AG/RES. 1621 (XXIX-O/99)

INTER-AMERICAN CONVENTION AGAINST THE ILLICIT MANUFACTURING OF AND TRAFFICKING IN FIREARMS, AMMUNITION, EXPLOSIVES, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIALS

(Resolution adopted at the first plenary session, held on June 7, 1999)

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

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;

WELCOMING the fact that the majority of member states of the Organization of American States have signed the Convention, which entered into force on July 1, 1998;

REAFFIRMING its determination 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;

STRESSING the urgent need for all states to take the appropriate measures to prevent, combat, and eradicate the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, ammunition, explosives, and other related materials and to cooperate with one another in this area;

UNDERSCORING the importance of the Convention’s earliest possible entry into force in each of the member states of the Organization of American States as soon as possible; and

RECALLING that, under Article XXI of the Convention, the first regular meeting of the Consultative Committee shall be held within 90 days following deposit of the 10th instrument of ratification of the Convention; and emphasizing in this connection the importance of allowing the Consultative Committee to begin its work as envisaged in the Convention,

RESOLVES:

1. To urge all states that have not already done so to sign and/or ratify the Convention without delay.

2. To underscore the significance of the fact that the Convention has been taken as a model for negotiation of a Protocol to combat the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components, and ammunition within the framework of the negotiation of a convention against organized international crime, under the auspices of the United Nations.

3. To request the Secretary General to take the necessary steps to convene the first meeting of the Consultative Committee, pursuant to Article XXI of the Convention, as soon as he receives the 10th instrument of ratification.

4. To likewise request the Secretary General to present a report to the General Assembly at its thirtieth regular session on the status of signatures and ratifications of the Convention.