Division 2.1 Implementing Agency – the Organization of American States (OAS)

The OAS plays a pivotal role in the regional framework to prevent the illicit proliferation of small arms, light weapons, ammunition and explosives in Latin American and the Caribbean. In 1997, the region became the first in the world to adopt a regional instrument for the control of these weapons with the signing of the CIFTA. By providing the Technical Secretariat for the CIFTA, the OAS holds a unique position in coordination of efforts across the Western Hemisphere that seek to combat the uncontrolled spread of illicit small arms, light weapons and munitions as a necessary step for enhancing citizen security and reducing armed violence. In this role, the OAS-DPS has implemented projects and programs to support OAS Member States in fulfilling their obligations to ensure the security of national firearms stockpiles, to implement legislative measures to establish the illicit manufacturing and trafficking of firearms as criminal offenses under domestic law, to require firearms marking, and to exchange information with other CIFTA signatories with respect to tracing information and patterns of illicit trafficking. Since 2007, OAS projects supported by international donors have provided training, technical assistance and equipment to 29 countries in the region, resulting in the marking of nearly 300 000 firearms, destruction of another 65 000 excess or confiscated guns, and elimination of over 1 700 tons of excess, expired or unsafe munitions. No other regional or subregional organisation covering all of the Americas has the political influence, technical expertise or geographical reach to be able to support and assist all 35 American states.

(Cuba remains the only inactive OAS Member State, and its future status is subject to a process of dialogue that could be initiated at the request of the Government of Cuba, and in accordance with the practices, purposes, and principles of the OAS).

In addition, the OAS-DPS has been entrusted by the OAS Member States the responsibility to draft a Hemispheric Plan of Action to prevent and reduce homicides. One of the plan's objectives is to reduce the availability of and access to arms. Two of DPS's instruments to implement the plan are the Inter-American Program and Network for the Prevention of Violence and Crime. The prevention component of this project will be implemented following the Program and Network guidelines, youth leadership, consideration of the three levels of prevention, based on scientific evidence, inter-sectoral coordination, social participation through community empowerment, encouragement of international cooperation, promotion of a culture of peace, and gender and human rights perspectives.