Statement by Dra. Natalia Gambaro, Directora Ejecutiva de la Agencia Nacional de Materiales Controlados (ANMAC, ex RENAR)

June 6, 2016

Consideration of the implementation of the programme of action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects, art the national level, at the regional level –including through regional and subregional arrangements and organizations – and at the global level, and in the light of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Mr. Chair,

First, let me express on behalf of the Argentine Republic my congratulations on your appointment as President of this Sixth Biennial Meeting, and thank you for the proactive and transparent manner in which you have conducted the informal consultations, while assuring you that you have the full cooperation of  the Argentine Delegation.

Argentina considers that the Program of Action is a fundamental tool for identifying the tasks that Member States must carry out, at the national, regional and global levels, in tackling the problem of illicit trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons. The biennial meetings are the mechanisms indicated to carry out this task, we therefore welcome the initiative to carry out this review in the light of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development since beyond the technical aspects the illicit trafficking of arms, have devastating consequences to our societies and directly attack the sustainable development of our peoples.

Mr. Chair,

We believe that the presentation of the National Reports, although voluntary (Argentina did it last week), is an important tool when analyzing the implementation of the UNPoA and evaluating its operation. We therefore welcome any proposals for analysis of the reports that will identify challenges and opportunities for the implementation of UNPoA at the next Review Conference as well as to indicate elements of cooperation and assistance as proposed in Paragraph 35 of the draft Final Document.

On the other hand, we consider it appropriate to take into account the complementarities that may arise when implementing other subregional, regional and global instruments as proposed in paragraph 29.

The entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty in December 2014 has provided the international community with a valuable instrument that regulates international transfers of conventional arms and contributes to combating illicit trafficking and diversion. The Delegation of Argentina wishes to see reflected in the final document a reference to that instrument and its relevance in relation to the implementation of UNPoA.

The Program of Action, together with the International Instrument for Localization (ITI), the Firearms Protocol and the Arms Trade Treaty form a legal framework for control with many complementarities and commonalities that need to be examined in depth for a better implementation, at the national level.

At the subregional level, within the framework of the MERCOSUR Firearms and Ammunitions Working Group, Member States address UNPoA provisions and share national experiences, coordinate policies and seek to respond effectively to illicit trafficking. The last meeting took place the week of May 27 in Uruguay and a working document will be circulated with its conclusions.

Mr. Chair,

At the national level, and I will only refer to the most novel aspects of our national report, in order to exercise effective control over international trade in firearms, special use materials, parts and ammunitions, new positive regulations were adopted in April of this year concerning the commercial import, export and international transit of such controlled material, including and perfecting documentation of export licenses, end user certificates as well as requirements for the transit of arms. Likewise, last February, regulations for the creation of a "Mechanism for the Preservation of Protected Places of Controlled Materials" were adopted, as well as a System for the Integral Management of Controlled Materials, in line with what is proposed in paragraphs 30 and 31.

The Delegation of Argentina will make further comments on the specific issues presented in this section of the document.

Thank you Mr. Chair