Jorge: Good afternoon, everyone. I am Jorge from Ágora, and I am honored to present today's Side Event. Our focus will be on strengthening SDG 16 by exploring the nexus between illicit drugs and firearms trafficking. This event is convened by Ágora in collaboration with other partners, including UNODC and the Mexican government. We’re fortunate to have representation from UN OHCHR, and together we’ll dive into a critical discussion around these interlinked issues, recognizing the threats they pose to global peace and sustainability. As many of you know, the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs adopted a resolution in 2022, which called for stronger international cooperation to combat these dual threats. Today, we’ll explore innovative strategies to address this nexus, contributing to SDG 16 and other goals such as SDG 1, SDG 13, and SDG 15. Without further ado, let me introduce Mr. Mauricio Reza Bautista from the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations. Mr. Bautista, you have the floor.

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Mr. Mauricio Reza Bautista: Thank you, Jorge. Distinguished colleagues, it’s an honor to address you all at this important Side Event. The nexus between illicit drugs and firearms trafficking poses profound threats to global peace, security, and the achievement of SDG 16. In Mexico, combating arms trafficking is a top priority. Every year, roughly 200,000 firearms are trafficked into our country, fueling criminal organizations and undermining our rule of law. It’s crucial to remember, this isn’t just a Mexican issue. It’s a global one that destroys social fabrics and fosters violence against the most vulnerable.

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We need robust measures to reduce the availability of firearms. This means that manufacturers and distributors must adopt diligent measures to prevent weapons from being diverted to illicit markets. Governments and the private sector must collaborate to curtail the trafficking of arms and ammunition, ensuring that legally manufactured firearms do not end up in criminal hands. While we in Mexico remain committed to our obligations, our efforts will remain limited if countries and companies responsible for firearm production don’t assume their responsibilities. Finally, I would be remiss not to mention the failures of prohibitionist drug policies. The so-called War on Drugs has not succeeded. Instead, Mexico advocates for an integrated, evidence-based approach that addresses the root causes and centers the individual in policy-making. I look forward to today’s discussion. Thank you.

Jorge: Thank you, Mr. Bautista, for your insightful remarks. Next, I’d like to introduce Mr. Duarte from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to deliver the next opening remarks.

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Mr. Duarte: Thank you, Jorge. I’m honored to be here today, especially alongside my colleague from the Mission of Mexico. I want to start by pointing out that, in the short time I speak today, several people around the world will be killed with firearms. Firearms trafficking isn’t just a criminal issue—it’s a human rights issue. It undermines peace, security, and sustainable development, making it a direct assault on the right to security and even life itself.

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Firearms trafficking and drug trafficking are deeply intertwined, often feeding off each other. For example, organized crime networks that traffic drugs arm themselves with illicit firearms to enhance their capabilities. A recent report, published by UNODC in collaboration with the Flemish Peace Institute, provides critical insights into these dynamics. I recommend everyone take a look at it.

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There are key differences between drug and firearms trafficking. Most drugs are illicit from the start, while many firearms begin in legal markets before being diverted into illicit channels. Furthermore, firearms can be recycled and trafficked again, unlike drugs, which are consumable. These distinctions matter when we develop strategies to combat these two forms of trafficking.

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Governments, international organizations, and private sectors must work together to share information, trace illicit weapons, and dismantle the networks that allow these trades to thrive. Only by breaking down silos in our approach can we address both phenomena effectively. Thank you.

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Jorge: Thank you, Mr. Duarte, for shedding light on the complexities of firearms and drug trafficking. Our final speaker for the opening remarks is Mr. Rada from OHCHR. Mr. Rada, the floor is yours.

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Mr. Rio Hada: Thank you, Jorge. It’s a pleasure to join this important discussion. As others have mentioned, organized crime related to firearms and illicit drugs presents a significant obstacle to peace, development, and human rights. The toxic combination of illicit drug trafficking and firearms proliferation fuels violence, corruption, and instability. This violence takes a tremendous human toll, with approximately 250,000 homicides a year globally caused by firearms.

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We must rethink our approach to drug policy and firearms trafficking. The Human Rights Council has advocated for policies that move away from securitization and militarization toward human rights-based solutions. This includes decriminalization of drug use, regulation of drug markets, and stronger accountability mechanisms for firearms manufacturers. It also requires ensuring the meaningful engagement of victims and civil society in shaping these policies. Together, these steps can help us make real progress on SDG 16 and related targets. Thank you.

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Jorge: Thank you, Mr. Rada, for your valuable insights. Now that we’ve heard from all our opening speakers, we can transition to our panel discussion. Our first panelist is Carlos, a researcher at Saint Louis University. Carlos will present his recent publication. Please, Carlos, the floor is yours.

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Carlos: Thank you, Jorge. It’s a pleasure to be here today. I’m excited to share insights from the book I recently authored and coordinated, which explores the intersection of illicit drugs and firearms trafficking. One of the key takeaways from our research is the crucial role that arms play in the drug trade, particularly in maintaining power and control. Firearms allow criminal organizations to expand their operations, protect their territories, and enforce their illicit agreements. Unfortunately, much of the violence stemming from these activities disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities, especially in Latin America.

While my book is currently available only in Spanish, we are working on translating it to make this knowledge more accessible. This knowledge can aid policymakers in developing strategies that go beyond punitive measures and instead tackle the root causes of the violence fueled by these interconnected illicit markets. I’ll leave it there for now and look forward to engaging more during the discussion. Thank you.

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Jorge: Thank you, Carlos, for your presentation. Next, I would like to introduce Astrid, who will share research conducted in collaboration with the Flemish Peace Institute and UNODC on the nexus between firearms trafficking and drug trafficking. A, the floor is yours.

Astrid: Thank you very much, Jorge, and thanks to everyone for this opportunity to present our findings. As Carlos mentioned, firearms trafficking and drug trafficking are closely linked, and our research focuses on understanding these connections more deeply. One of the key observations we made is that drug profits often fund the acquisition of firearms, which are then used to protect territories, facilitate drug trafficking operations, and fuel violent confrontations between criminal groups.

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We also noticed that both trafficking routes and the actors involved often overlap. For instance, established drug trafficking routes are frequently used to smuggle firearms. The Balkan route, for example, serves as a key corridor for both drugs and firearms moving between Europe and Afghanistan.

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Another important finding is the role firearms play in escalating violence. In some regions, such as Mexico, the presence of firearms in the drug trade has led to unprecedented levels of violence. In Europe, we are also seeing increased firearm use in drug-related crimes, especially in the cocaine market. Our report dives into these dynamics and their impact on local communities, and I encourage anyone interested to review the full study. Thank you.

Jorge: Thank you, A, for those valuable insights into how firearms trafficking and drug trafficking reinforce each other. Now, I would like to introduce Wang, who will discuss her research on the intersection of climate change and drug policy. Wang, please take the floor.

Huang: Thank you, Jorge, and greetings to everyone. As a researcher, I believe that stopping stigma and discrimination while strengthening prevention efforts is key to addressing the world drug problem. However, we must also recognize that building an ecosystem for peace is a complex, interdisciplinary challenge. This means combining insights from law, behavioral science, and public health to come up with effective solutions.

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One important strategy that has emerged from our discussions with experts is promoting peacebuilding through community-based research and policy dialogues. For example, grassroots initiatives such as fireside talks in local communities can foster inclusive discussions and help bridge the gap between civil society and government stakeholders. At the same time, it’s essential to provide access to justice, which can be achieved through governmental efforts and initiatives like building databases to better understand local issues.

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Finally, I believe that researchers must play a crucial role as bridges between different sectors—government, civil society, and academia. By fostering dialogue and providing evidence-based insights, we can help policymakers and communities work together to achieve SDG 16 and tackle the global drug problem in a holistic manner. Thank you.

Jorge: Thank you, Wang, for bringing an interdisciplinary perspective into the conversation. Last but not least, I’m pleased to introduce Mr. Vázquez Mer, an associate professor and international consultant with over 17 years of experience in security and public policy. He will discuss the impact of firearms on organized crime, particularly drug trafficking. Mr. Vázquez, please take the floor.

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Mr. Guillermo Vázquez Mercado: Thank you, Jorge, and thanks to Ágora, UNODC, and the government of Mexico for organizing this critical event. I want to start by discussing how the availability of firearms has enabled transnational criminal organizations to grow, diversify, and expand their operations. Firearms allow these organizations to not only protect their drug shipments but also to extend their control into other illicit markets, such as extortion, human trafficking, and even natural resource exploitation.

The numbers are staggering. According to the 2023 World Homicide Report, nearly 70% of all homicides in Latin America are committed with firearms, making it one of the most violent regions in the world. Unfortunately, this violence disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations, particularly youth.

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To address these challenges, we need more robust mechanisms to reduce the flow of illicit firearms. International agreements such as the Arms Trade Treaty and the Firearms Protocol provide a framework, but disparities in legal frameworks, weak regulation, and insufficient oversight allow firearms to continue flowing into the hands of criminals. Additionally, the use of new technologies like 3D printing complicates the situation further.

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We must strengthen arsenals' management, improve training for law enforcement and customs officials, and enhance international cooperation to trace and disrupt illicit firearm flows. Only by addressing these structural challenges can we hope to reduce the violence fueled by firearms and drug trafficking. Thank you.

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Jorge: Thank you, Mr. Vázquez, for your detailed analysis. We’ve now heard from all of our panelists, and we have some time for questions from the audience. If anyone has a question, please feel free to raise your hand or type it into the chat.

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Jorge: Since we don’t seem to have any questions at the moment, let me summarize some of the key points we’ve discussed today. We’ve highlighted the profound human rights impacts caused by the intersection of illicit drugs and firearms trafficking. Our panelists shared successful policies and practices, including Mexico’s efforts, insights from A’s research, and strategies presented by Wang and Mr. Vázquez. We also emphasized the importance of fostering partnerships across sectors to address these complex challenges.

Before we conclude, I want to extend my gratitude to all of our distinguished speakers and participants. Your commitment and engagement are essential as we work together to achieve SDG 16 and tackle these critical issues. Thank you, and have a wonderful day.