Southeast Asian training workshop to develop National Action Plans to reduce illegal arms flows

Kathmandu, 1 October 2019 (UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific) – As part of its region-wide initiative to support States with the safe and secure management of small arms and light weapons, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) is organizing the Southeast Asia Training Workshop to Develop National Action Plans to Reduce Illegal Arms Flows, in Bangkok, Thailand, on 1-4 October 2019.

The workshop will convene representatives of the ministries of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Interior of Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam, as well as experts from the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and the UNRCPD for four days of interactive scenario-based training. Based on the United Nations Modular Small Arms control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC), the workshop aims at supporting national efforts to combat the diversion and illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons through supporting the development and improvement of national action plans to effectively implement the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons.

The Training will also promote the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions; particularly target 16.4 to reduce illicit arms and ammunition flows, and target 17.9 to enhance support for implementing national plans in developing countries, also through south-south cooperation.

This Training is made possible with financial support from the Government of Germany.

For further information, please contact Yuriy Kryvonos, Director of the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, via e-mail at info@unrcpd.org.