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UNODC Organises Dialogue on Firearms

1/5/2023

Applications to the Constructive Dialogues on Firearms and/or Technical Assistance are now open!

The first two Constructive Dialogues in 2023, on the review process of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and the Protocols thereto will take place in a hybrid format following the conclusion of the Working Group on Firearms on 5 May and following the conclusion of the Working Group of Government Experts on Technical Assistance on 31 May in Vienna, Austria and online.  


Dear IAP Members,

We are pleased to inform you that the first two Constructive Dialogues in 2023, on the review process of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and the Protocols thereto will take place in a hybrid format following the conclusion of the Working Group on Firearms on 5 May and following the conclusion of the Working Group of Government Experts on Technical Assistance on 31 May in Vienna, Austria and online, as outlined below.  

The Procedures and rules for the functioning of the Mechanism for the Review of the Implementation of UNTOC and the Protocols thereto, which the Conference of the Parties to UNTOC adopted through Resolution 9/1, set out in paragraph 53 that Constructive Dialogues with relevant stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations, should be convened as a regular practice following the conclusion of the sessions of the working groups and the adoption of the reports. Other relevant stakeholders, including representatives of the private sector and academia, may also apply to participate.

Key dates and deadlines 

  • Constructive Dialogue on Firearms: 5 May 2023
  • Constructive Dialogue on Technical Assistance: 31 May 2023
  • Deadline for applications: 12 February 2023 midnight Vienna, Austria time. 
  • Application form: Please complete this form to apply.

Objectives of the Constructive Dialogue:  

  • Briefing participants on the developments and outcomes of the review process. 
  • Collecting input and suggestions from participants, including their contributions on ways to improve the implementation of the Convention and the Protocols thereto.  
  • Cooperating with non-governmental organizations to combat transnational organized crime and to promote and review the implementation of the Convention and Protocols thereto, in accordance with article 32, paragraph 3 (c), of the Convention. 

Who can apply? 

  • Representatives of relevant non-governmental stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations (with and without ECOSOC status), academia and the private sector.  

Note: NGOs with consultative status with ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council) are also required to apply.

Please find more information on the Constructive Dialogues here and find the report of the Constructive Dialogue on Firearms 2022 here and the report of the Constructive Dialogue on Technical Assistance 2022 here.

Non-governmental stakeholders are recommended to apply to the most relevant Constructive Dialogue in line with their area of work upon receipt of this call, even if their participation is not yet certain, as there will not be a possibility to apply at a later stage. Stakeholders may apply to participate in more than one Constructive Dialogue. All applications will be reviewed and be subject to approval by the States parties to UNTOC and its Protocols. Maximum efforts will be made to ensure diversity of gender and geographical representation of stakeholders at each Constructive Dialogue.  

Participants wishing to attend in-person shall bear all related costs. Please note that UNODC has limited resources to support the participation of grassroots organizations and victim-led / victim-focused organizations which will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Should your organization require support to participate, please complete the section on ‘travel support’ in the registration form. 

Note: Please note that the Call for Participation for the Constructive Dialogues on International Cooperation (13 September), Trafficking in Persons (4 October) and Smuggling of Migrants (9 October) will be launched separately in March 2023.

Should you have any questions please contact us at unodc-se4u@un.org.