Armed violence has intensified in many parts of Africa and other regions, driven by the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and rising violence by armed groups. West Africa is a case in point. In response, at the Fourth Review Conference of the Programme of Action on SALW (PoA) in 2024, States committed to integrating SALW control into prevention frameworks, taking into account the root causes of violence. The Pact for the Future and the African Union’s Silencing the Guns initiative also call for more preventive approaches to SALW and armed violence.
Joined-up responses tackling both the root causes of violence and the illicit supply of weapons can help prevent armed violence more sustainably. A 2026 study by UNIDIR, the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa, and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs mapped good practices of such joined-up approaches in West Africa. While a resource for that region, these practical insights can also help practitioners and policymakers advance integrated approaches in other regions in Africa and beyond, as well as at the global level.
Departing from West African insights, this interactive side event fostered exchange on how effective practices of integrated approaches to armed violence prevention and SALW control concretely implement – and could feed back into – policy commitments under the PoA, Pact for the Future and Silencing the Guns. It also explored how other regions may benefit from and complement West African experiences.
Event recording
Speakers
Welcome remarks
- H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Fathi Ahmed EDREES, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations
- Salem Matug, Senior Political Affairs Officer, Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations
Opening remarks
- Oliver Hoehne, Deputy Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations.
Discussion panel
- Nakmak Douti, Senior expert Security Sector Governance, Togo
- Jean Pierre Betindji, Executive Secretary, Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons
- Ecoma Alaga, West Africa Team Leader / Senior Political Affairs Officer, UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
Moderated by Diane Sheinberg, Senior Political Affairs Officer, Regional Disarmament, Information and Outreach Branch, UN Office for Disarmament Affairs.
Closing remarks
- Dr Paul Holtom, Head Conventional Weapons Programme, UN Institute for Disarmament Research
When and where
Thursday, 4 June 2026 | 13:15 – 14:45 EST | UNHQ Conference Room 6 (behind Vienna Café) and online.
Further information
For any questions, please contact Ursign Hofmann at ursign.hofmann@un.org.
In partnership with
