PH Best Practices in Strategic Trade Highlighted at Working Group Meetings on Arms Trade Treaty Implementation

OIC-Assistant Director Domina Pia Salazar of DTI-STMO shares the Philippines’ best practices on reporting as part of the country’s compliance with its obligations to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) during the last day of the Working Group meetings of the State Parties to the ATT. (Geneva PM photo)

GENEVA 28 FEBRUARY 2024 – The Philippines, led by the Department of Trade and Industry – Strategic Trade Management Office (DTI-STMO) and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the UN and Other International Organizations in Geneva, showcased the country’s experience and best practices in ensuring the effective implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) at the Working Group Meetings of State Parties to the ATT held in Geneva, Switzerland on 20-23 February 2024.

OIC – Assistant Director Domina Pia Salazar of the DTI-STMO shared the Philippines’ whole-of-government approach to prevent illicit arms transfer, which entails the involvement and close coordination between and among relevant government agencies in the country. Ms. Salazar highlighted the interagency mechanisms that the Philippines has established to effectively implement the ATT. These include inter- agency licensing review for the export and import applications of strategic goods, as necessary, and based on the risk rating of the specific transaction, outreach, trade facilitation, enforcement, and reporting procedures.

The importance of transparency and good practices in reporting to build trust and confidence among states in preventing the proliferation and diversion of illicit arms were also underscored in the meetings. The Philippines emphasized DTI-STMO’s proactive steps in establishing an e-licensing platform, which functions as a comprehensive one-stop-shop for strategic trade matters, encompassing the application and assessment of authorizations or licenses. Additionally, it serves as a platform for inter-agency information sharing and streamlines the reporting process, in line with the country’s whole-of-government approach, ensuring compliance with various nonproliferation treaties, including the ATT.

Prior to the Philippines becoming a State Party to the ATT in 2022, the country had already enacted its Strategic Trade Management Act in November 2015. The Act established DTI-STMO, which is the Philippine government agency responsible for the issuance of import and export permits for conventional weapons. DTI-STMO works hand in hand with the Philippine National Police’s Firearms and Explosives Office in enforcing the country’s obligations to the Arms Trade Treaty. The Philippines ratified the Arms Trade Treaty on 24 March 2022, and came into force on 22 June 2022. END

For more information, visit https://www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHinGeneva/ or https://www.instagram.com/phingeneva/.