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The official handing over of the Digital Firearms Registration Management System to the Firearms Ammunition And Control Board took place this morning with an objective to ensure responsible governance of firearms and ammunition in Belize. The system was designed to produce modern, transparent and accountable data.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
"This system will allow for real time tracking and audibility of fire arms throughout their entire life cycle. From importation to eventual decommissioning ensuring a clear and transparent chain of custody it will also facilitate and improve data shifting among enforcement agencies and licensing authorities strengthening coordination and operational efficiency. By providing accurate and timely information the system will support evidence based decision making by policy makers. Most importantly it will help to build and sustain public trust in the integrity of Belize's firearm governance processes. Let me be clear, Belize is not acting in isolation. Our participation in regional forums including our collaboration with CARICOM the OAS and our bilateral partners such as the United States demonstrates our deep commitment to regional integration, collective security and the fight against the illicit proliferation of arms."

The initiative first began in January when the Ministry Of Home Affairs reached out to them for assistance to address critical gaps in Belize firearms control regulatory framework

Callixtus Joseph, Assistant Director CARICOM IMPACS
"In response, our team at CARICOM IMPACS in collaboration with the Mines Advisory Group and with the generous support of the United States government rapidly mobilised technological, operational, and strategic resources. Within days consultations were held and by March a comprehensive support package was mobilised and today just over three months later we have transitioned from request to delivery and we celebrate the delivery of a fully operated solution. This rapid turnover is a testament to the efficiency, the agility and effectiveness of our culmination. The maturity of our partnerships and the urgency in which CARICOM IMPACS approach the issue of arms control. It also underscores the ministry of home affairs and the firearms and ammunition control board national readiness the foresight of its leadership and the government's strong commitment to effective and enduring arms control outcomes."

But the work doesn't stop there the minister went on to discuss what their next venture will be in improving the work of the firearms ammunition and control board

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
"We will soon enhance this system further with the acquisition of a firearm marking machine. I am looking forward to that, we were destroying them the other day and now we will mark them. And the deployment of the SAM inventory control system as guided by the OAS these upgrades will support traceability and enhance stockpile management and bring us into full compliance with global best practices."

The US Embassy also supported the initiative.