The Small Arms Survey, INTERPOL, and WCO, in collaboration with the LAS Secretariat, hold the EU-LAS project’s (phase I) First Subregional Workshop in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
On 2-6 February 2020, the Small Arms Survey, INTERPOL, and WCO, in collaboration with the LAS Secretariat, held the EU-LAS project’s (phase I) First Subregional Workshop in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates).The First Subregional Workshop allowed LAS Member States situated in Asia to share experiences and good practices, and identify implementation priorities, in areas relating to the project.
The EU-LAS project In Support of Combating the Illicit Trade in and Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Member States of the League of Arab States was launched in 2019 with the aim of supporting the Member States of the League of Arab States (LAS) in sustainably building their national capacities to combat the illicit trade in, and proliferation of, small arms and light weapons in their region. The European Union (EU) funds the project and entrusts its implementation to the Small Arms Survey (project coordinator), INTERPOL, and the World Customs Organization (WCO), working in collaboration with the LAS Department of Arms Control and Disarmament (focal point for LAS Member States). The project responds to the needs and priorities identified by LAS Member States within the framework of the EU-LAS Strategic Dialogue, specifically its Working Group on Weapons of Mass Destruction, Small Arms and Light Weapons, and Arms Control. The project covers the following priority areas in arms control: combating illicit arms flows; capacity-building for law enforcement agencies; stockpile management and security; disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR); and the provision of information relevant to illicit SALW and enhanced SALW control. The first phase of the project was implemented for a two-year period from 2019 to 2021, and is now followed by a second phase lasting until September 2024.