Constructive Dialogue on Firearms 2025
Day 1: Multistakeholder Preparation Day – 29 April 2025
On Tuesday, 29 April 2025, the UNODC Civil Society Unit convened a Multistakeholder Preparation Day in advance of the Constructive Dialogue on Firearms, held under the framework of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). The session brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including civil society organisations, government representatives, and international bodies to exchange perspectives and strengthen partnerships in addressing firearms trafficking.
Representing the Centre for Human Rights (CFHR), Sevim Saadat participated in a panel discussion focusing on civil society engagement in the implementation of UNTOC and its Review Mechanism. The discussion centred around practical experiences of engagement through Voluntary Pilot Initiatives, National Civil Society Alliances, and Regional Networks.
Sevim presented Pakistan’s Civil Society Alliance (CSA) — a national network working on Transnational Organized Crime — as well as the Asia Regional Civil Society Alliance. Both initiatives are designed to promote inclusive, coordinated, and sustained civil society contributions to the effective implementation of the UNTOC and its Protocols. Sevim highlighted CFHR’s facilitative role in these alliances, sharing insights on how collaborative multi-stakeholder efforts are enhancing responses to firearms trafficking and related organised crime in Pakistan and across the region.
Day 2: Civil Society Interventions – 30 April 2025
On the second day, the Civil Society Alliance – Pakistan presented six key recommendations addressing critical dimensions of firearms trafficking. These included:
- Corruption and its enabling role
- Regulation of convertible firearms
- Border security enhancements
- Inclusion of youth and vulnerable communities in response strategies
- Use of technology and counter-narratives
- Intersectionality between illicit firearms and other forms of organised crime
In alignment with the agenda for the day, the CSA delivered three focused interventions:
1. Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement for Effective Implementation
The CSA emphasised the importance of active involvement by a wide range of stakeholders — including civil society, technical experts, private sector actors, women, youth, and survivors — in implementing and advancing the universalisation of the Firearms Protocol. The exclusion of these voices has led to ineffective legislative and policy frameworks. Civil society must continue to facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement at national and regional levels, ensuring inclusive dialogue and co-development of firearm-related laws and policies.
2. Gender and Youth Mainstreaming in Firearms Policy
Civil society plays a vital role in incorporating gender- and age-sensitive approaches to firearms control. The CSA underscored the need for community-level risk assessments that account for the varied experiences of men, women, and youth in relation to firearms trafficking. Collaborative work with governments, law enforcement, and the private sector is essential to integrate these perspectives into national strategies and response mechanisms.
3. Technology, Youth Leadership, and Narrative Shaping
Recognising the dual role of technology as both a facilitator of organised crime and a tool for prevention, the CSA called for youth-led technological solutions to firearms trafficking. This includes developing national and regional awareness campaigns, leveraging social media, and supporting digital innovations that counter the use of online platforms for illicit activity. Cultivating youth leadership in this space is critical to developing sustainable, future-ready interventions.
The Constructive Dialogue on Firearms 2025 provided an important platform for civil society to share experiences, elevate grassroots perspectives, and advocate for inclusive and evidence-based policy development. CFHR remains committed to advancing collaborative, rights-based, and contextually informed strategies to combat firearms trafficking and transnational organised crime.
Day 1: Multistakeholder Preparation Day – 29 April 2025
On Tuesday, 29 April 2025, the UNODC Civil Society Unit convened a Multistakeholder Preparation Day in advance of the Constructive Dialogue on Firearms, held under the framework of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). The session brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including civil society organisations, government representatives, and international bodies to exchange perspectives and strengthen partnerships in addressing firearms trafficking.
Representing the Centre for Human Rights (CFHR), Sevim Saadat participated in a panel discussion focusing on civil society engagement in the implementation of UNTOC and its Review Mechanism. The discussion centred around practical experiences of engagement through Voluntary Pilot Initiatives, National Civil Society Alliances, and Regional Networks.
Sevim presented Pakistan’s Civil Society Alliance (CSA) — a national network working on Transnational Organized Crime — as well as the Asia Regional Civil Society Alliance. Both initiatives are designed to promote inclusive, coordinated, and sustained civil society contributions to the effective implementation of the UNTOC and its Protocols. Sevim highlighted CFHR’s facilitative role in these alliances, sharing insights on how collaborative multi-stakeholder efforts are enhancing responses to firearms trafficking and related organised crime in Pakistan and across the region.
Day 2: Civil Society Interventions – 30 April 2025
On the second day, the Civil Society Alliance – Pakistan presented six key recommendations addressing critical dimensions of firearms trafficking. These included:
- Corruption and its enabling role
- Regulation of convertible firearms
- Border security enhancements
- Inclusion of youth and vulnerable communities in response strategies
- Use of technology and counter-narratives
- Intersectionality between illicit firearms and other forms of organised crime
In alignment with the agenda for the day, the CSA delivered three focused interventions:
1. Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement for Effective Implementation
The CSA emphasised the importance of active involvement by a wide range of stakeholders — including civil society, technical experts, private sector actors, women, youth, and survivors — in implementing and advancing the universalisation of the Firearms Protocol. The exclusion of these voices has led to ineffective legislative and policy frameworks. Civil society must continue to facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement at national and regional levels, ensuring inclusive dialogue and co-development of firearm-related laws and policies.
2. Gender and Youth Mainstreaming in Firearms Policy
Civil society plays a vital role in incorporating gender- and age-sensitive approaches to firearms control. The CSA underscored the need for community-level risk assessments that account for the varied experiences of men, women, and youth in relation to firearms trafficking. Collaborative work with governments, law enforcement, and the private sector is essential to integrate these perspectives into national strategies and response mechanisms.
3. Technology, Youth Leadership, and Narrative Shaping
Recognising the dual role of technology as both a facilitator of organised crime and a tool for prevention, the CSA called for youth-led technological solutions to firearms trafficking. This includes developing national and regional awareness campaigns, leveraging social media, and supporting digital innovations that counter the use of online platforms for illicit activity. Cultivating youth leadership in this space is critical to developing sustainable, future-ready interventions.
The Constructive Dialogue on Firearms 2025 provided an important platform for civil society to share experiences, elevate grassroots perspectives, and advocate for inclusive and evidence-based policy development. CFHR remains committed to advancing collaborative, rights-based, and contextually informed strategies to combat firearms trafficking and transnational organised crime.
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