Division 1.2.2 Activities

Activities to be supported in the implementation of tasks referred to under Phase 2 will include:

1. (a)

   two seminars (one in Africa and one in China) on ‘Promoting accountability and responsibility with regard to the arms trade and preventing the diversion of arms and ammunition to unauthorised and destabilising actors in Africa’ to be held under the aegis of the EWG, whose members will assist Saferworld and will also participate in the events;

2. (b)

   production and dissemination of a briefing paper on ‘Combating the proliferation of illicit arms and ammunition in Africa: Recommendations to FOCAC’, in advance of the 2021 FOCAC summit;

3. (c)

   production and dissemination of a briefing paper in English and Chinese on ‘Proliferation of illicit arms and ammunition in Africa: what can supplier states do to mitigate the risk of diversion?’;

4. (d)

   three field research visits by the EWG each lasting ten days in three selected African countries to address issues related to the proliferation and uncontrolled circulation of illicit arms and ammunition (including the complexity of diversion processes from authorised transfers or holdings; and problematic trans-border phenomena, such as cattle rustling, that are nurtured by the proliferation of illicit arms and ammunition);

5. (e)

   production of three research papers (in Chinese, English and French) by the EWG on the field research, with recommendations on practical actions required to address illicit arms and ammunition, with a special focus on the role of arms suppliers in Africa, China and the Union in reducing the risk of diversion;

6. (f)

   around 20 bilateral meetings with African, Chinese and Member States' officials to share and effectively communicate the EWG recommendations, build awareness and political traction for cooperative projects at the official level;

7. (g)

   production and dissemination of one research report (in Chinese, English and French) on illicit arms and ammunition proliferation in Africa, which will assess the effectiveness of current actions and will include recommendations for actionable projects that will help to better tackle illicit arms and ammunition, thus reducing their harmful impact, and contributing to improved national, regional and international peace and security. The report will include a special focus on the role of arms suppliers in Africa, China and the Union in reducing the risk of diversion of arms in Africa;

8. (h)

   conduct one closing seminar in China to communicate the recommendations from the research and dialogue process and demonstrate the benefits of cooperation among Africa, China, the Union and the Member States and participation in joint activities, as well as establishing processes to sustain the dialogue in the future.