Mr. Chairman,
We fully endorse the working documents submitted by the Non-Aligned Movement entitled: "Full and Effective Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects: Strengthening International Cooperation and Assistance" and "Establishment of a Fellowship Programme of the United Nations on Small Arms and Light Weapons". We hope that both documents will be duly taken into consideration during this process.
Mr. Chairman,
Cuba believes that international cooperation and assistance under the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument are critical to ensure their full and effective implementation.
It must be recognized that despite progress, much still remains to be done to ensure the provision of international assistance and cooperation in adequate volumes, in a predictable, sustained and efficient manner, to address the needs of developing countries and to better enhance the implementation of the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument.
We urge this Review Conference to take concrete steps in order to promote and strengthen assistance and cooperation within the framework of the Programme of Action. These steps may include:
- the establishment of a fellowship programme of the United Nations on small arms and light weapons;
- increased preferential transfer of related technology and equipment to developing countries, upon request;
- increased training and capacity building;
- the creation of a voluntary trust fund of the United Nations for the mobilization of assistance to developing countries; and
- the establishment of a transparent mechanism to efficiently connect assistance offers with requests from Member States.
All this would contribute to effectively implement the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument.
Cuba also believes that the potential role of the UN Regional Centers for Peace and Disarmament in promoting international cooperation for the implementation of the Programme of Action, as well as in identifying and mobilizing resources to meet the assistance needs of States, should be further explored.
Mr. Chairman,
It is a reality that not all countries start off from the same economic, political, cultural and social position to address the problem of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. This has an impact on the regulations and procedures available to States for dealing with this scourge.
As we have expressed, we share the view that Governments bear the greatest responsibility in addressing this phenomenon; but at the same time, their efforts must be complemented by the necessary international cooperation and assistance, including financial and technical assistance.
Cuba reiterates that cooperation and assistance must be provided without conditions to ensure equal access for all States, without any kind of discriminatory treatment.
It is the States that determine whether they require assistance and cooperation for the implementation of the Programme of Action and, if so, what kind of assistance they would request. There can be no impositions of any kind or unique recipes. Particular national and regional characteristics should be duly taken into account.
Furthermore, the different possibilities of countries and regions should be considered in order to promote the adoption, as soon as possible, of initiatives and practical steps to encourage international cooperation and assistance.
Donor countries should provide more accurate and timely information with respect to the assistance and resources available. Recipient countries should exchange information on experience acquired.
Mr. Chairman,
Cuba continues to maintain robust and stable cooperation with the United Nations and the specialized agencies of the system in seeking out concrete strategies to address the problems of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.
Our country reaffirms its willingness to provide assistance and cooperation within or outside our region to requesting countries, in order to contribute to the creation of a comprehensive system of national measures for the control of firearms in the hands of non-State actors, especially in relation to the legal enforcement, marking, registration and control of small arms and light weapons.
Thank you very much