Small Arms and Light Weapons (Open)

The 28th GWI Conference resolves:

that National Federations and Associations (NFAs) strongly urge their respective governments to:

1. implement the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (2001);
2. participate actively in the 2005 United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, become signatories to any Codes of Conduct or conventions which are agreed therein and enforce them in their own territories;
3. consult other governments in their region on the most urgent issues and the most effective means of control when preparing for the 2005 Conference;
4. work for the strengthening of the 2001 Programme of Action at that Conference with respect to:
   1. the establishment of a Code of Conduct on arms exports, which regulates the sale of weapons, especially to countries which violate human rights or international law;
   2. the establishment of a UN Convention on the international regulation of brokering and shipping agents; and,
   3. strengthening of security measures at state owned and other armouries;
5. further support measures to counter underlying cultures of violence and the impacts of armed conflict; and,
6. actively support measures which empower civil society organizations to promote peaceful resolution of conflict, including peace education and the role of weapons, especially amongst young people.

Plan of Action

1. NFAs should take urgent action to make their concerns known to their respective governments regarding the need to strengthen the UN Programme of Action in 2005.
2. NFAs should make themselves aware of particular problems relating to their region and highlight these when lobbying their governments.
3. NFAs should develop their own plans to address issues of non-violent resolution of conflict and of education for peace in accordance with Resolutions 12 and 13 of the 27th GWI Conference, Ottawa, 2001.