Disarmament in Review
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) successfully concluded a two-month project to strengthen the national capacity of the Philippines to control transfers of small arms and light weapons (SALW), including other conventional arms, and to prevent their illicit trade and diversion.
Developed at the request of the Government of the Philippines, the project was implemented between January and March 2017. It provided the Government with technical and legal assistance to facilitate the implementation of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, as well as to support its ability to ratify the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).
In January 2017, a technical and a legal expert, as well as representatives of UNRCPD, conducted an initial assessment in Manila. The experts, in discussions with Government representatives involved in conventional arms control, assessed and identified legal and technical assistance needs.
On the basis of this needs assessment, the experts carried out desk reviews and prepared recommendations on strengthening laws, regulations, rules and administrative instructions, as well as technical procedures and practices, including standard operating procedures. These recommendations aim to ensure that the national controls related to international transfers, as well as to the physical security and stockpile management, marking and destruction of arms, conform to international standards.
At a final visit, in March 2017, the legal and technical experts presented their assessment and review outcomes in the form of recommendations,
and engaged in discussions on these with Government representatives. Based on the experts’ findings, the Government and UNRCPD will coordinate to consider further assistance most relevant for the Philippines.
The project was implemented with financial support from the United Nations Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation (UNSCAR).
