Model UN Background Guide

Committee: Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC/GA1)

Topic: Small Arms and Light Weapons Proliferation

Conference Year: 2025

1. Topic Background

Small arms and light weapons (SALW) proliferation remains one of the most pressing security challenges worldwide. SALW include firearms such as pistols, rifles, machine guns, and portable weapons like rocket launchers and grenades. Their widespread availability fuels armed conflicts, exacerbates violence, and undermines peacebuilding efforts, particularly in fragile states and regions affected by insurgencies, organized crime, or political instability.

The historical roots of SALW proliferation trace back to the Cold War era, when surplus weapons flooded global markets, often as part of proxy conflicts. Since then, the end of large-scale interstate wars has not diminished the threat; instead, non-state actors, criminal groups, and insurgents have increasingly accessed these weapons. The post-Cold War period saw the international community recognize SALW as a unique challenge requiring multilateral action, culminating in initiatives such as the UN Programme of Action on SALW (2001).

In recent years, the urgency of addressing SALW proliferation has intensified due to several factors: the rise of asymmetric warfare, ongoing conflicts in regions like the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and parts of Latin America, and the growing role of illicit arms trafficking networks exploiting weak governance and porous borders. Additionally, technological advancements and the emergence of 3D-printed firearms threaten to undermine existing control mechanisms.

The COVID-19 pandemic indirectly influenced the SALW landscape by straining state capacities, disrupting arms control efforts, and in some cases, increasing domestic violence linked to firearms. Furthermore, geopolitical tensions and proxy conflicts have led to renewed arms flows, complicating peace and security efforts.

As the 2025 UN General Assembly convenes, SALW proliferation remains on DISEC’s agenda due to its direct impact on international peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights. Member States face the challenge of balancing national security interests, sovereignty concerns, and the need for effective multilateral cooperation to curb illicit arms flows and mitigate their consequences.

2. Key Actors

States

• United States: A major producer and exporter of SALW, the U.S. supports international arms control initiatives but emphasizes national sovereignty and the right to self-defense. It is actively involved in combating illicit trafficking and supports capacity-building in partner states.
• Russia: Another leading arms exporter, Russia often prioritizes state-centric approaches and has been criticized for arms transfers to conflict zones. It advocates for state sovereignty and often resists measures perceived as intrusive.
• European Union (EU) Member States: The EU collectively promotes stringent arms export controls, transparency, and international cooperation. The EU supports the UN Programme of Action and the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and funds disarmament and capacity-building programs globally.
• African Union (AU): The AU is heavily engaged due to the continent’s vulnerability to SALW proliferation. It promotes regional disarmament initiatives such as the Bamako Declaration and the Nairobi Protocol for the Prevention, Control and Reduction of SALW.
• States in conflict-affected regions: Countries in the Sahel (e.g., Mali, Niger), the Horn of Africa (e.g., Somalia), and parts of Latin America (e.g., Colombia) are frontline victims of illicit SALW flows and often call for enhanced international support and cooperation.

International Organizations

• United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA): Coordinates UN efforts on SALW control, supports implementation of the Programme of Action, and facilitates dialogue among Member States.
• UN Regional Peacekeeping Missions: Missions in Mali (MINUSMA), the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), and elsewhere work to monitor and reduce SALW impact on conflict zones.
• Interpol and UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC): Play key roles in combating illicit arms trafficking through law enforcement cooperation, intelligence sharing, and capacity-building.
• Small Arms Survey: An independent research project providing data and analysis on global SALW trends, often informing policymaking and international discussions.

3. Bloc Positions

Western Bloc (North America and Western Europe)

Generally supports robust international frameworks such as the Arms Trade Treaty, emphasizing transparency, regulation of arms exports, and combating illicit trafficking. This bloc advocates for multilateral cooperation, capacity-building in vulnerable states, and integrating SALW control into broader peace and security agendas. It also stresses human rights considerations and gender perspectives in SALW policies.

Russian and Chinese Bloc

Prioritizes state sovereignty and non-interference, often skeptical of measures perceived to restrict legitimate arms trade or national defense capabilities. This bloc tends to emphasize the responsibility of states to control SALW within their borders but resists intrusive international verification or enforcement mechanisms. It may also highlight the role of external actors in fueling conflicts through arms transfers.

African and Latin American States

These regions are among the most affected by SALW proliferation and thus advocate for increased international assistance, including financial support, technical capacity-building, and enhanced border controls. They often call for stronger enforcement of existing agreements and focus on disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs. Many emphasize the humanitarian impact of SALW and the need to address root causes such as poverty and governance deficits.

Non-Aligned and Developing States

This diverse group stresses the need for equitable access to development aid and security assistance to combat SALW proliferation. They often call for a balanced approach that respects national sovereignty and development priorities while supporting international cooperation. Many advocate for addressing the illicit trade's links to organized crime and terrorism.

4. Past UN Action

• UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (2001): The foundational global framework for SALW control, emphasizing national implementation, regional cooperation, and international assistance.
• Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) (2013): Legally binding treaty regulating international trade in conventional arms, including SALW, focusing on transparency and preventing diversion to illicit markets.
• GA Resolution 70/52 (2015): Calls for enhanced measures to prevent illicit SALW trafficking and encourages international cooperation.
• GA Resolution 74/54 (2019): Emphasizes the importance of addressing the humanitarian impact of SALW and encourages gender-sensitive approaches.
• Regular biennial meetings of states to review the Programme of Action: Provide forums for dialogue, reporting, and updating commitments.
• Various Security Council resolutions addressing SALW in specific conflict contexts (e.g., resolutions on Mali, DRC).

5. Questions a Resolution Should Answer

1. How can Member States improve national and regional mechanisms to regulate and control the manufacture, transfer, and possession of SALW?
2. What measures can be adopted to enhance transparency and information-sharing on SALW production, stockpiles, and transfers?
3. How should the international community strengthen cooperation to combat illicit SALW trafficking, including through law enforcement and border control?
4. In what ways can disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs be better supported and integrated into SALW control strategies?
5. How can SALW control efforts be aligned with broader peacebuilding, development, and human rights frameworks, including addressing gender-based violence?
6. What role should new technologies, such as blockchain or digital tracing, play in improving SALW tracking and accountability?
7. How can international assistance and capacity-building be more effectively mobilized and targeted to states most affected by SALW proliferation?

6. Further Reading

• UN Documents: Official UN reports, resolutions, and meeting records related to SALW, including Programme of Action review reports, Secretary-General reports on illicit arms trafficking, and Security Council resolutions addressing SALW in conflict zones. These provide authoritative and up-to-date information on UN policy and actions.

• Think-Tank Reports: Analyses and policy recommendations from research institutions specializing in arms control and security, such as the Small Arms Survey, SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute), and the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). These sources offer data-driven insights and assess the effectiveness of international instruments.

• News Outlets and Investigative Journalism: Coverage from reputable international media (e.g., Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera) and investigative journalism platforms that report on SALW trafficking networks, conflict impacts, and enforcement challenges. These sources provide current events context and highlight real