There are six committees of the UN General Assembly. The First Committee deals with disarmament and international security, and meets annually at UN Headquarters in New York (US) during October.
In 2007, there were several resolutions at the First Committee relating to small arms and light weapons control. In addition, the Control Arms campaign promoted the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). The composition of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) examining the ATT was announced during the First Committee. This GGE will start work in 2008, as will a second GGE on ammunition control.
Click here to see highlights of the First Committee related to small arms.
After approval in the First Committee, these resolutions will be transmitted to the General Assembly for a final vote. To learn more about the First Committee, and to find out what your government said, visit the website of Reaching Critical Will.
Resolutions adopted at the First Committee
The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects
Voting result: 165 in favour, 1 against (US)
This 'omnibus' resolution confirmed the 2008 Biennial Meeting of States (BMS) to discuss implementation of the UN Programme of Action on small arms. It also recommended that States implement the recommendations of the UN Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on illicit arms brokering, and encouraged States to implement the PoA through their National Commissions.
Text of the final resolution (adopted by First Committee on 18 October)
Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and
light weapons and collecting them
Voting result: Adopted with consensus (no vote)
This resolution called upon the international community to provide technical and financial support to National Commissions and civil society organisations to implement the PoA.
Text of the final resolution (adopted by First Committee on 17 October)
National legislation on transfer of arms, military equipment
and dual-use goods and technology
Voting result: Adopted with consensus (no vote)
This resolution encouraged States to exercise effective national controls over the international transfer of arms,
military equipment and dual-use goods and technology. These controls should be consistent with the obligation of States under international treaties.
Text of the final resolution (adopted by First Committee on 17 October)
Prevention of the illicit transfer and unauthorized access to and
use of man-portable air defence systems
Voting result: Adopted with consensus (no vote)
This resolution encouraged States to increase their controls on man-portable air defence systems(MANPADS), which are portable rocket launchers. The resolution particularly emphasised the need to prohibit transfers of these weapons to unauthorised non-State end-users.
Text of the final resolution (adopted by First Committee on 17 October)
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