The United Nations has warned that the widespread proliferation of small arms worldwide fuels violence and terrorism and exacts a devastating humanitarian toll.
In a briefing during an open discussion at the UN Security Council, Adedeji Ebo, Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, said there are more than a billion firearms traded globally, and their ongoing proliferation is a key driver of multiple security crises facing the world today. He emphasized the urgent need to address the consequences of illegal small and light firearms, noting that these weapons have far-reaching effects on human security, development, and social stability.
Ebo highlighted that illicit trafficking and the use of small arms contribute to armed violence, terrorism, and organized crime. In some conflict zones, such weapons have been responsible for up to 30 percent of civilian deaths, and 88 percent of documented cases of conflict-related sexual violence involve firearms. He also pointed to the broader socioeconomic impact, explaining that the proliferation of small arms disrupts education and healthcare systems and undermines sustainable development.
The UN official called for comprehensive management of weapons and ammunition, including enhanced national capacities, improved monitoring systems, and the adoption of innovative technologies. He urged Security Council members to integrate small arms issues into relevant mandates, including peacekeeping and disarmament operations, and stressed the importance of gender-sensitive approaches and youth engagement, given that young people account for 37 percent of homicide victims globally each year.
Ebo also highlighted recent international achievements, including the 2023 adoption of the Global Framework for the Management of Conventional Ammunition, which addresses long-standing gaps in preventing the diversion of arms and mitigating accidental explosions at ammunition sites. He welcomed the outcomes of the Fourth Review Conference in 2024 on the UN Program of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, which reaffirmed states’ commitment to combat illicit manufacturing and trafficking of weapons.
