Building Roadmaps for Harmonized PoA and ATT implementation

The UN Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation (UNSCAR) is funding a GRIP and Small Arms Survey (SAS) joint-venture to boost implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Combat, Prevent and Eradicate the Illicit Trafficking in Small arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (PoA) as well as of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

The goal of the project is to enable harmonization of national-level implementation of the PoA and ATT in eight selected African countries. Through the development of packaged PoA and ATT implementation strategies, referred to as ‘Roadmaps’, SAS and GRIP will assist each participating country in understanding how they can strengthen their commitment to effective implementation. The project covers arms stockpile management, weapons marking, record-keeping and tracing, as well as collecting and disposal of surplus arms. It also seeks to identify measures needed to fully implement commitments made under the ATT to regulate their trade in conventional arms – which in most of these countries are mainly small arms – and how such measures may add value to ongoing efforts to strengthen national capacities to effectively implement the PoA. The involvement of several regional organizations in this project further strengthens participating countries’ relations with these organizations in support of their national processes to regulate arms.

Timeframe: January 2015 - December 2016.

Additional information on the project: Cédric Poitevin.