The illicit proliferation and misuse of weapons, including small arms and light weapons (SALW), and ammunition contributes to insecurity, armed conflict, and violence, and impedes sustainable development in many parts of the world, including in the African region.
The UN Secretary-General’s Policy Brief on A New Agenda for Peace encourages Member States to strengthen, develop and implement regional, sub-regional and national instruments and use a whole-of-government approach to address the threat posed by the diversion, proliferation, and misuse of SALW and ammunition in order to reduce armed conflict, violence, terrorism, and crime. Effective weapons and ammunition management (WAM) helps to achieve this goal, providing for national through-life oversight, accountability, and governance of such materiel.
This side event during the 4th Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (RevCon4) provides an opportunity to discuss the role of WAM baseline assessments in identifying and addressing gaps in national life-cycle management of conventional arms. It responds to the call in the 8thBiennial Meeting of States on the UN PoA to conduct “voluntary, nationally determined baseline assessments with a view to addressing needs in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.”
The discussion will highlight challenges and examples of progress across Africa for preventing the diversion, proliferation, and misuse of SALW, and risks posed by ammunition. It will also feature the launch of UNIDIR’s annual WAM in Africa insight.
Speakers
Welcoming Remarks:
- Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations
Panel Discussion
- Abayomi Adeomi: ECOWAS on regional approach to baseline assessment and priorities
- Dr. Paul Holtom: UNIDIR on strengthening frameworks and approaches to WAM
- Representative from a State that has conducted a WAM BA
- Representative from a State that has conducted a WAM BA
- Thomas Kontogeorgos, Representative of the United Nations Department of Peace Operations
Panel discussion moderated by a representative from the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.
*A light lunch will be offered on the right side of Vienna Café starting from 13h00.
Where & When
19 June 2024, 13h15 to 14h45 EST, Conference Room CR-B UNHQ, New York (in-person only)
Participants
UNIDIR encourages the participation of representatives and experts of States, regional organizations, UN, NGOs and academics registered to attend, or interested in issues related to, the RevCon4 of UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and the illicit trade in SALW in all its aspects and its International Tracing Instrument. UNIDIR will not provide support for participation for individuals that are not registered to attend.
Language
This event will be held in English. Please note that no interpretation into other UN languages will be provided.
For any additional information regarding the event, please contact Mr. Theo Bajon (theo.bajon@un.org).
In partnership with:
