Statement [Made on Behalf of the Security Council, at the 5709th Meeting, 29 June 2007, in Connection with the Council's Consideration of the Item Entitled "Small Arms"]

S/PRST/2007/24No PDF available

Who created this mandate?

A Presidential Statement of the Security Council, under agenda item 193Small arms, published in 2007.

What subjects does this mandate have?

9 topics

Armed Conflicts Arms Embargo Illicit Arms Trafficking International Instruments International Security Report Preparation Sanctions Compliance Self-Defence (International Law)Small Arms

What does this mandate say?

9 paragraphs

At the 5709th meeting of the Security Council, held on 29 June 2007, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “Small arms”, the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council:

“The Security Council recalls its primary responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security. In this regard the Security Council recognises that the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects has hampered the peaceful settlement of disputes, fuelled such disputes into armed conflict, and contributed to the prolongation of such armed conflicts.

“The Security Council notes with grave concern that the destabilising accumulation and illicit manufacture, trade and circulation of small arms and light weapons in many regions of the world increases the intensity and duration of armed conflicts, undermines the sustainability of peace agreements, impedes the success of peace-building, frustrates efforts aimed at the prevention of armed conflict, hinders considerably the provision of humanitarian assistance, and compromises the effectiveness of the Security Council in discharging its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.

“The Council reaffirms the inherent right to individual or collective self-defense consistent with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations.

“The Security Council notes the report of the Secretary-General to the Council entitled ‘Small Arms’ (S/2006/109) of 27 February 2006, and recalls the statements of its President of 17 February 2005 (S/PRST/2005/7), of 19 January 2004 (S/PRST/2004/1), of 31 October 2002 (S/PRST/2002/30), of 31 August 2001 (S/PRST/2001/21) and of 24 September 1999 (S/PRST/1999/28).

“The Security Council underlines the need to address this issue and in this regard, requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Council on a biennial basis beginning in 2008, a report on small arms containing his analysis, observations and recommendations as well as his observations on the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects, to facilitate its further consideration of the matter.

“The Security Council stresses the need to implement the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects and the international instrument to enable States to identify and trace, in a timely manner, illicit small arms and light weapons, in order to make real progress in preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. In particular, States are encouraged to strengthen physical security and stockpile management, destroy surplus and obsolete small arms and light weapons, ensure all small arms and light weapons are marked at the time of manufacture and import, and strengthen export and border controls and control brokering activities.

“The Security Council encourages increased efforts to end the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons at the national, regional and international level.

“The Security Council calls on all Member States to abide by their obligations to observe the arms embargoes established under relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.”

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