ITF at RevCon3
The “Third United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects” was held between 18–29 June 2018 at United Nations in New York, USA.
Sabina Beber Boštjančič, ITF Deputy Director, attended the conference as part of the delegation of the Republic of Slovenia. The debate emphasized the issues relating to reducing illicit trade of small arms and light weapons (SALW), gender perspective, inclusion of the ammunition regulation in the framework of the Plan of Action, technological advancement and relation of SALW to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ambassador Bavdaž Kuret, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Slovenia to the United Nations, stressed the importance of physical security and stockpile management (PSSM), the need of SALW surplus reduction, and expressed the role of ITF in this field: »ITF addresses the threats posed by improperly stored SALW through physical security and stockpile management, ensuring safe storage conditions and thus preventing unplanned explosions. Through a sustainable approach, ITF's programs include professional training, transferring knowledge and expertise to the local capacities, and hence ensuring safe stockpile management and surplus reduction in the long term.«
The countries reaffirmed their commitment to eliminate human suffering caused by the illicit trade in SALW and continue to recognize that SALW remain one of the elements that undermine human rights laws and have devastating humanitarian and socio economic consequences.
Due to the lack of resources and insufficient capacities in many countries, the need for enhanced and effective international cooperation and assistance in SALW remains a priority.
