At midway point: Caribbean States to review and renew efforts to curb gun violence through regional roadmap

Five years after pledging to stem the illegal flow of firearms within and throughout the region, Caribbean States and regional and international partners met in Trinidad and Tobago to assess progress achieved and agree on priorities for the next five years.

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

The meeting was attended by the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Joanna Kazana; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Jones, Executive
Director of the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime & Security (IMPACS); The Honourable Roger Alexander, Minister of Homeland Security and 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, organized 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 Canada, marked a significant milestone: the midpoint of the Roadmap’s implementation period. The meeting thus served as an inflection point for assessing progress, discussing persistent challenges, and reviewing recommendations emerging from the Mid-Term Review, which were presented at the meeting.

On 11 November, national focal points and monitoring and evaluation experts met to review technical progress and share 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.

Mid-Term Review: A Region at a Crossroads

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, a Mid-Term Review highlighted the 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. 

In an effort to consolidate and widely showcase the progress of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, UNLIREC has developed a virtual gallery featuring interactive rooms that highlight the joint work undertaken by States and implementing partners, visualizing five years of progress and implementation.

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 realize the shared visions of a safer Caribbean by 2030.

Background

The Caribbean Firearms Roadmap is a regional umbrella framework adopted by CARICOM States and the Dominican Republic in 2020, in which States committed themselves to implement concrete actions to combat illicit firearms trafficking and make the Caribbean a safer region. Sixteen countries in the region have formally adopted the Roadmap, with thirteen having developed National Action Plans, which tailor the Roadmap’s framework to their unique national contexts.

The Roadmap signifies a commitment by Caribbean States to implement sustainable solutions to prevent and combat armed violence and crimes that are aligned with international norms and the broader goal of promoting sustainable peace, security, and development across the Caribbean. 

About UNLIREC

The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) is one of three regional centres under the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Since its establishment in 1986, UNLIREC has worked to promote peace, security and disarmament throughout the region. 

For more information, please visit www.unlirec.org or contact:  melissa.yi@unlirec.org.