Advancing the Firearms Protocol through Inclusive Dialogue:

by Ana Paula Oliveira, Associate Expert, Kennis

The fourth Constructive Dialogue on Firearms with relevant stakeholders, including civil society organizations, was held on 30 April 2025 at the Vienna International Centre, following the 12th meeting of the Working Group on Firearms on the 29 April 2025. This year’s discussions focused on two key themes: “The Contribution of the Firearms Protocol to Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding” and “Effective Criminal Justice Responses under the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) to Firearms-Related Offences.”

The Constructive Dialogue is a critical space for civil society organizations (CSOs) to contribute to the universalization and implementation of the Firearms Protocol. It allows CSOs to offer nuanced insights into the drivers of firearms demand, assess the human rights impacts of firearms-related crime and state responses, and amplify the voices of those most affected. It also helps strengthen the vital partnerships needed to achieve the Protocol’s broader goals.

Throughout the Constructive Dialogue on Firearms (30 April 2025) and the Multistakeholder Preparation Day (29 April 2025), Member States and civil society experts explored synergies across arms control frameworks, highlighting the role of arms monitoring, civil litigation, and artificial intelligence in combating illicit flows – including in a presentation by Emile LeBrun, Kennis Board Member, representing Tech 4 Tracing. Discussions also addressed the nexus between gender-based violence and post-conflict arms dynamics, and emphasized the importance of prevention, education, awareness-raising, and technology. Participants voiced concerns regarding the limited openness of the Working Group to civil society input and the lack of accessible data produced through the Review Mechanism.

In this context, the civil society declaration presented at the 12th Conference of Parties to the UNTOC by the Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice was a key reference point. It reflects shared priorities and offers a unified yet diverse CSO voice on how to advance implementation of the Firearms Protocol through inclusive, rights-based, and evidence-informed approaches.

Another key moment in the Dialogue was the presentation of the “building blocks” of a yet to be launched United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)’s strategy on illicit firearms. As reinforced by Kennis’ Executive Director, Anna Alvazzi del Frate, “the Strategy presents an opportunity to elevate the issue on the firearms issue in international agenda and enhance civil society engagement in arms control.” For Kennis, it provides a platform to work more closely with UNODC and Member States to embed impact monitoring frameworks, build partnerships across sectors, and promote community resilience through participatory, locally informed, and gender-responsive approaches.

Kennis Contributions to the Dialogue

Kennis actively participated in the Dialogue and shared a statement outlining three key priorities for enhancing civil society contributions to the implementation of the Firearms Protocol.

Second, building partnerships. Kennis underscored the role of civil society in convening cross-sectoral discussions and forging strategic partnerships to support implementation. Collaborative, multi-stakeholder approaches are key to aligning policy efforts, sharing expertise, and turning commitments into practical action — particularly as the new UNODC Strategy moves forward.

Third, embedding human rights and gender. In times of political and social tension, human rights must remain central to all responses to firearms-related crime. Civil society is often at the forefront of documenting the human rights impacts of such crime and related policies, including gender-specific and intersectional effects. CSOs play a vital role in building a more robust evidence base on how firearms flows and control measures affect diverse communities, particularly women, youth, and marginalized populations. Kennis called for stronger recognition of CSOs’ role in documenting the gendered impacts of firearms legislation — including through the Review Mechanism — and in ensuring gender-sensitive and victim-centered responses.

Looking Ahead

Despite the momentum created by the Dialogue, concerns remain about the future of UNTOC-related processes, particularly in the face of funding constraints and a broader trend toward securitized responses and reduced civic space. In this context, the role of civil society must not be underestimated. CSOs are essential to ensuring that firearms control efforts remain grounded in lived realities, informed by data, and aligned with human rights principles. As we face a global climate of democratic backsliding, erosion of international norms, and challenges to the rule of law, the Firearms Protocol continues to serve as a key pillar in the international arms control and disarmament architecture. The way forward demands stronger partnerships across instruments and regions — not only to protect what has already been achieved but to build on it. The Secretary-General’s 2023 New Agenda for Peace, the Pact for the Future (2024), and the forthcoming UNODC Strategy on Firearms all offer meaningful frameworks for this collective effort.