AG/RES. 1800 (XXXI-O/01): Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials

(Resolution adopted at the third plenary session, held on June 5, 2001)

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

HAVING SEEN:

The Annual Report of the Permanent Council (AG/doc.3970/01), in particular the section on the matters entrusted to the Committee on Hemispheric Security; and

The report of the Secretary General on the status of signatures and ratifications of the Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials (CP/doc.3430/01 corr. 1);

RECALLING:

Resolution AG/RES. 1 (XXIV-E/97), in which it resolved to adopt and open for signature the Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials; and

Resolutions AG/RES. 1621 (XXIX-O/99) and AG/RES. 1750 (XXX-O/00) on the matter;

WELCOMING the signature of the Convention by a majority of the member states of the Organization of American States and its entry into force on July 1, 1998;

STRESSING the urgent need for all states to take the appropriate measures and to cooperate with one another to prevent, combat, and eradicate the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, ammunition, explosives, and other related materials because of the harmful effects of these activities on the security of each state and the region as a whole, since they jeopardize the well-being of peoples, their social and economic development, and their right to live in peace;

UNDERSCORING:

The significance of the fact that the Convention has served as a model for negotiation of the protocol against the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components, and ammunition, which complements the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime; and

The importance of the Convention’s earliest possible entry into force in each of the member states of the Organization of American States; and taking note, in this context, of the report of the Secretary General (CP/doc.3430/01 corr. 1), presented in accordance with resolution AG/RES. 1750 (XXX-O/00); and

BEARING IN MIND:

That the Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials is in effect for 12 sovereign states of the region; and

The holding of the second regular meeting of the Consultative Committee on May 17 and 18, 2001, at OAS headquarters,

RESOLVES:

1. To urge all member states that have not already done so to sign and ratify the Convention, as appropriate.

2. To note with satisfaction the work program (CIFTA/CC-II/doc.12/01) adopted by the Consultative Committee at its second regular meeting, and to express its support for the work of the Secretariat pro tempore.

3. To request the General Secretariat to continue to provide, within the resources allocated in the program-budget and other resources, the administrative and secretariat support required for the Consultative Committee to perform its functions and to take the necessary steps to that end, in accordance with Article 8 of the Internal Rules of Procedure of the Consultative Committee and resolution AG/RES. 1645 (XXIX-O/99).

4. Further, to request the Secretary General to present a report to the General Assembly at its thirty-second regular session on the status of signatures and ratifications of the Convention.