EXPERT GROUP, APPOINTED BY SECRETARY-GENERAL, MEETS AT HEADQUARTERS, 15-19 MAY, TO STUDY WAYS OF CURBING LIGHT-WEAPONS TRADE
Press Release
DC/2709
EXPERT GROUP, APPOINTED BY SECRETARY-GENERAL, MEETS AT HEADQUARTERS, 15-19 MAY, TO STUDY WAYS OF CURBING LIGHT-WEAPONS TRADE
20000512NEW YORK, 12 May (Department of Disarmament Affairs) -- The first session of the Group of Governmental Experts appointed by the Secretary-General, to carry out a study on the feasibility of restricting the manufacture and trade of small arms and light weapons to the manufacturers and dealers authorized by States, will take place from 15 to 19 May 2000, at United Nations Headquarters in New York, in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 54/54 V of 15 December 1999, entitled Small Arms.
That same resolution requested the Secretary-General to carry out this study in order to assist in preventing the illicit trafficking in, and illicit circulation of, small arms and light weapons. It further requested the Secretary-General to submit the study as one of the background documents for the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, to be held in 2001.
The General Assembly also indicated that the study would cover the brokering activities, particularly illicit activities, relating to small arms and light weapons, including transportation agents and financial transactions.
The Group, composed of 20 governmental experts, will be chaired by Peggy Mason of Canada, Adviser on Small Arms and Light Weapons, at the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
The following countries will be represented: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Egypt, France, India, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Russian Federation, South Africa, United Kingdom, and United States.
The Group is scheduled to hold another two sessions in New York, from 10 to 14 July 2000, and from 12 to 16 February 2001.
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