From 18-21 November, UNIDIR and the Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA) brought together the National Focal Point Coordinators on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and key stakeholders in Nairobi, Kenya. This meeting served as a platform to assess progress, identify gaps and align the Nairobi Protocol with emerging global threats, evolving challenges, and regional security realities towards renewing commitment to SALW management and control.
Millions of illicit small arms and light weapons are used in armed conflict, terrorist and criminal activities across Eastern, Central, Great Lakes Region, and Horn of Africa countries. Addressing the sources of supply for illicit arms and ammunition, and their drivers of demand, is therefore vital to reducing human suffering.
National Focal Point Coordinators on SALW met to review the implementation of the Nairobi Protocol for the Prevention, Control and Reduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons, considering amendments and updates to its best-practice implementation guidelines. This was followed by a stakeholders’ conference attended by representatives from government of RECSA Member States, regional organizations, civil society organizations, international partners, and UN agencies. Both meetings highlighted SALW control progress, persistent challenges and threats, new and emerging opportunities relating to new technologies, climate-induced conflicts and evolving transnational crime and terrorism dynamics.
The event represented a significant milestone for the joint UNIDIR-RECSA project to review and strengthen the implementation of the Nairobi Protocol. Funded by the UK and launched in June to coincide with RECSA’s 20th Anniversary, the initiative will deliver the first comprehensive review of the protocol implementation and proposals to address persistent SALW-related challenges and emerging threats to peace, security, stability and sustainable development.
Proposals to amend the protocol
Kenya’s Inspector-General of the National Police Service, Douglas Kanja Kirocho, emphasized that “over the past two decades, the Nairobi Protocol has transformed from a visionary agreement into a practical framework for action.”
The National Focal Point Coordinators examined implementation trends and explored potential alignment between the Nairobi Protocol and the Arms Trade Treaty, the Global Framework for Through-life Management of Conventional Ammunition, and the International Tracing Instrument. Proposals to amend the protocol include:
- Explicitly apply to SALW parts and components and conventional ammunition, as well as armed uncrewed aerial systems (drones) and improvised explosive devices;
- Enhance controls on the manufacture of arms and ammunition, including prohibiting the manufacture of improvised explosive devices and 3D-printed weapons;
- Strengthen national coordination mechanisms and strategic planning for SALW control, with a “whole-of-government” approach that is integrated into national security and development architectures;
- Better cross-border cooperation mechanism and greater use of technology in border controls;
- Mainstream gender-responsive SALW control measures and emphasize preventing gender-based violence, as well strengthen the meaningful participation of youth in arms control efforts; and
- A periodic/regular review mechanism.
A holistic approach for illicit arms control
Paul Holtom, Head of UNIDIR’s Conventional Arms and Ammunition Programme, explained that the research and meetings in Nairobi has sent him a strong message that “to be effective, we need to take a holistic approach to tackle not only the sources of supply for the illicit proliferation of arms and ammunition, but also the drivers of demand that lead to misuse and human suffering.” National authorities and partners in civil society, international and regional organizations, academia and the private sector need to work together to address both supply sources and demand drivers to ensure success in addressing the scourge of illicit arms in the next 20 years, which will be defined not by what is said, but by what is implemented.
In March 2026, a joint UNIDIR-RECSA report and scorecard will present the findings of the implementation review and considerations for further strengthening the implementation of the Nairobi Protocol.
The true measure of our success will be seen in safer streets, empowered communities and a region free from the scourge of illicit arms flows.
Jean Pierre Betindji, RECSA Executive Secretary
