Australia Takes Action Against Illicit Small Arms And Light Weapons
Media release
19 June 2010
I welcome the positive outcome of the Fourth Biennial Meeting of States on Small Arms and Light Weapons which concluded yesterday in New York.
Australia played a key role in securing a successful outcome at this meeting to help stem the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.
Reducing the availability of these weapons around the world is a high priority for Australia.
Although the incidence of armed conflict globally has declined in recent years, the number of people killed by armed violence has not. These weapons have a severe impact on women, children and people with disabilities.
The United Nations meeting adopted strong recommendations that will enhance the capacity of countries to control the movement of illicit small arms and light weapons across their borders. The meeting also agreed to increase international cooperation and assistance to help countries take effective action against the illicit arms trade.
In the lead up to the meeting, Australia contributed $100,000 to fund the participation of five government and four civil society representatives from Asia and the Pacific, strengthening the voice of countries in our region.
Australia also provided $150,000 to fund a United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research report that will help countries target their efforts in this area.
We also provided funding for the launch of the GunPolicy.org database, a crucial information source on small arms and light weapons.
Media inquiries
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