UN Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons (July 2001)

The United Nations hosted a Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects in New York City, July 9-20, 2001. This conference, attracting high-level representatives from over 150 countries, culminated an effort initiated by the United Nations in 1995.

Under the provisions of UNGA Resolution 54/54V dated December 15, 1999, the Conference was tasked to develop and strengthen international efforts to prevent, combat, and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons by creating a Global Program of Action on SA/LW. The United States worked closely with other nations to strengthen international measures to mitigate the effects of SA/LW and to make the Conference a success. Because U.S. export controls are among the most rigorous and transparent in the world, particularly its controls on brokering, the U.S. delegation seeked to have elements based on the U.S. model incorporated into the Conference Program of Action.

Related Link
United Nations Conference Website

Report
Report on the UN Small Arms Conference
Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects

Press Releases
-- 07/09/2001:    Press Conference by Under Secretary John R. Bolton to the UN Conference on the "Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects"
-- 07/02/2001:   Background Briefing: The Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons

Remarks
-- 07/21/2001:    Remarks by Assistant Secretary Lincoln P. Bloomfield, Jr. on the Plan of Action at the Conference Stake-Out
-- 07/09/2001:    Plenary Address by Under Secretary John R. Bolton to the UN Conference on the "Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects"
-- 06/28/2001:    Remarks by Assistant Secretary Lincoln P. Bloomfield, Jr. to the Non-Governmental Organization Briefing
-- 03/20/2001:    Statement by Ambassador Donald J. McConnell to the Preparatory Committee for the UN Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons

Fact Sheets
-- 08/01/2002:    Concise Guide to the Inter-American Convention
-- 08/01/2002:    The Inter-American Convention Against Illicit Manufacturing and Trafficking of Firearms and Related Materials
-- 07/05/2001:    Chronology of U.S. Regional Activities
-- 07/05/2001:    Transparency in Arms Sales
-- 07/05/2001:    U.S. Measures to Fight the Illicit Small Arms/Light Weapons (SA/LW) Trade
-- 07/01/2001:    Arms and Conflict in Africa
-- 06/25/2001:    Financial Assistance for the Destruction of Small Arms and Light Weapons
-- 06/25/2001:    U.S. Brokering Laws and Enforcement
-- 06/25/2001:    U.S. System of Enforcement of Export Controls
-- 06/19/2001:    The Extent and Dangers of the Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons Trade

Background Papers
-- 06/02/2001:     Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Program: Tracing Illegal Small Arms
-- 06/02/2001:     Combating the Spread of Small Arms: The U.S. Approach
-- 06/02/2001:     Destroying Excess Small Arms: U.S. Policy and Programs
-- 06/02/2001:     Small Arms and Light Weapons: Can They Be Controlled?