High-level representatives from the 15 CARICOM Member States and the Dominican Republic convened in Trinidad and Tobago from 11 - 12 November 2025, for the Fifth Annual Meeting of States of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap (Roadmap), a decade-long strategy to curb the illicit proliferation of firearms and ammunition by 2030.

The meeting was attended by the Ms. Joanna Kazana,United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator; Lt. Col. Michael Jones, Executive Director, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS); high-level government representatives of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as members of the international community and the diplomatic corps accredited to Trinidad and Tobago.

The 2025 Annual Meeting of States, organised by Roadmap co-custodians, CARICOM IMPACS and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), in collaboration with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and with funding from the Government of Canada, marked a significant milestone at this year’s Meeting: the midpoint of the Roadmap’s implementation period. The meeting therefore served as an inflection point for assessing progress, discussing persistent challenges and reviewing recommendations emerging from the Mid-Term Review, which was presented at the Meeting.

On 11 November, national focal points and monitoring and evaluation met to review technical progress and shared experiences in implementing and reporting on the Roadmap. On 12 November, a high-level ministerial segment took place, dedicated to reviewing the findings and recommendations of the Mid-Term Review of the Roadmap, reaffirming political commitment and underscoring the urgency of accelerating implementation efforts.

Illicit firearms and ammunition continue to drive high levels of homicides and crime across many Caribbean countries, posing significant threats to public safety and human security. The resulting violence also hinders wider socioeconomic development, negatively affects public health systems, discourages investment and weakens business growth.

Midway through the Roadmap’s implementation, the Mid-Term Review highlighted significant progress. Thirteen States have developed National Action Plans (NAPs) to combat illicit firearms trafficking, aligning the Roadmap’s strategic priorities with their national contexts, reflecting strong national-level commitment.The Mid-Term Review, which was presented at the Meeting of States, highlighted improvements in firearm legislation, enhanced law-enforcement capacity and stronger regional intelligence coordination.

However, the Review also pointed to persistent and uneven challenges. While some countries have made notable strides, others continue to experience rising levels of armed violence. Limited funding, political transitions and inconsistent data reporting have hindered implementation efforts. Moreover, the Roadmap must strengthen its integration with broader national and regional security and violence prevention strategies. It should also promote more inclusive participation, particularly of women, youth and community leaders, with a view to addressing armed violence in a holistic and sustainable manner, beyond the narrow lens of security.

Across the Caribbean, gun violence remains one of the Region’s most persistent public-safety challenges. Yet, despite these disparities, the overall trajectory is encouraging. Most countries are moving in the right direction, having demonstrated commitment and progress in implementing the Roadmap over the past five years. However, levels of gun violence remain unacceptably high, underscoring the urgency of sustained and coordinated action. The Roadmap continues to be a relevant strategy to guide national and regional efforts, but its implementation must be accelerated to realise the shared visions of a safer Caribbean by 2030.

As a result of the Fifth Annual Meeting of States of the Roadmap, high-level representatives and Ministers adopted a shared declaration outlining the achievements, lessons learned, and priorities for the next phase of the Roadmap.

Read the full Communiqué here: https://www.unlirec.org/wp-content/uploads/Communique_CFRM_AMS_2025.vf_clean.pdf