Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons

Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons
Name	Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons
Adopted	2001
Adopted by	United Nations General Assembly
Venue	United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects
Type	Multilateral agreement
Status	Active

Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons

The Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PoA) is an international commitment addressing the illicit trade and misuse of small arms and light weapons negotiated at the United Nations in 2001, involving states such as United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China. The instrument complements efforts by institutions including the International Committee of the Red Cross, the European Union, the African Union, and the Organization of American States while intersecting with treaties like the Arms Trade Treaty and initiatives led by actors such as Sergio Vieira de Mello, Kofi Annan, and Boutros Boutros-Ghali. It aims to reduce human suffering associated with weapons spread across regions including Sub-Saharan Africa, Balkans, Latin America, and Middle East.

Background and Objectives

The PoA emerged from deliberations at the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, prompted by crises in places like Sierra Leone, Liberia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Afghanistan, and Colombia. Senior officials from United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, representatives from the Non-Aligned Movement, the European Commission, and civil society groups such as Control Arms Coalition and International Action Network on Small Arms contributed to framing objectives. Core aims include preventing diversion highlighted in reports by Small Arms Survey, curbing proliferation discussed at Geneva meetings, strengthening national regulation advocated by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, and promoting transparency endorsed by delegations from Canada, Sweden, and Germany.

Scope and Key Provisions

The PoA addresses manufacturing chains involving firms like FN Herstal and Heckler & Koch (as examples in discussions), transfer controls referenced alongside the Wassenaar Arrangement, marking and tracing principles reflected in studies by INTERPOL, and stockpile management practices promoted by United Nations Mine Action Service. Provisions call for national criminal legislation similar to instruments advocated by International Criminal Court discussions, import/export licensing regimes paralleling concepts in the Arms Trade Treaty, and measures against illicit brokering considered in forums involving the World Customs Organization and Interpol General Assembly. The PoA also recommends disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration programs practiced in missions such as UNAMSIL and MONUC.

International Negotiations and Adoption

Negotiations involved diplomats from blocs including the Non-Aligned Movement, the European Union, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, with mediation by the United Nations Secretary-General and support from the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Major negotiating episodes took place in venues like New York City and Geneva, where delegations from China, Russia, United States, United Kingdom, and France reconciled divergent positions on sovereignty, export controls, and verification. The PoA was adopted by consensus at the 2001 conference chaired by officials linked to the UN General Assembly and later reinforced in follow-up meetings held under the auspices of the UN Conference on Disarmament.

Implementation and National Action Plans

States implement the PoA through national action plans crafted by ministries such as those of United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, United States Department of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (France), and equivalents in Brazil, India, and South Africa. Implementation draws on technical assistance from the European Union Council, the African Union Commission, and agencies like United Nations Development Programme and UNODC. National measures include licensing regimes modeled after Wassenaar Arrangement guidelines, border controls coordinated with World Customs Organization, stockpile security following International Organization for Standardization-informed protocols, and destruction projects supported by Norwegian People’s Aid and Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Compliance

Monitoring relies on voluntary reports submitted to the United Nations Secretary-General, analysis by the Small Arms Survey, and assessments by regional bodies such as the Economic Community of West African States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Confidence-building measures emulate practices from the Conference on Disarmament and reporting templates developed in consultations with Interpol, World Customs Organization, and academic centers like Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Compliance mechanisms are political and cooperative rather than judicial, with follow-up meetings and review conferences facilitated by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs and supported by civil society watchdogs including Saferworld.

Impact, Challenges, and Criticisms

The PoA has influenced national legislation in states such as Kenya, Philippines, Argentina, and Serbia and bolstered regional agreements like the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Convention on Cluster Munitions’s related efforts. Criticisms cite limited enforcement power compared to treaties like the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and challenges documented by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International regarding porous borders in Sahel, illicit brokers linked to networks investigated by INTERPOL, and insufficient resources reported by UNDP and Small Arms Survey. Debates continue in forums including the United Nations General Assembly and the Group of 77 over strengthening brokering controls, enhancing tracing capacity with INTERPOL, and harmonizing the PoA with the Arms Trade Treaty while preserving state consent.

Category:Arms control Category:United Nations treaties and agreements