United Nations Conference on the

Illicit Trade in Small Arms

4^th Meeting (PM)

DELEGATES URGE EFFORTS TO REACH CONSENSUS ON STRATEGY

AGAINST PROLIFERATION OF SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS

Work Begins on Consideration of Draft Programme of Action

Delegations this afternoon expressed their commitment to work towards a consensus on a comprehensive strategy to eradicate what was described as one of the greatest threats to global peace and human security, as the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects began consideration of its draft programme of action.

The two-week Conference, scheduled to end on 20 July, was convened to address the increasing threat to human security from the spread of small arms and light weapons and their illegal trade, under the terms of General Assembly resolution 54/54 V of 15 December 1999.  It was expected that delegations would complete their work with the adoption of a Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.

It was noted that the text, as it stood, was balanced and represented a sound basis for negotiations.  The Conference should adopt well defined measures at the national, regional and international levels to combat the illicit trade and not merely describe the problems faced, speakers stated.

The programme of action, said Belgium's representative, speaking on behalf of the European Union, should be considered as the beginning of an "ever-evolving process" to address the problem of illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.

While some delegations expressed readiness to begin negotiations on legally binding measures, others stressed that such a process should not be begun until the scope and implications of such measures could be examined.

Several delegations said it was important that the text recognize the central role of governments.  In addition, the need to mobilize financial and technical resources to effectively combat the illicit trade must be highlighted.  Increased transparency and better information exchange, noted Norway's representative, would lead to better government control.

The representative of Canada considered the problem of small arms and light weapons as an integral part of conflict prevention, peacekeeping and post-conflict

resolutions.  As such, the programme of action, as stated by several speakers, should be more explicit on the issue of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration.

Sustained follow-up and international review of progress was supported by many delegations, as was the crucial role of non-governmental organizations and other members of civil society.

Also addressing the Conference this afternoon were the representatives of Japan, Jordan (on behalf of the Arab Group), United States, Colombia, Cuba, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Viet Nam, Mali and Nepal, as well as the observer for the Holy See.

The Conference will resume at 9 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, 11 July) to continue its general exchange of views.

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