Illicit trade in small arms and light weapons (2022)

SUMMARY OF:

Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/1965 in support of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DECISION?

The decision gives the full support of the European Union (EU) to the effective implementation of the United Nations (UN) Programme of Action and International Tracing Instrument tackling the illicit trade in small arms* and light weapons* (SALW). This aims to enhance global, regional and national security and promote sustainable development.

More specifically, the decision supports:

forward-looking global policy developments to implement the Programme of Action;
effective national and regional implementation of the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument;
gender-responsive SALW control policies and programmes.

KEY POINTS

The EU’s contribution to the 2024 fourth UN Review Conference (RevCon4) of the Programme of Action on small arms consists of:

advancing global policies and commitments by:
- supporting four virtual expert round tables to prepare practical recommendations related to SALW control,
- organising five 2-day regional meetings to identify region-specific SALW-related challenges, discuss regional priorities for RevCon4 and examine national reporting,
- covering travel and accommodation costs for up to 15 participants to attend RevCon4,
- strengthening civil society involvement, including promotion of the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence;
ensuring full and effective implementation of the Programme of Action on small arms and its International Tracing Instrument, based on national and regional priorities, targets, strategies and action plans by:
- upgrading the Model Small-arms-control Implementation Compendium (MOSAIC) assessment tool,
- organising seminars, workshops, work sessions and meetings in Latin America, the Caribbean region, the Asia-Pacific region and Africa,
- developing civil-society involvement through campaigns, capacity building and policy-oriented materials;
deepening gender-mainstreamed small arms control policies and programmes in line with the Women, Peace and Securityagenda by:
- holding relevant courses, webinars and regional workshops in Latin America, the Caribbean region, the Asia-Pacific region and Africa,
- strengthening civil-society involvement by disseminating a report on achievements and lessons learned under the EU-funded measures on gendermainstreamed policies and programmes, running virtual workshops and producing a toolkit to promote synergies between small arms control policies and programmes and the Women, Peace and Security agenda;
supporting the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) in raising awareness, advocacy, outreach and partnerships.

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy:

is responsible for ensuring that the project, which is financed by the EU with a budget of €4.5 million, is implemented;
reports to the Council of the European Union on the implementation of the decision on the basis of regular reports from UNODA.

UNODA carries out the technical implementation of the project under the responsibility of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

FROM WHEN DOES THE DECISION APPLY?

It has applied since 17 October 2022.

BACKGROUND

20 July 2001: the UN adopted the UN Programme of Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in SALW in all its aspects.
8 December 2005: the UN General Assembly adopted the International Tracing Instrument to enable states to identify and trace illicit SALW (known as the ‘International Tracing Instrument’) in a timely and reliable manner.
16 December 2005: the European Council adopted the EU strategy to combat the illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition, in support of the UN Programme of Action.

KEY TERMS

Small arms. Revolvers and self-loading pistols, rifles and carbines, submachine guns, assault rifles and light machine guns.

Light weapons. Heavy machine guns, portable anti-aircraft guns, mortars, ammunition, shells, hand grenades, landmines and explosives.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/1965 of 17 October 2022 in support of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (OJ L 270, 18.10.2022, pp. 67–81).