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Small arms: Report of the Secretary-General (S/2008/258)

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Summary

Most present-day conflicts are fought primarily with small arms and light weapons. Such weapons are broadly used in inter-State conflict, and are the weapons of choice in civil wars and for terrorism, organized crime and gang warfare. The dividing lines between underdevelopment, instability, fragility, crisis, conflict and war are becoming increasingly blurred; contemporary conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding therefore require multidimensional responses. The present report discusses various aspects of the issue of small arms, with an emphasis on the negative impact that illicit small arms have on security, human rights and social and economic development, in particular in areas of crisis and in post-conflict situations. It analyses global instruments of relevance in stemming the uncontrolled proliferation of small arms, including the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects. In addressing the issue of small arms, the report places particular emphasis on:

(a) Encouraging the development of measurable goals for reducing armed violence;

(b) Fostering enhanced cooperation among national authorities;

(c) Enhancing synergies among various bodies involved in the issue, including the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Peacebuilding Commission;

(d) Exploring possibilities for further improving the monitoring of Security Council arms embargoes;

(e) Developing forms of standardization of end-user certificates;

(f) Drawing urgent attention to destruction of surplus ammunition stockpiles and to stockpile management;

(g) Building capacity.

Within the United Nations system, coordination on the issue of small arms will be further strengthened.