Stressing Sustainable, Peaceful Future Requires Addressing Threat of Small Arms, Light Weapons, Under-Secretary-General Urges Review Conference to Be Bold, Forward-Looking

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks, as delivered by Under-Secretary-General Izumi Nakamitsu, to the Fourth Conference to Review Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects, in New York today: 

Welcome to the Fourth Review Conference of the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

This Conference arrives at a difficult and dangerous moment for humanity.  Global military expenditures are on the rise.  And countries, regions and communities across the globe are suffering.  New and protracted conflicts are placing millions of people in the line of fire.

Small arms and light weapons play a major role in these conflicts.  There is nothing “small” or “light” about the damage these weapons cause.  Small arms are the leading cause of violent deaths globally and are the weapon of choice in nearly half of all global homicides.

They aggravate crime, displacement and terrorism.  From conflict zones to homes, they are used to threaten and perpetrate sexual and gender-based violence.  They block vital humanitarian aid from reaching the most vulnerable.  They put the lives of United Nations peacekeeping forces and civilian personnel at risk.

And the situation is growing worse, as new developments in the manufacturing, technology and design of small arms — such as 3D printing — make their illegal production and trafficking easier than ever before.

The New Agenda for Peace recognizes the vital importance of small arms control in preventing conflict and sustaining peace.  The Agenda makes a number of recommendations to strengthen national, regional and global arms control efforts on both the supply and demand side.  This includes national action plans and targets to tackle this scourge within countries — such as through prevention initiatives.  The Agenda also calls for regional efforts across borders to stem the flow and trafficking of small arms and light weapons.

And Sustainable Development Goal 16 — to build just, peaceful and inclusive societies — includes specific targets to reduce arms flows. Central to this work is the Programme of Action on Small Arms and its International Tracing Instrument.

This Fourth Review Conference is a critical opportunity to ensure that these instruments continue to adapt to changing circumstances.  Those who are bearing the brunt of illicit small arms, particularly women and young people, must also have a voice in the discussions.  Your agenda points the way.

We need bold and action-oriented recommendations that can strengthen this framework — particularly around new and emerging technologies, weapons-diversion, gender and international cooperation and assistance.

Your work at this Review Conference will also help inform the Summit of the Future in September, where global leaders will gather around new, multilateral solutions that can shape a better, more peaceful future for all.

A peaceful and sustainable future depends on addressing the threat of small arms and light weapons.  I urge you to seize the opportunity of this Review Conference.  Be bold.  Be forward-looking.  The people of the world, and the peace of our world, are counting on you.