Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico in the UNSC meeting
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico in the UNSC meeting

New York, 24 November 2021(TDI): The Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Marcelo Ebrard participated in the UN Security Council meeting on the impact of the diversion and trafficking of arms on peace and security.

Mexico convened the Security Council meeting during its presidency. The Mexican Representative, Ambassador Juan Ramon de la Fuente, was also present. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Ebrard, on the 22 of November called on all the world governments and private companies to implement means to avoid arm traffic.

Relaciones Exteriores (@SRE_mx) / Twitter
Mexico Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ebrard at the UN

Mexico holds the presidency of the security council and its Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ebrard was there to represent the country.

Consequences of the Arms trafficking

Ebrard stated that the illegal traffic of arms is a threat to peace, whether they are small or light. According to Ebrard, this practice has a profound negative impact on the citizens. There are several reasons, first destroys the social fabric, promotes violence, and generates massive migration of people that want to escape insecurity.

For instance, when an activity is illegal many cases of abuse can occur. Finally, it undermines peace and development. According to the Irish Mission to the UN, that small arms, account for a majority of deaths in conflicts. The arms also facilitate human rights abuses, and undermine peace and also development.

According to Ebrard notified that 500 people lost their lives and two thousand get injured due to this situation. In fact, in Latin America in particular, in the conflicting zones, death and violence by small weapons are common.

To respond to the causes of arms trafficking; Ebrard suggested that there should be weapons monitoring and tracing, high control in borders, and self-regulation of private companies.

Participation in the debate  

In total 54 members of the UN participated in the session, including the 15 members of the security council. Other entities were part of the meeting, such as the European Union representative at the UN. The Red Cross committee, as permanent observers, and other experts in the matter of Arms trafficking, were also present.

To conclude,  this debate on the impact of the diversion and trafficking of arms on peace and security led by  Mexico is proof that the international community is aware and cares for a world with less violence.