Kathmandu, 23 January 2024 (WAI): Asia-Pacific countries are set to meet in Nepal from 23-25 January to obstruct illicit small arms trade.
Additionally, the Government of Nepal is organizing the Regional Preparatory Meeting on the United Nations Program of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA) and its International Tracing Instrument.
This preparation is ahead of the Fourth Review Conference, supposed to be held from June 17-28, 2024, in New York.
The UN Program of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, created in 2001, provides the framework to its member states to amplify international cooperation and constraint over small arms, by enhancing national regulations, import/export controls and stockpile management.
Consequently, this will ensure achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development objectives while ensuring protection from the threats posed by the illicit arms trade.
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Delegations from over 25 countries in the region will attend the meeting. This preparatory meeting will initiate the groundwork for the Fourth Review Conference, where delegates will review progress in global disarmament efforts.
Concerned stakeholders will discuss potential challenges, threats and priorities relating to region-specific small arms and light weapons. Also, it will offer an opportunity for group discussions to develop effective national strategies and policies to curb the supply and demand of such weapons and counter transnational crimes.
The meeting aligns with the UN’s Office of Disarmament Affairs’ global project that aims for the successful execution of the Program of Action, backed by the EU and additionally supported by Australia enabling wider state participation.
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