DYB2011-Part-II-web

Conventional weapons issues
International Tracing Instrument to Enable States to Identify and
Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and
Light Weapons
It was agreed8 that the Open-ended Meeting of Governmental Experts
would seek to facilitate the exchange of views, experiences and lessons learned
among experts of all 193 Member States on the International Instrument to
Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit
Small Arms and Light Weapons, also known as the International Tracing
Instrument. 9 International and regional organizations, specialized agencies,
non-governmental organizations and civil society groups also participated.
The meeting was chaired by Jim McLay (New Zealand). Topics for
discussion were marking; record-keeping; cooperation in tracing; national
frameworks; regional cooperation; and international assistance and capacitybuilding.
During discussions, participants identified a number of challenges that
impeded the effective marking and tracing of weapons. These included the
development of weapons families with similar design features, which could
lead to an increased risk of misidentification; the trend towards modular
weapons design that allows routine exchange of major components, which is
a challenge for their effective marking; the falsification, alteration or erasure
of serial numbers and other markings; illicit trade in weapon components;
the need to regulate craft and artisan production of weapons; and a lack of
equipment, expertise and other capacity shortfalls related to marking and
record-keeping.
The participants identified a number of priority areas requiring assistance
and capacity-building. These included the continuous training of law
enforcement personnel in weapons identification; the acquisition of necessary
equipment, including marking machines; the strengthening of existing
legislation and the adoption of new legislation; and the transfer of relevant
and up-to-date technology for marking.
Furthermore, participants recognized that weapons marking, recordkeeping
and tracing were mutually reinforcing activities that should be an
integral part of national efforts to control SALW. They also noted the enabling
role that effective national frameworks, active regional and international
cooperation, and the provision of assistance and national capacity-building
play in supporting full implementation of the International Tracing Instrument
and relevant provisions of the Programme of Action.
8 General Assembly resolution 63/72, operative paragraph 13, or resolution 64/50, operative
paragraph 15.
9 A/60/88 and Corr.2, annex. Available from http://www.poa-iss.org/InternationalTracing/
InternationalTracing.aspx (accessed 2 June 2012).
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