UNLIREC facilitates Roundtable on the Conformation of a national authority for Arms Trade Treaty implementation in Costa Rica

23/05/2016
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24/05/2016
Activity description

The main purpose of the two-day roundtable was to provide guidelines on the conformation of a national control authority responsible for arms transfers in compliance with the provisions found in the Arms Trade Treaty and provide examples of international standards and models from other States at both the regional and global levels. UNLIREC conducted the roundtable to widen the understanding of government officials from Costa Rica concerning the role and establishment of a competent national authority responsible for international arms transfers. This assistance is pursuant to the ATT obligation to put in place an "effective and transparent national control system" and is a follow-up to the ATT Implementation Course (ATT-IC) delivered by UNLIREC in October of 2014. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is leading national efforts towards the constitution of this authority. During the mission, UNLIREC also impulse a discussion on a proposal outlining the composition and main functions of the national authority. This proposal responds to the national context, needs and current legal framework and incorporates different governmental sectors into the decision-making process to authorize conventional arms transfers. This activity targeted 30 national authorities, from seven different institutions, in charge of conventional arms transfer controls.

Project description

UNLIREC assistance package in relation to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is based on the principles of collaboration and tailor-made delivery to match Member States' assistance requests. For that purpose, up to date, UNLIREC has developed the following tools, which are adapted to national contexts and interests: (i) the Arms Trade Treaty Implementation Course (ATT-IC) designed to promote comprehensive understanding of Treaty obligations to the relevant national authorities and effective implementation of the ATT at the national level in Latin America and the Caribbean; (ii) roundtables and practical studies to assist in the conformation and/or strengthening of national control authorities; and (iii) a module for transit and transshipment controls including best practices. Finally, as part of the institutional assistance package, UNLIREC continues to develop practical tools designed to respond to Member States concerns, including, but not limited to, mitigating the risk of diversion. This project has been made possible thanks to the financial support of Germany. Spain and Australia have provided complimentary financial support.

Type of Activity
Institutional capacity-building
Legal or legislative assistance
Focus of Activity
International instruments
Transfer controls
Partners
Costa Rica
Implementers
United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC)
Donors
Germany
Contact Details

United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean
Address: Complejo Javier Pérez de Cuellar Av. Pérez Aranibar 750 Magdalena del Mar – Lima 17, Perú
Phone: +51 1 6259114
Fax: +51 1 6259100
Email: information@unlirec.org
Website: http://unlirec.org/