UN Global Firearms Programme

While firearms parts & components make up only 5% of all seizures, the figure is higher in Africa & parts of Asia due to artisanal production. The manufacture of #guns in parts is also seen in Europe due to the strict limitations on legal purchases. More bit.ly/4kMpVro

Illicit firearms sometimes serve as currency to finance terrorist activities & as a source of income for criminals. UNODC & experts from 5 Central Asian Countries met in Türkiye to enhance cooperation & share experiences to better tackle #FirearmsTrafficking & related threats.

As part of our work against #IllicitFirearms, UNODC is strengthening tracing, data collection & coordinated responses. In Belize, we hosted a workshop to support the development of Integrated Firearms Centres, bringing together national authorities & key partners like @CImpacs.

▪️Violent extremist & terrorist groups often acquire their weapons from illegal arms dealers. ▪️Firearms trafficking is also used to finance #terrorism.

We donated drones to Belize to boost surveillance and crack down on #IllicitFirearms. Technology is key to securing our borders and protecting our communities, said Sharole Carr, CEO of the country's Ministry of Home Affairs.

▪️Firearms trafficking ▪️Human trafficking ▪️Terrorism What ties these crimes together? Join us tomorrow for an in-depth discussion on the links between these global threats and how to combat them. Register here: bit.ly/ICATRegister

Investigating & prosecuting #FirearmsTrafficking – and its links to organized crime – is the focus of a specialized UNODC training this week in Islamabad 🇵🇰 Officials from law enforcement, customs, the judiciary & @ForeignOfficePk are taking part. Supported by 🇩🇪@GermanyDiplo

Last week, our team trained police dog units at airports and harbours in Trinidad and Tobago to detect #IllicitFirearms. "This isn't just training – it's a turning point in our country's security," said Videsh Maharaj, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of National Security.

The availability of illicit weapons fuels organized crime, drug trafficking & gang violence, compromizing security & undermining development. UNODC is supporting law enforcement & judicial officials in the Dominican Republic to better tackle #FirearmsTrafficking.

▪️Pistols make up over 50% of seized firearms in the Americas ▪️Shotguns are the most common type in Africa & Asia ▪️Rifles are the dominant type in Oceania ▪️In Europe, pistols, rifles & shotguns are seized in similar quantities Global trafficking trends: bit.ly/4kMpVro

🔟 years of the Nelson Mandela Rules 1️⃣5️⃣ years of the Bangkok Rules This #MandelaDay, explore 10 powerful stories from prisons around the world, showing how reform can change lives. 📖 Read them now: unodc.org/unodc/frontpag…

10 years ago the #MandelaRules were adopted, setting a global standard for the humane treatment of prisoners. As custodian of the rules, @UNODC works to bring Mandela’s legacy to life in 50+ countries, to ensure dignity & humanity for all prisoners. #PrisonersMatter #MandelaDay

🆕 New data reveals the global prison population reached 11.7 million in 2023. On #MandelaDay, learn why #PrisonersMatter and go behind the data. Here are 5 key findings and the full report:

The @UN Firearms Protocol guides global efforts to combat the unlawful production & trafficking of #firearms. It's the only legally binding international instrument criminalizing these actions. The Protocol: bit.ly/44ENihT Stay tuned for more on the illegal arms trade!

The misuse of trafficked #weapons undermines security, social stability & progress toward sustainable development. This month, we brought together 5 Central Asian countries in Istanbul to enhance their knowledge of firearms trafficking & its links to organized crime & terrorism.

🔹Main types of firearms & ammunition 🔹Weapons mechanics 🔹Arms accessories – silencers & gunsights 🔹Marking & tracing of firearms These are the topics Romanian & Moldovan officers explored last week in Bucharest with UNODC’s help, to better tackle the illegal weapons trade.

The illicit arms trade is often linked to terrorism, drug trafficking & other forms of organized crime, posing a serious threat to peace, security & development. This July, our team was in Istanbul to help countries in Central Asia counter #FirearmsTrafficking & related crimes.

Firearms are usually manufactured for legal markets by licensed producers. But they can be diverted to the illicit sphere by criminals at any point during their life cycle. As durable commodities, #firearms can be easily reused, resold & trafficked. Follow us to learn more!

This week, we brought together more than 20 prosecutors & investigators from Burkina Faso🇧🇫, Mali🇲🇱 and Niger🇳🇪 in Ouagadougou to exchange information on firearms trafficking & their links to #terrorism.

Did you know? In Europe, 12% of all homicides involve firearms. This week, our team is in Bucharest training police & customs officers from Moldova & Romania to better identify & classify #firearms, their parts & ammunition – critical skills to fight the illicit weapon trade.