Resources / Publications

Since 1996 the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has deliberated on the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons (SALW) as a persistent danger to international peace, security and stability as well as means to commit crime and terrorism. Numerous exchanges have been held under the auspices of the General Assembly  with a view […]

The issue of emerging technologies and the potential challenges they pose has been on the international small arms and light weapons (SALW) control agenda for over a decade, with first reports of successfully manufactured 3D polymer weapons dating back to 2011-2013.  Yet the international community’s steps towards addressing these challenges as well as exploring their […]

IANSA’s theme for the Global Week of Action 2024 was “A World without Gun Violence: Turning Words into Actions,” it envisioned a future where gun violence is no longer a threat to communities worldwide. It called for global solidarity, State commitment, and concrete actions to achieve disarmament, promote peacebuilding, and ensure the safety of all […]

The use of private transport contractors, including for the provision of transportation, freight forwarding and charter services to ship and deliver small arms, light weapons (SALW), and their parts, components and ammunition, is not adequately covered by national legal and regulatory frameworks. Inadequate regulation of SALW transport service providers, border posts and ports encourage unscrupulous […]

Especially since the 1990s, international transfers of SALW and ammunition have been conducted in increasingly differentiated markets. A multitude of products, buyers and suppliers around the world, including State-owned entities and large defence manufacturers, use the services of specialist intermediaries, as well as private agents and dealers. States often use brokering services for the purpose […]

This Briefing Paper provides selected global data and figures to highlight the massive global scale and impacts of violence and destabilization committed with small arms and light weapons (SALW) in both conflict and non-conflict settings, including the enormous economic and social costs arising from the illicit circulation, diversion, frequent misuse and inadequate regulation of such […]

The Fourth Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action (UNPoA) on Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (RevCon4) will be held from 18-28 June 2024. It commits all participating States to cooperate on measures that will help achieve the purpose of the UNPoA, including “to reduce the human suffering caused by […]

The purpose of this guide is to assist IANSA network members, other non-governmental organisations, (including community organisations working at the grassroots level and organisations working at the national and regional levels) to help make our world a safer place by sharing recommendations that States should apply to better prevent the illicit proliferation, misuse and trade […]

Youth Mainstreaming refers to the deliberate inclusion of young people’s perspectives, needs, and participation in the processes of reducing small arms and light weapons proliferation and misuse. By ensuring that youth are actively involved in decision-making, awareness campaigns, and disarmament initiatives, the approach recognises the significant role youth can play in fostering peace and security. […]

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence took place from 25 November until 10 December. IANSA’s theme this year was “Take Action! Stop gender-based violence now.” Small arms and light weapons (SALW) are used to perpetrate or facilitate gender-based violence (GBV). GBV involves any act of violence targeting an individual on the basis of […]