Resources / UN resources

The Eighth Biennial Meeting of States (BMS8) to Consider the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (PoA) was convened at the United Nations in New York City from 27 June to 1 July 2022. BMS8 took place […]

On 24 December 2021, the General Assembly adopted resolution 76/233 establishing an Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) to elaborate a set of political commitments as a new global framework that will address existing gaps in through-life ammunition management. The first substantive session of the OEWG on conventional ammunition will be held in person at the United Nations headquarters in New […]

The 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) First Committee on Disarmament and International Security will start on 4 October and end around 5 November 2021. First Committee deals with all disarmament and security matters that affect the international community. It provides space for member states to exchange their views on disarmament-related considerations […]

This document from the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner sets forth the basic principles, which have been formulated to assist Member States in their task of ensuring and promoting the proper role of law enforcement officials, should be taken into account and respected by Governments within the framework of their national […]

The UN Secretary-General regularly reports on issues related to small arms and light weapons to the Security Council and the General Assembly. The most recent reports are available below. Find all other Secretary-General reports on the UNODA website here.

Before the adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in April 2013 by the General Assembly of the United Nations, there was no global set of rules governing the trade in conventional weapons. The ATT sets robust international standards to help guide governments in deciding whether or not to authorize arms transfers. It provides for […]

The Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition (Firearms Protocol) is the only legally binding instrument to counter the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunition at the global level. It was adopted by resolution 55/255 of 31 May 2001 […]

UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) The UNODA’s mandate on regional disarmament is to promote and enhance international efforts towards global disarmament and international peace and security through the support and promotion of regional disarmament efforts and initiatives using approaches freely arrived at among the States of the region and taking into account the legitimate […]

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was launched in 2015 to end poverty and set the world on a path of peace, prosperity and opportunity for all on a healthy planet. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demand nothing short of a transformation of the financial, economic and political systems that govern our societies today […]

MOSAIC is a set of voluntary, practical guidance notes that each combine the best small-arms expertise in succinct, operational advice. MOSAIC is the result of a decade of coordinated work within the UN system. Modules from the compendium are used in well over half of Member States, assisting authorities around the world to improve their […]