With the 2008 and 2021 GGE paving the way, we now have GA Resolution 76/233 establishing this OEWG to elaborate on a set of political commitments as a new global framework that address existing gaps in through-life ammunition management, including international cooperation and assistance to support a safe, secure and sustainable through life management of conventional ammunitions.

As this OEWG is the first of its kind, the Philippines highlights the following points:

1. On safety and security risks - Diverted ammunition provides a deadly oxygen to armed violence and conflicts around the world. At the same time, ineffective management of ammunition stockpiles can result in disastrous accidental explosions that cut thousands of lives and destroy livelihood and communities. It is imperative that we give this “orphan” a comprehensive framework to support the safe, secure and sustainable through-life management of conventional ammunitions.
2. On Through-life ammunition management (TLAM) – We note that safety risks occur throughout the life of ammunitions and such risks are not only present in national stockpile, and therefore cannot be mitigated through stockpile-specific measures alone. From the perspective of security, potential for ammunition diversion can happen along a chain of transaction extending throughout the life of ammunition. TLAM also takes into account the inter-dependence of security measures along the supply chain, which means that a measure taken at one point in the supply chain (e.g. pre-transfer risk assessment) has the potential to diminish security risks (e.g. stockpile diversion) further along the chain. Therefore, we believe that a comprehensive TLAM approach is the most logical and practical step forward to address problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus. Furthermore, to be sustainable, TLAM requires national ownership, regional cooperation, and international cooperation and assistance.
3. On international cooperation and assistance – States with the most severe ammunition management problems are often those least equipped in identifying and addressing them. International cooperation and assistance is needed to enable such States to identify and address problems related to conventional ammunitions. However, assistance must not be hinged on conditionalities. It should be needs-based and with tailored operationalization of standards, guidelines, best practices, taking into account existing mechanisms, and to the extent possible, build upon it.
4. On risk prevention and mitigation – At present, unplanned explosion and diversion are likely only discovered by “trigger events”, for example, a news of explosion or discovery of illicit ammunitions in the possession of criminals and terrorists. By the time of discovery, the harm, intended or otherwise, is already fait accompli. In this regard, we support the need for surveillance measures, regular audit ammunition safety measures, full investigation of ammunition incidents, including unplanned explosions, and refine or develop risk mitigation measures accordingly.
5. On exercise of due diligence (“know-your-client” or KYC) – States can complement primary role of export licensing authorities in conducting diversion risk assessment by encouraging ammunition producers to exercise due diligence in verifying the identities of customers and other parties of the supply chain.
6. On the existing challenges to ammunitions management, we note the following: (a) the limited traceability of small caliber ammunitions; (b) lack of technical training and information processing systems required to identify, record, and analyze ammunition accurately and systematically; and (c) weak regional coordination regarding monitoring and information-sharing on illicit ammunition flows (cross-border trafficking), including international information-sharing platforms. To achieve impactful results, these key challenges need to be addressed in our comprehensive framework on conventional ammunitions management.
7. On gender – as gender champions, in considering ammunition management throughout its life cycle, we support the use of gender analysis, to identify relevant entry points for gender mainstreaming.

Madame Chair,

The mismanagement of ammunitions threatens national, regional, and international security, thereby fueling conflict and violent crime and undermining peace. These are serious threats to global, regional, and national security, and negatively impacts peace and development.

Madame Chair,

We hope that this OEWG successfully yields or at least bring us closer to a comprehensive framework enjoying universal support to address existing gaps in the through-life management of conventional ammunitions.

Thank you, Madame Chair.