Technologies used to design, manufacture and control small arms and light weapons (SALW) have evolved significantly since the adoption of the 2001 United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects (PoA) and the 2005 International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (ITI).
In response, the Fourth Review Conference of the PoA in 2024 established an Open-Ended Technical Expert Group (OETEG). This report aims to introduce national representatives to the four primary issues under the OETEG’s mandate:
- Polymer frames and receivers
- Modular SALW
- 3D printing of SALW
- Technology to counter diversion of SALW
The report summarizes the current state of knowledge, building on a series of webinars convened between October 2025 and February 2026, background research, and interviews with experts from international organizations, governments, academia, civil society and industry.
It explains each of the four issues, detailing the challenges they pose, outlining approaches to addressing them and highlighting key considerations for the OETEG.
Citation: Ruben Nicolin, Paula Soumaya Domit, Sunniva Selmer Reinertsen and Matilde Vecchioni. Technological Developments in Small Arms: Implications for International Arms Control Instruments. Geneva: UNIDIR, 2026. https://doi.org/10.37559/CWP/26/ASC/05