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

June 8, 2016

Consideration of the implementation of the international instrument to enable states to identify and trace, in a timely and reliable manner, illicit small arms and light weapons, including recent development in small arms and light weapons technology and their implications for the International Tracing Instrument.

Mr. Chair,

I would firstly like to reiterate the contribution made by the Firearms Protocol and its provisions in implementing the International Tracing Instrument, which makes it necessary to study the existing differences and the links that can be drawn between both instruments, as stated in paragraph 61.

On the other hand, I would like to point out the impact of new technologies on the manufacture of small arms  and light weapons, as well as their marking, traceability and legislative responses to this scenario. In this regard, as discussed last year at the Second Meeting of Governmental Experts (MGE 2), these new developments have a different impact on States.
In some cases, where there are difficulties in terms of capacities and resources, the negative impact is notoriously greater. This differential should be taken into account when evaluating responses and making recommendations.

Argentina believes that, with a view to the next Review Conference of the Program of Action in 2018, the analysis and approach of this trend should be deepened in order to better understand the challenges it represents.

Thank you Mr. Chair.