New York: Europe and the Arab World

A UN official warned that there are more than one billion firearms in circulation globally, stressing that their continued proliferation is "both a symptom and a driver of the multiple security crises facing our world."

The Deputy High Representative of the United Nations for Disarmament Affairs, Adediji Ebo, pointed out that the widespread availability of these weapons underscores the urgent need to address the far-reaching consequences of illicit small arms and light weapons. According to the UN daily news bulletin, a copy of which we received, the UN official added, "In a briefing to the Security Council on Monday during an open debate on small arms, Ibo also highlighted significant achievements related to small arms and light weapons, including the adoption in 2023 of the Global Framework for the Management of Conventional Ammunition throughout its Lifespan, which he described as a 'significant development' that closes a 'longstanding gap in international efforts to prevent the diversion of ammunition and mitigate the risks of unplanned explosions at ammunition sites.' He also welcomed the outcome of the 2024 Fourth Review Conference of the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, which reaffirmed States' commitment to combating illicit production and trafficking. In reviewing the Secretary-General's report on small arms and light weapons, he noted the deepening of regional cooperation in addressing these weapons. Small arms undermine sustainable development. The UN official identified three areas of significant impact of the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons, the first being that 'the illicit trafficking and misuse of small arms and light weapons fuels armed violence, terrorism, and crime.'" The organization.” He drew attention in this area to the “increase in illicitly manufactured and hand-built weapons,” including “3D-printed” weapons appearing on illicit markets in Western Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

The second area – according to Ebo – is the “devastating human cost” of small arms, noting that in some conflict zones, small arms have been responsible for up to 30% of civilian deaths, and that 88% of documented cases of conflict-related sexual violence involved the use of firearms.
He added that the third impact is the “socioeconomic toll” of small arms proliferation, which “disrupts education and healthcare systems and, more broadly, undermines sustainable development.” Engaging Youth in Prevention Efforts
The Deputy High Representative for Disarmament Affairs called for prioritizing the comprehensive management of weapons and ammunition throughout their lifecycle, as well as strengthening national capacities, improving tracking systems, and using innovative technologies. He urged the Security Council to “systematically integrate small arms and ammunition considerations into its relevant mandates,” including peace operations and disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration processes. Inclusion.

Ibo stressed that it is time to adopt a gender-sensitive arms process, as well as to involve young people, who "represent 37% of homicide victims worldwide annually," in prevention efforts. He concluded by emphasizing the need to prevent the diversion and illicit manufacture of small arms and light weapons, "otherwise we will face the consequences of escalating insecurity."