Disarmament

In Myanmar, the conflict now spans vast swathes of the country. More than 350,000 people are displaced in Rakhine. The 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan seeks $994 million to support 5.3 million people in the country, but it is currently just 3 per cent funded.

The Security Council met this morning to discuss the situation in Syria. Briefing the Council was Adedeji Ebo, Director and Deputy to the High Representative, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.

NAIROBI, 1 March (Office for Disarmament Affairs) — Nairobi is set to host a pivotal gathering of Eastern and Southern African countries to review progress made and set priorities for preventing, combating and eradicating the scourge of illicit small arms and light weapons. The Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Fourth Review Conference on the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN PoA) and its International Tracing Instrument is set to take place from 4 to 5 March 2024.

Lomé is set to host a pivotal gathering of West and Central African countries to review progress made and to set priorities for tackling illicit small arms and light weapons. The Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Fourth Review Conference on the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN PoA) and its International Tracing Instrument is set to take place from 29 February to 1 March.

In October 2023, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs called on young people between the ages of 18 and 24 from across the globe to apply for an innovative learning programme aimed at empowering them to work for disarmament in their communities.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, observed on 5 March:

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva today:

Kathmandu is set to host a pivotal gathering of Asia-Pacific countries to tackle the spectre of illicit small arms. The Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Fourth Review Conference on the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN PoA) and its International Tracing Instrument is set to take place from 23 to 25 January.

Consultations on Syria’s chemical programme have taken place between the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the Government of Syria, but Damascus’ further cooperation is needed to resolve outstanding issues as gaps and discrepancies persist, the Security Council heard today.

Following the fifth launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, on 18 December, Security Council members today called for de-escalation, political dialogue and diplomatic solutions for the Korean Peninsula, and a restoration of unity among the 15-nation Council.