UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
Statement by H.E. Mr Peter Tesch Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
Open Meeting on Small Arms
New York 11 October 2002
Mr President
The Report of the Secretary-General on Small Arms is a timely contribution to international efforts to combat the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. The Report usefully identifies ways in which the Security Council, in fulfilling its role in maintaining international peace and security, can help to control and eradicate the illicit small arms trade, building on the 2001 UN Program of Action.
Some of the Report's recommendations are particularly meritorious. Reflecting Australia's extensive experience in dealing with post-conflict situations in the South and South West Pacific, Australia strongly endorses recommendations 7 and 8, encouraging the inclusion of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DD and R) activities in Council mandates and budgets for peacekeeping operations. We also strongly endorse recommendations 5 and 11, calling for the strict enforcement of all Council resolutions on sanctions, including those imposing arms embargoes, and for effective monitoring mechanisms to oversee the rigorous and effective application of embargoes.
It is in these two areas in particular -inclusion of DD and R activities in peacekeeping mandates and rigid enforcement of arms embargoes -that the Council can make a practical and positive impact on international efforts to combat the illicit small arms trade. Australia also commends the Report's recognition of the important role of strengthened national export control measures in ensuring effective regulation of small arms exports. Effective national export controls, including end-use certification, are the first line of defence against illicit transfers and help to prevent exports that may start out as licit ending up in illicit hands.
While the role of the Council is important, the prime responsibility for combating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons lies with Member States. The 2001 UN Program of Action provides a comprehensive and dynamic framework for Member States to follow in combating the illicit small arms trade at the national, regional and international levels.
Good progress has been made in promoting regional-level cooperation, in particular. The provision of capacity-building assistance to states with development needs is an important means of enhancing regional cooperation. Australia is strongly committed to continue assisting countries in the South Pacific region to combat the problems posed by small arms through the institution of better governance and accountability. We have been actively involved in small arms disposal processes in Bougainville and the Solomon Islands, as an element of broader peace-building efforts there. Australia is also working closely with Japan to organise a second small arms workshop for Pacific Island countries, following a successful inaugural workshop we hosted in 2001.
In the lead up to the biennial meeting on small arms in mid-2003, Australia urges Member States to renew their efforts to implement the UN Program of Action. We must maintain a strong collective resolve to address effectively the humanitarian and security dimensions of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, as identified in the Secretary-General's Report.
Thank you Mr President.