This is the first of several bulletins to be sent over the course of the coming year on the UN small arms process. In July 2005, governments, UN agencies and NGOs will gather for the Second Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the Programme of Action (BMS). This meeting offers a critical organising opportunity for NGOs to undertake work on small arms at a various levels, to strengthen our collective voice and to improve the chances of positive outcomes from the 2005 BMS.

This bulletin provides an update of the UN process. It is also a call for action by IANSA participants to maximise the opportunities available for you to encourage, pressure and support your government in implementing the Programme of Action in preparation for 2005.

Glossary of terms
Why is the UN process relevant to NGOs?
What did the 2003 Biennial Meeting of States achieve?
What is the 2005 Biennial Meeting of States about?
What is to be expected from the 2006 Review Conference?
What will IANSA do for the 2005 BMS?
What other processes/opportunities exist at the UN level?
Government Focal Points and Reporting

Glossary of terms

2003 BMS = First Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action

2005 BMS = Second Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action

2006 RevCon = Review Conference for the 2001 UN Conference on the Illicit Trade of Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects

UN DDA = UN Department of Disarmament Affairs

PrepCom – Preparatory Committee Meeting

Why is the UN process relevant to NGOs?

• The UN Programme of Action (PoA), http://www.iansa.org/un/index.htm although a global and rather general instrument, contains recommendations that must be implemented mainly at the national level.

• It can generate political will / peer pressure for states to take more decisive action to curb small arms proliferation and misuse.

• Although the UN process is not an arena where country-specific problems can be addressed, it provides an umbrella under which national and regional initiatives can develop.

• The UN process also provides a forum where countries plagued by small arms proliferation and misuse can express their concerns to arms producing / exporting countries.

• The commitments made by states in the PoA provide language that can be used by national organisations in their advocacy efforts: every sentence is important!

What did the 2003 Biennial Meeting of States achieve?

• The First BMS http://www.iansa.org/un/bms.htm provided an invaluable opportunity for states to report on progress implementing the Programme of Action; promoted transparency and information exchange; created a focal point for global NGO activity.

• IANSA consolidated its presence, building positively on the 2001 UN Conference; the coordinated coherent NGO presentations proved civil society is an essential partner in this process.

• The meeting marked a greater interest by many governments in discussing previously contentious issues such as national gun control, weapons transfers to non-state armed groups; export controls as well as greater recognition of the human security impacts.

For more information on the BMS go to:

IANSA Newsletter, October 2003
Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue Bulletin on the BMS, October 2003
Shoulder-to-Shoulder newsletter, July 2003
GTZ newsletter
Disarmament Diplomacy
UN Department of Disarmament Affairs (DDA)

What is the 2005 Biennial Meeting of States about?

• As in 2003, the 2005 Meeting is not a negotiating meeting. It will be a further opportunity for governments to report on their implementation of the PoA and for information sharing and exchange amongst and between governments and civil society.

• Despite its reporting nature, its proximity (just one year away) to the 2006 Review Conference makes it a highly significant meeting.

• Although it is not a PrepCom for the 2006 Review Conference (a PrepCom has been scheduled for January 2006), the 2005 BMS will help to set the tone and themes for 2006. Much can be achieved at a national, regional and global level in preparing for it.

• Important directions for the 2005 meeting will be determined at the meeting of the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly in October 2004.

• The chair of the 2005 Meeting will come from the European Union.

For more information go to:

UN DDA website

What is to be expected from the 2006 Review Conference?

• This meeting, coming five years after the groundbreaking 2001 UN Conference on Small Arms, will be a critical point for assessing progress by governments, regional organisations and the international system, in implementing steps outlined in the UN Programme of Action.

• It will also be a critical opportunity to look forward and develop the future global process on small arms. What form this may take is yet to be determined, and NGOs have a pivotal role to play in contributing to a visionary and vital agenda for action for 2006 and beyond.

• The 2006 RevCon will be an opportunity for IANSA to be seen as a powerful and effective network of organisations against armed violence and the trade in weapons.

• The President of the Review Conference will come from the Non-Aligned Movement.

• There will be a PrepCom in January 2006, which will draw on the direction and tone set by the 2005 BMS as well as the General Assembly First Committee actions in 2004 and 2005.

Key moments for you to focus on:

• Your government has committed itself to annual reporting to the UN on its implementation of the PoA. You can help ensure that your government’s report is as comprehensive and transparent as possible. Templates for reporting are available on the UN DDA website.

• Participate in meetings related to small arms that take place in your region, particularly those focusing on specific issues (such as "brokering") related to the PoA and the preparation for the 2005 BMS.

• Press your government to play an active and positive role in the 2005 BMS and work to see that NGOs from your country or region can be present in New York in July 2005.

• Be aware of the PrepCom in January 2006, and come to New York if possible, to help influence the agenda of the 2006 meeting, including the role of NGOs.

• Join in the IANSA Week of Action in 2005

• Keep the Secretariat fully informed of all your small arms activities, in particular those related to preparations for the 2005 BMS.

What will IANSA do for the 2005 BMS?

IANSA will:

•Help to develop a clear NGO position in the lead-up to and during the UN meeting.

• Provide information and suggestions for action including accessible resources on how to engage the media, use UN reports for national and regional action and link up with other networks.

• Identify gaps and opportunities for national and regional action to enhance governmental awareness.

• Develop a comprehensive media strategy.

• Facilitate a range of activities both at the meetings at the UN, as well as selected national locations to highlight the global concern on the issue.

What other processes/opportunities exist at the UN level?

Marking & Tracing – An Open-Ended Working Group has been established to develop a new international instrument on this issue. Its first meeting lasted from 14 to 26 June 2004, and two more meetings are scheduled in 2005. The goal is to have a draft instrument ready by July 2005; it is not yet clear whether this instrument will be legally- or merely politically-binding. NGOs do have some access to the meetings, and much work is needed to ensure that this instrument will have enough teeth – in other words, be legally-binding – and also include ammunition.

Brokering - Consultations are also being held on the issue of brokering, with meetings held in Geneva in April and May, and in New York in June and July 2004. IANSA has been asked to contribute a consolidated report on the views of the international NGO community. While this process is still in its early stages, IANSA participants have an opportunity to work with UN DDA (as well as the governments of the Netherlands and Norway, who initiated this process) to determine the terms of the debate and ensure progress on substantive issues.

Government Focal Points and Reporting

Click here for information on whether or not your government has reported on its implementation of the PoA

Click here for information on National Focal Points