As part of Mexico's foreign policy efforts to curb illicit arms trafficking, Mexico chaired the eighth meeting of the Working Group on Firearms created under the U.N. Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). The meeting was held in a hybrid format in Vienna, from May 10-12.
Mexico was able to advance agreements between all UN members to arrive at over 50 recommendations to prevent, investigate and penalize various types of arms and ammunition trafficking and diversions.
The meeting marked the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition (Firearms Protocol), which complements the UNTOC. The group called on all UN members to sign and ratify the Convention, as well as for its full application.
The working group discussed the new issues, routes, strategies and technologies related to arms trafficking, and its links with illicit financial flows and other types of crimes. The participants stressed the need for a preventive approach and the importance of counteracting the tragic consequences of firearms, which lead to increased violence and homicides, empower criminal organizations, weaken the social fabric and negatively impact people's opportunities for development.
Mexico proposed strengthening synergies between the various international commitments and instruments that address this challenge; enhancing the mechanisms for the prevention of cross-border trafficking; and advancing Target 16.4 of the 2030 Agenda to significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows. It also proposed promoting a gender perspective and a focus on the most vulnerable sectors of society when facing this global challenge.
Luis Javier Campuzano, Mexico's ambassador in Austria, presided over the group. He reaffirmed Mexico’s commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation to find effective responses for combating illicit arms and ammunition trafficking, especially against the adverse backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.