IANSA was created as an international network in 1998. IANSA was registered as a legal entity in London during 2002 and then registered in Ghana during 2015 so as to reflect the organization’s commitment to bringing voices from the global south to the United Nations small arms disarmament process. A leadership team guides the work of IANSA. IANSA’s offices are hosted in the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA) office. IANSA also has an active UN liaison office in New York City. Currently, IANSA unites hundreds of organisations across regions.
IANSA has Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, and are the official coordinator of civil society participation in UN meetings on small arms.
IANSA currently receives financial assistance from the United Nations through contributions received from the European Union. We also receive funding from the United Nations Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation (UNSCAR). This includes funds to maintain a small secretariat.
