Madame Chair, excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
At the outset, I would like to congratulate you, Ambassador Chan, on your election as Chair of this very important process, as well as the election of the Members of the bureau. I assure you of the Philippines’ strong support in both our national capacity, and my capacity as Vice Chair of the Bureau.
We also thank you for circulating a list of guiding questions to delve into deeper and meaningful conversation this week.
We take careful note of the opening remarks of Under-Secretary General and High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu especially on the importance of integrated and comprehensive approaches to combatting illicit small arms and light weapons that address both supply and demand factors and the linkages between small arms control and sustainable development.
Madame Chair, as we all know, the proliferation of illegally sourced small arms and light weapons leads to violence, aids terrorism and transnational organized crime, hinders sustainable development, and diminishes respect for human rights.
The Philippine recognizes that illicit trade in small arms and light weapons is a major impediment to peace and security as well as to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We therefore recognize the importance of national reports in assessing progress made in the implementation of the PoA, particularly progress in data collection efforts under indicator 16.4.2 of the 2030 Agenda for SDGs, building confidence and promoting transparency and identifying needs and opportunities for international cooperation and assistance.
The Philippines is of the view that States should report on the national efforts and regularity of these efforts every BMS. To demonstrate: manufacturing, storage, transfer, possession, use, maintenance, disposal - in all these ‘stages’ of the through-life of a weapon, states should report on its national efforts, where applicable, for each stage of the through-life cycle of SALW. We stress the value of every effort at every stage of the life cycle of SALW as this is crucial in our global effort to prevent diversion, resale/retransfer, and misuse/abuse, and ending the life-cycle of a weapon. States should report on its national efforts at every stage to prevent illicit trafficking at various stages – as part of sharing effective national practices.
Regular disposal should also be encouraged, it is as important as an effective physical security and stockpile management (PSSM) to prevent diversion of stockpile.
Efforts of states in through-life cycle are at different stages, depending on their place in the eco-system. Thus, each state’s effort might not necessarily be the same as with everyone, but every effort made by Members States can contribute to our global collective effort, and others, upon knowledge of existing national efforts, can cooperate within that specific effort.
However, Madame Chair, we see those national efforts alone in combatting illicit small arms and light weapons is not enough. We are of the view that regional approach on the issue is of equal importance. The Philippines fully supports and prioritizes the implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on Combatting Arms Smuggling and complementary efforts such as the Regional Roadmap on Weapons Regulation.
The Regional Roadmap presents an informal platform for states to share and engage with their neighbors to address the common challenges and work on shared objectives. Regional roadmaps can be an indicator of success of the PoA, as it clearly outlines regional priorities that contributes directly to addressing proliferation and reducing misuse and abuse of small arms and light weapons. These regional initiatives should be supported through cooperation mechanisms such as the UN Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation (UNSCAR). We see value in considering this regional approach in the upcoming Fourth Review Conference.
Madame Chair, gender mainstreaming is also another Philippine priority in this process. We fully support the need for the equal, full, and effective participation of women, including in leadership roles, and as agents of change in all fields of arms control and disarmament.
Madame Chair, respecting the set time limit, we intend to answer your 5th guiding question in our next intervention later this afternoon.
Thank you, Madame Chair.