QUITO, 29 June (Office for Disarmament Affairs) — Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru have taken an important step towards a coordinated regional strategy to curb illicit arms, ammunition and explosives trafficking — one of the key drivers of violence and insecurity across the Andean region.
Meeting in Quito on 17-18 June, representatives from the four member countries of the Andean Community held the first in-person workshop of National Contact Points responsible for developing the Andean Roadmap to Prevent and Combat the Illicit Trafficking of Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives. The initiative is supported by the Organization of American States; the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs; and the General Secretariat of the Andean Community, with financial support from the European Union. Strengthening cooperation against transnational organized crime is a priority for the Andean Community under Decision 922. Through this mechanism, member countries promote joint actions to address threats that undermine the security and stability of the subregion.
Illicit trafficking in firearms, ammunition and explosives is a transnational issue that undermines citizen security and contributes to various forms of armed violence. As illicit flows move across borders, Andean countries recognize the need for coordinated responses, stronger institutions and sustained regional cooperation.
The Andean Roadmap draws on lessons from similar regional frameworks—including the Western Balkans small arms and light weapons Control Roadmap, the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap and the Central American and Dominican Republic Roadmap — which have shown how shared priorities can be translated into national action and more effective institutional responses. Since early 2026, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru have been working together through a participatory process involving national institutions responsible for arms control, criminal investigation, justice and violence prevention. In February, the four countries designated National Contact Points tasked with coordinating the process, facilitating dialogue among relevant institutions at the national level and serving as the main liaison with the international organizations supporting the development of the Roadmap.
During the two-day workshop, participants presented national assessments, exchanged perspectives on emerging threats and identified shared priorities. Through interactive discussions, they began outlining the vision, mission and strategic pillars that will guide the Roadmap. The process reflects a whole-of-government approach, recognizing that effective responses require cooperation not only from law enforcement but also from justice institutions, education sectors, prevention programmes and other actors addressing the drivers and impacts of armed violence. The workshop also underscored the value of regional dialogue. By sharing national experiences and identifying common challenges, the four countries are building a collective agenda to strengthen cooperation and promote more coherent and effective responses. The outcomes of the meeting will inform the first draft of the Andean Roadmap. The process will continue with rounds of national and subregional consultations before moving towards political validation and adoption.
While illicit arms, ammunition and explosives trafficking transcends national borders, the solutions can also be shared. Through cooperation, dialogue and a common vision, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are laying the groundwork for a safer region and reaffirming the importance of collective action to address one of the drivers of violence affecting communities across the Andean subregion.
For media inquiries, please contact Maria Lucia Correa, Communications, United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, email: correa@unlirec.org.