the transition in Yemen, negotiations between Sudan and South Sudan, and progress of the UN in Somalia. Amidst this flurry of high-profile activity, and as a centrepiece of our presidency, Australia convened on 26 September a high-level meeting on the impact on international peace and security of the illicit trade and misuse of small arms and light weapons. This followed the adoption in April by the UN General Assembly of the Arms Trade Treaty, in which Australia played a strong leadership role, and the release of the UN Secretary-General’s report on small arms. The meeting in September was the first time in over five years that the Council had considered the issue of small arms in a dedicated way – the last time being a debate convened by South Africa during its Council presidency in April 2008. Australia also managed to secure an historic Council resolution on small arms and light weapons from the meeting. This was an excellent outcome on an issue of great importance, including to Africa where small arms are a massive problem. Indeed, the illicit trade and misuse of small arms intensifies and perpetuates conflict and instability around the world. Such trade is integral to threats to international peace and security, such as terrorist acts, piracy and transnational organised crime. In many cases, it violates Council resolutions, sanctions and embargoes. The illicit trade and misuse of small arms also hinders the implementation of UN peacekeeping mandates and political missions and threatens the lives of peacekeepers. It undermines peacebuilding efforts and has devastating humanitarian consequences. The UNSC resolution will strengthen the implementation of arms embargoes; enhance support to governments to secure and manage arms stockpiles, strengthen the role of peacekeeping missions in combating small arms threats, and improve the UN’s overall capacity to tackle these challenges. I would like to congratulate Ghana on recently joining Australia in signing the Arms Trade Treaty. But of course Ghana has long recognised the importance of addressing the issue of small arms proliferation. The National Commission on Small Arms has been pivotal in controlling the use of small arms and light weapons in Ghana through its border control and management programme. I understand the commission has already destroyed over 5,000 illicit or illegal firearms. The Commission is working with the Attorney General’s Department to review existing policies and legislation governing small arms and light weapons in Ghana. It is also raising public awareness about the wrongful use of small arms and light weapons. And it is facilitating the marking of all state arms and all
the transition in Yemen, negotiations between Sudan and South Sudan, and progress of the UN in Somalia. Amidst this flurry of high-profile activity, and as a centrepiece of our presidency, Australia convened on 26 September a high-level meeting on the impact on international peace and security of the illicit trade and misuse of small arms and light weapons. This followed the adoption in April by the UN General Assembly of the Arms Trade Treaty, in which Australia played a strong leadership role, and the release of the UN Secretary-General’s report on small arms. The meeting in September was the first time in over five years that the Council had considered the issue of small arms in a dedicated way – the last time being a debate convened by South Africa during its Council presidency in April 2008. Australia also managed to secure an historic Council resolution on small arms and light weapons from the meeting. This was an excellent outcome on an issue of great importance, including to Africa where small arms are a massive problem. Indeed, the illicit trade and misuse of small arms intensifies and perpetuates conflict and instability around the world. Such trade is integral to threats to international peace and security, such as terrorist acts, piracy and transnational organised crime. In many cases, it violates Council resolutions, sanctions and embargoes. The illicit trade and misuse of small arms also hinders the implementation of UN peacekeeping mandates and political missions and threatens the lives of peacekeepers. It undermines peacebuilding efforts and has devastating humanitarian consequences. The UNSC resolution will strengthen the implementation of arms embargoes; enhance support to governments to secure and manage arms stockpiles, strengthen the role of peacekeeping missions in combating small arms threats, and improve the UN’s overall capacity to tackle these challenges. I would like to congratulate Ghana on recently joining Australia in signing the Arms Trade Treaty. But of course Ghana has long recognised the importance of addressing the issue of small arms proliferation. The National Commission on Small Arms has been pivotal in controlling the use of small arms and light weapons in Ghana through its border control and management programme. I understand the commission has already destroyed over 5,000 illicit or illegal firearms. The Commission is working with the Attorney General’s Department to review existing policies and legislation governing small arms and light weapons in Ghana. It is also raising public awareness about the wrongful use of small arms and light weapons. And it is facilitating the marking of all state arms and all
HOMSpeechKAIPTC.docx