disarmament WORKSHOP ON small arms, light weapons for Beijing, 19 to 21 april

NEW YORK, 15 April (Department for Disarmament Affairs) -– A United Nations workshop on small arms and light weapons will be held in Beijing, China, from 19 to 21 April 2005.  Organized by the Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific of the Department for Disarmament Affairs, the meeting is hosted by China with generous support from Japan and Switzerland.

Eighty participants, mostly from the Asia-Pacific region, are to attend, including government representatives and officials from the related international organizations.

With a special focus on Central Asia and South-East Asia, the participants will identify the major problems and challenges in combating illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, and explore ways to better implement the Programme of Action at the national level.  They will also discuss ongoing regional cooperation and multilateral efforts in this field and consider how to promote them.

For further information, contact:  Tsutomu Ishiguri, Director, Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, tel:  (917) 367 4130, fax:  (212) 963 1121. 

* *** *