United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and Pacific Hosts Capacity-Building Workshop on Small Arms Control, 25-26 November

NEW YORK, 24 November (Office for Disarmament Affairs) — The Government of the Philippines and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, with the financial support of the Government of Germany, are jointly organizing a workshop on capacity-building for the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, to be held in Manila, 25-26 November.

The workshop aims at assisting and enhancing the capacity of the national agencies to effectively implement the United Nations Programme of Action.  Adopted in 2001, the Programme of Action has proven a useful tool to counter the illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons.

A cadre of up to 40 Government officials will gather with international experts and the Centre’s representatives to share best practices on technical and legal issues relating to small arms and light weapons control, and to discuss ways towards the development of a National Action Plan for small arms and light weapons control.

During the workshop, international experts will provide practical recommendations on how to strengthen national legislation and regulations, as well as operational standards and procedures necessary for effective small arms and light weapons control.  Through presentations and round-table discussions, national practitioners will learn about existing effective practices and the International Small Arms Control Standards which provide practical guidance on putting in place effective national controls over the full lifecycle of small arms and light weapons — from manufacture and marking, through international transfer and storage, to collection and destruction — thereby helping to prevent illicit small arms and light weapons flows.  The workshop will also provide an opportunity to identify steps to improve the national management of small arms and light weapons stockpiles and available mechanisms for assistance.

For further information, please contact Yuriy Kryvonos, Interim Director of the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, at e-mail:  info@unrcpd.org.