The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) jointly organized a Workshop on “Building Capacity in Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Control through the United Nations Programme of Action and the Arms Trade Treaty” during 9 – 10 March 2016 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

         The Workshop, with voluntary funding from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, was attended by representatives from relevant government agencies responsible for preventing and tackling SALW related issues such as the Office of the National Security Council, the Royal Thai Police, Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Justice. Participants were given highly useful information and insights by several distinguished panelists from the United Nations and other international non-governmental organisations on wide ranging topics, from an overview of SALW-related international agreements to effective reporting techniques in line with international regulations on SALW. They also engaged in discussion and exchanged views on boosting Thailand’s efforts in the control of SALW and combating its illicit trade as well as Thailand’s preparations towards ratifying the Arms Trade Treaty.

         Thailand has continuously supported international efforts in preventing and eradicating transnational illicit transfer of SALW under the framework of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN PoA). Not only has Thailand promoted the enhancement of regional cooperation on the matter but also reported its progress of implementation to the United Nations on a regular basis. This Workshop on SALW control helped build up the capacity of relevant government officials to work continuously towards improving Thailand’s implementation of the UN PoA which will contribute to the maintenance of peace and security at the national and regional levels.