Ministry of National Security Lauds Impact of Salient Jamaica

The Ministry of National Security is lauding the transformative impact of the Reducing Small Arms and Light Weapons Joint Programme, also known as SALIENT Jamaica.

The joint United Nations (UN) project, which was geared at reducing violence, the supply and proliferation of illicit firearms in Jamaica, officially closed at a ceremony on April 17, at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St. Andrew.

In an address marking the conclusion, Chief Technical Director, Security Risk Reform and Transformation Policy Division in the Ministry, Delroy Simpson, who delivered the remarks on behalf of Permanent Secretary Alison Stone Roofe, said the programme was a transformative step in the country’s ongoing battle against gun violence.

“This is a pivotal moment in our nation’s journey towards a safer and more secure Jamaica. Our partnership with SALIENT has been a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change,” he said.

Noting the devastating toll of gun violence since Independence, Mr. Simpson stated that 80 per cent of Jamaicans murdered since 1962 were killed with firearms.

The SALIENT Programme, funded by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and the UN Development Programme, and implemented with several UN agencies, was praised for its multifaceted impact.

“This programme is not to be seen as just another activity. It is a commitment to our children, our families and our future,” Mr. Simpson said.

Since implementation of the 39-month programme, the Ministry noted that there have been key achievements.

“We have seen significant strides and notable among these are the review of national legislation related to firearms, their parts and ammunition to counter the illicit trafficking of firearms, with recommendations to advance the development of a National Firearms Control Strategy,” Mr. Simpson said.

“We accomplished the review of the legislative framework governing explosives and the associated control systems, along with recommendations to support Jamaica’s efforts to ratify the Inter American Convention against the illicit manufacture of and trafficking in firearms, ammunition, explosives and other related materials,” he added.

Out of the SALIENT programme, Jamaica was also able to draft the National Schools Firearms Management and Response Protocol to address the issue of firearms in schools.

The programme also augmented efforts to keep at-risk youth meaningfully engaged in school and reduce the entry of firearms into schools through targeted educational interventions and resources.

“We now have enhanced capacity of law enforcement and border security officials in the detection and interdiction of firearms and ammunition at Jamaica’s ports of entry and completion of Jamaica’s first violence audits to inform evidence-based policies,” Mr. Simpson disclosed.

He extended heartfelt thanks to all stakeholders involved in the programme.

SALIENT Jamaica was jointly implemented by four UN entities over two phases between 2022 and 2025, in partnership with the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information.

The UN partners are United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA) and the Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC); United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).