UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA)

Under the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (PoA), governments agreed to improve national small arms laws, import/export controls, and stockpile management – and to engage in cooperation and assistance. Since its adoption in 2001, the UN has worked to support the implementation of the UNPoA at national, regional, and international levels.

National Reports

National reports are the primary tool to assess the implementation of the PoA and are submitted by states every two years. The report is divided into 10 sections: point of contact; manufacture of SALW; international transfers of SALW; brokering; stockpile management; collection of SALW; marketing and record-keeping; international tracing; international cooperation and assistance; and gender consideration. The UN Office for Disarmament Affairs keeps country and regional profiles and records with statistics from the national reports. IANSA urges for all Member States to submit their national reports to ensure the implementation of the PoA. 

Check the submitted UNPoA national reports for 2020 here.

Timeline of POA process and meetings