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UN chief urges continued action to control illegal small arms trade

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- Moon on Monday called for a sustained commitment to control the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons worldwide, emphasizing their devastating effects and the high cost of human lives.

In a statement delivered by UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson at a UN meeting to review the action to curb the illegal trade of small arms and light weapons, Ban noted: "Illicit small arms remain the weapons of choice for those who seek to challenge legitimate State power, to spread fear and insecurity, or to pursue criminal goals."

The UN meeting, known as the Second Review Conference of the UN Program of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, opened here Monday morning, and it will run through September 7.

Over half a million people are killed each year from these weapons, with civilians and impoverished people disproportionately affected, the secretary-general said.

According to the Small Arms Survey, there are an estimated 875 million small arms in circulation worldwide, produced by more than 1,000 companies from nearly 100 countries.

Ongoing, coordinated efforts are key, Ban said. "There are no quick solutions -- it will take a sustained process that requires the commitment of all."

"The full implementation of the Program of Action is both an urgent priority and a long-term project that will demand perseverance and resolve," he said.

The Program of Action was adopted by consensus in 2001 after attention to the wide spread availability of small arms and light weapons, and their predominate role in present day conflicts.

The program details recommendations for member states to control the illicit flow of such arms through national legislation, regional cooperation and international assistance. Every six years, the progress of the Program of Action is reviewed.

The first Review Conference was held in 2006, but no agreement was reached on an outcome document.

In his speech, Ban commended member states'efforts so far, including safeguarding arms depots and improving national legislation. "Since the adoption of the Program of Action in 2001, we have made some progress," he said.

But the secretary-general made clear that obstacles remain, saying that "Weapons continue to reach areas and entities under ( UN) Security Council arms embargoes." Ban cited limited cooperation between States, insecure stockpiles and an inability to stop arms flow across States'borders as points to address in surmounting this problem.

Meanwhile, the secretary-general used the occasion to also impel action on an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), insisting that the proposed ATT would decrease the havoc created by small arms and ammunition. "I urge you to redouble your efforts to create a robust'ATT' as soon as possible." Enditem

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