UN small weapons control body reconvenes The
United Nations' committee to study a global agreement on the trade of small and light weapons reconvened Monday in New York, according to an emailed announcement from the UN.
Called the
Second Review Conference of the UN Program of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, the stated goal of the conference is to "concrete recommendations for improving national legislation and controls over illicit small arms, fostering regional cooperation and promoting international assistance and cooperation on the issue.
"Countries agreed to, among other measures, ensuring that licensed manufacturers apply an appropriate and reliable marking on each small arm and light weapon as an integral part of the production process, and to keeping comprehensive and accurate records for as long as possible on the manufacture, holding and transfer of small arms and light weapons under their jurisdiction."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon told delegates that "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."
Some nations don't have the capacity to control the passage of weapons across their borders, Ban said, and there is "limited cooperation among States in tracking illicit arms; weapons continue to reach areas and entities under Security Council arms embargoes; and insecure stockpiles continue to be a source of arms for armed groups, terrorists and organized crime."
The conference is scheduled to continue until Sept. 7.
http://www.examiner.com/article/un-s...ody-reconvenes
