KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Houses of Parliament will this week host an inter-parliamentary conference aimed at combating the illegal weapons trade in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Conference is being held June 25-26, 2015, at the Jamaica Pegasus, New Kingston, under the theme “Enhance ATT and UNPoA Implementation by South-South Parliamentary Exchange and Cooperation” and will see participation from parliamentarians from Latin America and the Caribbean.

The conference has been organised by the Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and will discuss the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and the 2001 United Nations Programme of Action (UNPOA) to combat, prevent and eradicate the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects.

These are considered complimentary and mutually reinforcing initiatives, aimed at stopping the uncontrolled proliferation of arms.

Jamaica ratified the Arms Trade Treaty, in June 2014.

At the end of the conference, participants are expected to affirm a declaration of their commitment to the provisions of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) to ensure the comprehensive implementation of the UNPoA.

Balford Henry