse;
and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Hon. Kamla
Persad-Bissessar.
Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
represented Belize and the Hon. Dr. Douglas Slater, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
represented St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Chief Minister of Anguilla, Hon.
Hubert Benjamin Hughes, represented that Associate Member.
OPENING CEREMONY
The Chairman of CARICOM, Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas; the Prime Minister of
Barbados, Hon. Freundel Stuart; the Prime Minister of Grenada, Hon. Tillman
Thomas; the President of the Republic of Haiti, His Excellency Michel Martelly;
the President of the Republic of Suriname, His Excellency Desiré D. Bouterse;
and the Acting CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Lolita Applewhaite,
addressed the Opening Ceremony. Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Dr. Douglas
Slater, read an address on behalf of the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the
Grenadines, Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves.
The addresses are available at www.caricom.org .
AWARDS
Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC)
Sir Edwin Carrington, former Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community,
was invested with the Community’s highest honour, the Order of the Caribbean
Community. In presenting the Award, the Community heralded him as instrumental
in deepening the regional integration process, having overseen the revision of
the Treaty of Chaguaramas and the consequent transition of the Community from a
Common Market to a Single Market.
CARICOM Triennial Award for Women
The Tenth CARICOM Triennial Award for Women was bestowed upon Professor
Violet Eudine Barriteau Deputy Principal, University of the West Indies, Cave
Hill, for her outstanding contribution to Gender and Development and the
socio-economic development of the Caribbean Community.
Annual CARICOM 10K Road Race
Presentations were also made to the winners of the CARICOM 10K Road Race
which was staged on Sunday 3 July 2011 in St. Kitts and Nevis. Prime Minister
Douglas presented the CARICOM Chairman’s Trophy to Zepherinus Joseph of Saint
Lucia winner of the male category in the event. His Excellency Desire Bouterse,
President of the Republic of Suriname, Lead Head of Government in the CARICOM
quasi-cabinet for Youth, Sport, Gender and Community Development presented the
Trophy to Euleen Josiah-Tanner of Guyana who won in the Female Category.
GOVERNANCE
Heads of Government mandated the Inter-Governmental Task Force (IGTF)
revising the Treaty to consider and develop amendments to strengthen the
monitoring and enforcement provisions of the Treaty and include sanctions and
other measures to secure compliance.
Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community
Heads of Government reviewed the recommendations made by the Search Committee
for the post of Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community. They agreed to
conduct interviews with the short-listed candidates within two weeks and
committed themselves to making a decision on the new Secretary-General shortly
thereafter.
Review of the CARICOM Secretariat
Heads of Government received an initial report and held discussions with the
team of consultants on the on-going Review of the CARICOM Secretariat. They
looked forward to further interaction with the team during their in-country
consultations and to receiving their final report before the end of the year.
The Review of the Secretariat is the first in a series of initiatives
mandated by the Heads of Government towards improving governance arrangements
within the Community. The Review of the CARICOM Secretariat will be followed by
a review of all Organisations and Institutions established within the Community.
PRIORITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY
CSME
In elaborating on discussions held at their Special Retreat in Guyana on
21-22 May on the priorities for the Community, Heads of Government affirmed the
importance of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) in advancing the
development of the Region.
They reiterated the importance of ensuring a fully effective and efficient
Single Market which is critical to making the Region more competitive and better
equipped to compete in the global market place. While reiterating their
intention to review the schedule towards full implementation of the Single
Economy, putting a pause on specific elements, such as the creation of a Single
Currency, Heads of Government highlighted the critical importance of advancing
implementation of those elements of the Single Economy which would create an
environment more conducive to investment and job creation.
With special reference to agriculture, Heads of Government reiterated the
importance of the sector to the socio-economic development of the Region. They
agreed on the need for action which would more effectively take the plans and
programmes already developed from paper to field to market to ensure food and
nutrition security for the Region.
The issue of transportation continued to engage the attention of the Heads of
Government. They recognised that efforts were being made to resolve the
challenges posed but recognised that these were not yet adequate to address the
problem.
Heads of Government called on the private sector, civil society particular
labour, and the universities of the Region to help create innovative solutions
to encouraging competitiveness. They received an update on the formation of the
Caribbean Business Council and recognised it as an important element in the
continued engagement with the private sector.
ICT4D
Heads of Government acknowledged the importance of Information and
Communication Technology to the development of the Community. In that context
they received an update on the preparation of the Draft Regional Digital
Development Strategy and Implementation Plan.
Heads of Government urged all Member States to advance their review of the
strategy expeditiously so that it can meet final approval at their next
Inter-Sessional Meeting.
Heads of Government welcomed the imminent establishment of C@ribnet by the
EXTERNAL TRADE
Heads of Government noted the progress being made in the negotiations of a
Trade and Development Agreement with Canada, and re-affirmed their commitment to
finalising a mutually beneficial Agreement as soon as possible. In this context,
they affirmed the importance which the Region attached to the renewal of the
CARIBCAN waiver to facilitate the conclusion of the negotiations.
They expressed concern that after ten (10) years of negotiations, a
successful outcome of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Doha Development Agenda
still eludes the international community, thereby further delaying the reform of
the multilateral trading system that would place development at its core.
Heads of Government expressed appreciation for the invaluable partnership
with the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB) which is supporting the
development of the Region’s Aid for Trade Strategy, including the elaboration of
major projects in the areas such as Maritime Transport, ICT, Trade Facilitation
and Logistics, as well as the Region’s preparations for participation in the
Third Global Review of Aid for Trade.
They looked forward to a positive outcome of upcoming engagements with Cuba
and the Dominican Republic on the respective bilateral trade agreements with
those two (2) countries
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Haiti
Heads of Government welcomed the President of Haiti to his first meeting of
the Conference and were pleased to begin the discussions with him on
strengthening of that Member State’s role within the Community. They expressed
pleasure at the commencement of the non-reciprocal trading arrangement granted
by the Community to Haiti for a three-year period beginning 1 January 2011. They
looked forward to the completion of arrangements for Haiti’s full participation
in the Single Market.
Heads of Government also looked forward to being in Haiti in 2013, for their
Twenty-Fourth Inter-Sessional Meeting to be held in the first quarter of that
year.
Heads of Government also received Reports on a range of recent developments
relating to Haiti from their Special Representative on Haiti and from the
Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States (OAS).
They reiterated their call for the international community to fulfil their
pledges to finance the reconstruction of Haiti, following the devastation of the
January 2010 earthquake. They deplored the continued dilatory manner in which
the pledges were being honoured and underlined the importance of taking into
account the priorities determined by the Government of Haiti in the approval of
projects by the Interim Haiti Reconstruction Commission.
Heads of Government also concurred with the position advanced by the Special
Representative with respect to the importance of capacity-building including of
the public administration, for the sustainable development of Haiti and
committed to pursuing consultations with the new government to put in place
arrangements for the Community’s contribution in this critical area. Heads of
Government congratulated the University of the West Indies (UWI) on its
assistance to the Haitian tertiary education sector. They noted that UWI would
again be accepting final year students from Haiti in partnership with the State
University of Haiti from the next academic year and that the UWI will be waiving
tuition and fees for those students.
Heads of Government welcomed a statement from the Prime Minister of Trinidad
and Tobago on the commitment of that country to the integration process. The
statement is available at www.caricom.org
Turks and Caicos Islands Constitutional Issue
Heads of Government expressed their continued concern about the situation in
the Turks and Caicos Islands, an Associate Member of the Community.
They noted that the constitutional reform process had been completed though
not to the full satisfaction of the Islanders.
They reiterated their expectations that elections will be held in the
shortest timeframe possible, in order to lead to a return to self rule and
democratic and representative governance. They requested the Council for Foreign
and Community Relations (COFCOR) to continue to monitor the situation closely,
in order to keep them informed.
HUMAN AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Health
Heads of Government noted the progress made in the sector across the
Community over the past ten years to improve the health and well-being of the
people and to contribute to economic development of the Region.
Heads of Government welcomed the entry into force of the Inter-Governmental
Agreement (IGA), establishing the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) which
will have its Headquarters in Trinidad and Tobago. CARPHA is intended to advance
the realization, embodied in the Nassau Declaration signed ten years ago (2001):
the Health of the Region is the Wealth of the Region. In this regard, it is
expected to highlight the opportunity costs of pursuing public health functions
in a consolidated way, rather than as disparate entities, as existed until now,
that duplicate efforts and dilute the public health objectives for which they
were designed.
Heads of Government lauded the contribution of the Pan Caribbean Partnership
Against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP), which has earned the accolade of an international
best practice by the UN in the fight against the disease and noted with
satisfaction its achievements as the partnership celebrated this year, the 10th
Anniversary of the signing of the PANCAP Commitment.
Heads of Government applauded the positive contribution of the Community led
by PANCAP at the recent UN High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS. They noted that among
the major Caribbean regional commitments contained in the outcome document were
the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, reducing AIDS-related
maternal deaths by 2015 and the need to ensure that financial resources for
prevention are targeted to evidence-based prevention measures.
Heads of Government welcomed the significant role being played by the
Community in advocacy and preparation for the UN High-Level Meeting on the
Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) scheduled for UN
Headquarters, New York, USA 19-20 September 2011.
They recalled the successful outcome of their 2007 Summit on NCDs in
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago which stimulated a wellness revolution and
led to the observance of Caribbean Wellness Day as an annual event.
Heads of Government stressed the Community’s commitment to pursuing an
agenda that placed emphasis on: Four (4) Diseases: Diabetes,
Cardiovascular Diseases, Chronic Respiratory Illnesses and Cancer; Four (4)
Risk Factors: Tobacco, Diet, Physical Inactivity and Inappropriate Alcohol
use and Four Strategic Approaches: Risk Factor Reduction, Health System
Reform, Equitable access to effective, affordable medications and improving
surveillance and program monitoring and evaluation.
Heads of Government committed to ensuring representation of the Community at
the highest level, at the High-Level Meeting in September.
Human Resource Development
Heads of Government received an update on the transformation of the
University of the West Indies (UWI) and implementation of its 2007-2012
Strategic Plan. They noted that enrolment had doubled but expressed concern at
the fact that the male enrolment was less than half of that of the female.
Heads of Government urged that steps be taken to improve the regional
character of the University with specific reference to the 12 countries in which
the University does not have a physical presence (UWI 12). In that regard they
recognised efforts to enhance the University’s presence through the use of
technology and the establishment of a Task Force to examine this problem.
Climate Change
Heads of Government noted preparations for the upcoming United Nations 17TH
Climate Change Conference (COP 17) – 28 November to 9 December 2011, Durban,
South Africa. They expressed the hope that this round of negotiations would
result in a balanced outcome which adequately addresses the issues core to the
interests of the Caribbean Community.
They agreed to the establishment of a team of experts to draft a regional
plan of action to guide regional negotiators within the fora of the UNFCCC.
Heads of Government requested that the postponed Third Joint Meeting of the
Council for Human and Social Development and the Council for Trade and Economic
Development take place as soon as possible to facilitate work on a regional plan
of action in preparation for COP 17 and on the Implementation Plan for the
Regional Climate Change Strategic Framework.
Sustainable Development
Heads of Government recognised the importance of the UN Conference on
Sustainable Development Rio+20 scheduled for June 2012. They noted that the
Conference focus on two themes: (a) a green economy in the context of
sustainable development and poverty eradication; and (b) the institutional
framework for sustainable development both of which have great relevance to the
Community.
They urged that the Community move urgently with its preparations and
consolidate a CARICOM position within the framework of the Small Island
Developing States platform.
Cricket
Heads of Government agreed that the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on
cricket should engage the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies
Players Association (WIPA) in an effort to resolve their on-going dispute. This
Sub-Committee comprises Heads of Government of Antigua and Barbuda (Chair),
Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the Chair of the Conference
as an ex officio member (St. Kitts and Nevis).
SECURITY
Heads of Government received a report from the Chairman of the Council for
National Security and Law Enforcement regarding the Implementation Agency for
Crime and Security (IMPACS).
They commended the Council for its actions to date and looked forward to the
conclusion of the audit of the Agency and a further report from the CONSLE on
the recommendations arising out of the investigations.
Heads of Government adopted the CARICOM Declaration on Small Arms and Light
Weapons as the regional mechanism in the collective effort to combat the illicit
trade in small arms and light weapons and their ammunition. They noted with
grave concern that the use of these weapons has spawned an alarming rise in
murders and gun violence throughout the Region. A copy of the CARICOM Declaration is provided below.
Trafficking in Persons
Heads of Government emphasized once again their strong commitment to
combating the crime of trafficking in persons, underlining that they have
adopted and implemented policies of prevention, prosecution and victim
protection in their respective Member States. They reiterated their deep concern
that the United States of America continues to place several of the countries of
the Caribbean Community on either Tier II or the Tier II Watchlist, noting that
countries that are placed on the Tier II Watchlist for three (3) successive
years will be subject to sanctions by the USA. This unilateral rating is likely
to affect several CARICOM countries.
The Heads of Government deplored that despite consultation with US
authorities, the reports of Trafficking in Persons (TIPS) issued by the United
States State Department continued to contain many allegations that could not be
substantiated as the required evidence was not provided.
Heads of Government reiterated their invitation to the Government of the
United States to engage in meaningful dialogue on this issue with Member States.
FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES
Candidatures
Heads of Government endorsed the candidacy of Dr Clarissa Etienne of
Dominica, for the post of Director-General of the Pan American Health
Organisation (PAHO) for the period 2013 –
Heads of Government also endorsed the candidacy of Dr John Ashe of Antigua
and Barbuda, for the post of President of the United Nations General Assembly
for the 2013-14 Session.
The Situation in Libya
Heads of Government deplored the increasing loss of innocent life as the
conflict in Libya becomes drawn out. They called for a ceasefire as well as the
early convening of negotiations. In this regard, they expressed support for the
African Union in their search for a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
Venezuela
Heads of Government expressed grave concern over the illness of His
Excellency Hugo Chavez, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and
despatched the following message:
“It is with grave concern that we, the Heads of Government of the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) greet reports of the illness of His Excellency
Hugo Chavez, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, a close friend
and committed partner of the Community.
We are confident that his resilience and strength will be of great
assistance to him in this trying time and we look forward to his full and speedy
recovery”.
Summits
Heads of Government recognised the importance of their participation in three
(3) Summits in the coming months. These were the Third CARICOM-SICA Summit (19
August 2011, San Salvador, El Salvador); Twenty-Eighth Meeting of Commonwealth
Heads of Government, (28-30 October 2011, Perth, Australia) and Fourth
CARICOM-Cuba Summit, (8 December 2011, Trinidad and Tobago). The Council for
Foreign and Community Relations has been tasked with ensuring that thorough
preparations are undertaken for the meaningful participation of the Community in
these important events.
EXCHANGE OF VIEWS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
Heads of Government exchanged views with His Excellency Juan Manuel Santos
Calderón, President of Colombia; His Excellency José Miguel Insulza,
Secretary-General, Organisation of American States (OAS); Mr. Andris Piebalgs,
European Union Commissioner for Development and Honourable Sarah
Wescott-Williams, Prime Minister of Sint Maarten.
Heads of Government welcomed the interest of His Excellency Juan Manuel
Santos Calderon, President of Colombia in strengthening his country’s relations
with CARICOM. Heads of Government and the President agreed on the need for
strengthening South-South co-operation and the development of transportation
links between the Community and Latin America as means of promoting deeper
relations.
Heads of Government also received an update on the arrangements and proposals
for the agenda of the 2012 Summit of the Americas to be held in Cartagena,
Colombia on 14-15 April 2012.
They engaged with the OAS Secretary-General on key developments within the
hemisphere. They reiterated the Community’s appreciation for the assistance of
the OAS to Haiti and discussed ways that this co-operation could be strengthened
to the benefit of this Member State of both organisations.
Heads of Government and the Secretary-General agreed that the two (2)
Organisations would work together to develop an agenda to address the security
concerns of the Region, in the context of the OAS Security Programme and the
CARICOM Security Agenda.
In discussions with Mr. Andris Piebalgs, European Union Commissioner for
Development, Heads of Government used the opportunity to discuss ways in which
the EU could continue to assist the development of the Community with an
emphasis on investment and job creation.
Heads of Government expressed concern at the protracted delay in the
disbursement of funds from the Commission for already approved programmes and
projects.
Heads of Government and the Commissioner commended CARICOM/CARIFORUM
representatives and EU officials in Brussels for their work in drafting the
Joint Caribbean-EU Strategy (JEUCS) which would lay the groundwork for a more
mature relationship encompassing political dialogue and development cooperation.
The Joint Strategy is intended to foster an enhanced Caribbean-EU relationship
to better respond to global challenges and to articulate common interests and
would outline the framework for Caribbean-EU relations over the next five (5)
years beginning in 2012.
Heads of Government welcomed the signing of Agreements for disbursement of
budget support to Jamaica and for a 7.9 million Euro programme to support the
Climate Change Agenda of the Region.
Heads of Government and the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, the Hon. Sarah
Wescott-Williams held preliminary discussions with a view to Sint Maarten
submitting a formal request to become an Associate Member of the Community.
Heads of Government noted with satisfaction, that the Special Envoy of the
Government of Cuba, Hon. Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
had held very fruitful discussions with the Chairman of the Conference and the
Community Council Ministers, regarding the arrangements and issues to be
discussed at the IV CARICOM-Cuba Summit, to be held in Trinidad and Tobago on 8
December 2011.
BORDER ISSUES
Guyana-Venezuela Relations
Heads of Government expressed their satisfaction that Guyana and Venezuela
continued to enjoy exceptionally good relations.
They noted that the two (2) countries remained committed to the Good Officer
Process of the United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) in seeking a peaceful
solution to the border controversy.
They reaffirmed their unequivocal support for the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of Guyana.
Belize–Guatemala Relations
Heads of Government noted the report on the status of Belize-Guatemala
relations and the commitment of the two (2) countries to conduct the
simultaneous referenda to decide whether to refer the territorial dispute to the
International Court of Justice for final settlement as required by the Special
Agreement. They welcomed the efforts of both countries to improve the
effectiveness of the Agreement on Confidence Building Measures to reduce
tensions, pending a final resolution to the territorial dispute and to develop
modes of functional cooperation in areas of mutual concern.
Heads of Government commended the support of the Group of Friends and the
Organisation of American States (OAS) in helping to maintain peace and stability
in the Region and called on the international community to continue to support
the OAS and the two (2) countries in this respect.
Heads of Government noted the continued presence of the office of the OAS
located in Belize along the Adjacency Zone which straddles both borders.
Heads of Government also noted that the Guatemalan Congress had given the
legislative approval for the referendum in that country and that both Belize and
Guatemala had to agree on the date for the referendum to be held. It is not
expected that the referendum can be held before the middle of 2013.
They further reaffirmed their unequivocal support for the territorial
integrity and sovereignty of Belize.
AGREEMENTS SIGNED AT THE MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE
Agreement establishing the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Medicine
and Health Professions
Dominica – 3rd July
Agreement establishing the Caribbean Community Accreditation Agency for
Education and Training
Grenada – 2nd July
Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)
The Bahamas – 2nd July
Guyana – 2nd July
St. Vincent and the
Grenadines – 2nd July
Suriname – 2nd July
Trinidad and Tobago – 2nd July
Amendment to Annex III of the Agreement Relating to the Operation of the
CARICOM Development Fund
Dominica – 3rd July
Amendment to the Agreement establishing the Caribbean Aviation Safety and
Security Oversight System
Guyana – 2nd July
Suriname – 2nd July
Dominica – 3rd July
Caribbean Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters
Grenada – 2nd July
Protocol Amending the CARICOM Agreement on Social Security
Grenada
– 2nd July
Agreement on the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network Agency
Jamaica – 3rd July
Messages
The Conference received a message from the Secretary-General of the United
Nations (UNSG) which is attached to this Communiqué.
The Conference also received a message from the Caribbean Movement for Civil
Empowerment.
TWENTY-THIRD INTER-SESSIONAL MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE
In accordance with the Rotation Schedule, His Excellency Desire Delano
Bouterse, President of the Republic of Suriname, will assume the Chair of the
Conference of Heads of Government for the six-month period commencing 1 January
2012.
The Twenty-Third Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference will be held in
Suriname on dates to be proposed by that Member State.
APPRECIATION
Heads of Government expressed appreciation to the Government and people of
St. Kitts and Nevis for their warm and generous hospitality during their
Thirty-Second Regular Meeting.
Frigate Bay, St. Kitts
4 July 2011
CARICOM DECLARATION ON SMALL ARMS AND
LIGHT WEAPONS
The Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the Caribbean
Community (CARICOM),
Recalling that Security has been established as the Fourth Pillar of
the Community,
Also recalling the important role being played by the Implementation
Agency for Crime and Security, IMPACS, established to manage the region’s agenda
on transnational organized crime, security and related matter,
Further recalling the Statement issued at the conclusion of the
Thirteenth Special Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM,
in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from 4-5 April 2008, dedicated to all
aspects of crime and violence in the Region,
Deeply concerned with the prevalence of illegal firearms and
ammunition in perpetrating acts of crime and violence in the region, and its
attendant effects, including loss of life, widespread human suffering, and the
spread of fear and insecurity in our societies,
Gravely concerned with the continuing negative impact of crime and
violence on the socio-economic development and economic viability of CARICOM
States,
Strongly deploring the ease of access to illicit small arms and light
weapons and ammunition, particularly given that the region does not manufacture,
export or re-export these weapons, nor import them on a large scale,
Emphasizing the important role to be played by States that manufacture
small arms and light weapons and ammunition, in preventing their diversion to
the illicit trade,
Recognizing also that a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach is
necessary to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and
light weapons and ammunition,
Aware that the delivery of justice to the victims of armed violence is
an essential element of measures to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit
trade in small arms and light weapons,
Acknowledging the importance of technical assistance in preventing,
combating and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and
ammunition, as well as other elements of transnational organized crime,
Emphasizing that cooperation at the regional, sub-regional and
international levels is an important factor in addressing this trans-border
problem,
Recalling in this regard, the 2001 United Nations Programme of Action
to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light
Weapons in All Its Aspects which remains the only international process that
addresses solely the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons,
Recalling also, the Inter-American Convention on Transparency in
Conventional Weapons Acquisition, and the Inter-American Convention against the
Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives,
and other related materials,
Cognizant of the significance of the International Instrument on
Marking and Tracing in preventing, eradicating and combating the illicit trade
in small arms and light weapons,
Committed to ensuring the region’s full and active participation in
regional and international meetings related to the issue of small arms including
in particular, the 2012 Review of the 2001 Programme of Action to Prevent,
Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All
its Aspects, and the 2012 United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty,
and all relevant preparatory meetings
Reaffirming our commitment to prevent, combat and eradicate the
proliferation of and the illicit trade in small and light weapons and ammunition
in all its aspects,
Strongly desirous of establishing stable, just, and developed
Societies, based on the rule of law, democracy, the principles of justice and
fairness,
Solemnly commit to:
1. implement all necessary actions at the national and regional level to
fully combat the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and their
ammunition;
2. take all necessary measures to ensure full compliance with the 2001
Programme of Action to Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and
Light Weapons, including through the development and implementation of national
action plans to combat the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons;
3. empower national and regional security entities, with the necessary
capacities to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and their
ammunition, as well as other elements of transnational organized crime,
including in the areas of border control, intelligence gathering, and forensic
analysis etc;
4. support the implementation and enforcement of policies and legislation
against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition
at the national level as well as harmonisation of legislation in the fight
against illicit transfers at the regional level;
5. work together in enhancing the management and security of small arms and
light weapons and ammunition stockpiles, including the identification and
destruction of surplus;
6. intensify and sustain engagement in the United Nations effort for the
conclusion of a legally binding Arms Trade Treaty;
7. continue to accord the highest national and regional priority to matters
related to combating and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light
weapons and their ammunition.
