Small Arms: 48,000 conflict-related civilian deaths - Security Council Briefing | United Nations

UN Deputy High Representative of the Office for Disarmament Affairs Adedeji Ebo said, “More than one billion firearms are in circulation globally. Their continued proliferation is both a symptom and a driver of the multiple security crises that our world is facing.” Addressing the Council, he said that that firearms’ widespread availability underscores “the urgent need to address the consequences of illicit small arms and light weapons, which are far-reaching” He reported, “persistent violations of arms embargoes in contexts such as Libya, Yemen, and Haiti, where diverted weapons are arming criminal groups and terrorist networks. These are facilitated by poorly manned borders, and increasingly by illicit digital activities.” He also said, “We are witnessing a rise in illicitly manufactured and craft-produced arms. For example, more 3D-printed are available in illicit markets, especially in countries across Western Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean.” He highlighted, “In 2023, the combined revenue of the world’s 100 largest arms companies amounted to $632 billion. In 2024, global military expenditure had surged to $2.7 trillion US dollars – representing a 37 percent increase since 2015.” Roraima Ana Andriani, Special Representative of INTERPOL to the European Union, said, “The fight against the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons requires alignment between the diplomatic and operational dimensions of security. Diplomatic leadership in the multilateral arena is essential to translate political will into concrete cooperation among countries.” Mohamed Ibn Chambas, High Representative for the Silencing the Guns Initiative of the African Union stated, “For each illicit weapon we take out of circulation, we contribute to saving lives, restoring trust, and giving peace a fighting chance.” Arnoux Descardes, Executive Director, Volontariat pour le développement d’Haïti (VDH) said, “Today, the massive trafficking of illegal weapons and the circulation of firearms in Haiti are a source of great concern, despite the arms embargo imposed by the United Nations Security Council since 2022, along with a sanction’s regime monitored by the group of experts. However, the proliferation of weapons continues.”


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