arab regional disarmament symposium agrees that no state on its own

 

can fight problem of small arms, light weapons

(Reissued as received.)

ALGIERS/NEW YORK, 21 April (Department for Disarmament Affairs) -- Eighty-eight participants from 18 Arab States, several African and European countries, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Russian Federation and Japan, representatives of regional organizations and of civil society gathered for an intensive two-day regional symposium on the implementation by Arab States of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in All Its Aspects from 11 to 13 April in Algiers (see press release DC/2951).  The Symposium was organized by the United Nations Department for Disarmament Affairs and hosted by the Government of Algeria.

The Arab Region has been heavily affected by flows and accumulations of small arms as a result of past and present conflicts.  The region is actively committed to implementing the Programme of Action adopted by the 2001 United Nations Conference.  Member States of the League of Arab States are taking national measures, adopting relevant laws and regulations, and contributing to regional discussions at the political and technical or expert level.

In welcoming the participants, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Algeria, Abdelaziz Belkhadem, strongly emphasized that the fight against illicit small arms was the responsibility of all states.  He acknowledged that the dismantling of organized crime networks and international terrorism could not be achieved without regional and international cooperation. United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, Nobuyasu Abe, stressed that awareness of the problem of illicit small arms and light weapons had grown since the adoption of the Programme of Action and that Member States had started taking action.  However, the Programme of Action should be considered as a starting point and not an end result of the international combat against the scourge of illicit small arms.

Discussions reaffirmed the multidimensional nature of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and the adverse impact of the trade on regional security.  Participants agreed that no state could fight the problem alone, regardless of its capacity or the number of national measures in place.  Participants also recognized the role of civil society in the implementation of the Programme of Action. 

The dimensions of regional as well as trans-border cooperation were raised and the positive value of partnership and synergies was highlighted as a way to increase the effectiveness of State action in this field. The Chair of the Open-Ended Working Group on Marking and Tracing Illicit Small Arms reviewed progress in the negotiations and called upon States to support his efforts for agreement of an effective instrument.  It was also noted that a consensus was developing with regards to several issues related to illicit brokering, with a view to establishing a Group of Governmental Experts in 2006 or 2007. 

All participants welcomed the contribution of the Regional Symposium to the efforts currently under way in the Arab region.  They also appreciated the stimulus it provided for the preparation of the forthcoming 2005 Biennial Meeting of States, as well as of the 2006 International Conference to review the Programme of Action.

For further information, please, contact Agnès Marcaillou, Chief, Regional Disarmament Branch, DDA, tel.:  212 963-3768.

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