Les armes légères

Weapon destruction in Siem Ream, Cambodia, 16 December 2002
(Click tumbnail to enlarge)

The issue of the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons was first raised in a 1995 General Assembly resolution (A/RES/50/70B). Following that, two expert groups, established by the Secretary-General, issued reports on the subject (A/52/298 (1997) and A/54/258 (1999)).

Multilateral cooperation in this area took a significant step forward with the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Traffic in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, which took place from 9 to 20 July 2001 at the UN Headquarters in New York. On that occasion, the participating States agreed to adopt a Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons, in All Its Aspects.

For additional information, please visit the web pages of the Conventional Arms Branch of UNODA athttp://www.un.org/disarmament/convarms/SALW/Html/SALW-PoA-ISS_intro.shtml