UN Programme of Action

In 2001, the UN recognised the need for international action on the global problem of small arms and light weapons.

The UN Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, was agreed in July 2001 and remains the primary international agreement on the control of small arms and light weapons.

It sets out a range of measures for states to take including:

• transfer controls
• the regulation of arms brokering
• stockpile management
• the marking and tracing of small arms
• assistance to implement the Programme

What we do

As part of the Biting the Bullet project, which brings together government experts, academics and civil society from around the world, we build agreement on issues relating to, and including small arms and light weapons transfers. Together we:

• monitor states' progress on implementation 
• encourage states' to carry out the commitments in full
• promote further development of the Programme

 

Find out more about the Biting the Bullet project

 

Read the latest monitoring report:

Reviewing Action on small arms, 2006: Assessing the first five years of the UN Programme of Action

 

 

The aim of the 2006 Conference was to review progress and to further advance international action to deal with small arms and light weapons, but Member States failed to agree on some issues or further development of the agreement.

The 2001 UN Programme, however, remains in force and we continue to work at the national and regional levels to deal with small arms problems.

As part of the Biting the Bullet team, we are now working on ways to revive the global small arms process.  The first key opportunity is the next UN Biennial Meeting of States in 2008.

Reports and briefings

Third Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action, July 2008

Uganda and international small arms transfers: Implementing UN Programme of Action commitments, July 2008

Moldova and international small arms transfers: Implementing UN Programme of Action commitments, July 2008

Small arms and light weapons transfer controls to prevent diversion, August 2007

Promoting effective global action on small arms: Priorities for the 2006 UN Review Conference, February 2006

Our reports in 2003, 2005 and 2006 also fed into UN on the Programme.

 

Find out more  

Read more information about our regional small arms work on the Africa, Asia and Europe pages.

Find out how you can support us  

 

• Small arms and light weapons
  • What are small arms and light weapons?
  • Small arms assessments
  • UN Programme of Action
  • Biting the Bullet Project
• Arms transfer controls
• Conflict-sensitive development
• Security and justice sector development
• International advocacy
• Training

Contact

Elizabeth Kirkham
Small Arms and Transfer Controls Adviser