Chair, Excellencies,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Nordic countries, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and my own country, Finland.
The illicit production, transfer, diversion and misuse of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition continue to pose serious threats to peace, security and sustainable development. Across regions, these weapons fuel armed conflict, organized crime, terrorism and violence, undermine state institutions and hinder peacebuilding efforts.
This meeting provides a crucial opportunity to advance the effective implementation of the Programme of Action as well as the International Tracing Instrument. More than twenty years after their adoption, these instruments remain central to international efforts to prevent and address the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, as well as achieving the 2030 Agenda. At the same time, evolving security environments require renewed commitment and concrete action.
Strengthening coherence with related international frameworks is essential. The Nordic countries underscore the importance of reinforcing synergies with the Arms Trade Treaty, the Firearms Protocol and the Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management. Effective control of small arms and light weapons cannot be achieved without systematic attention to ammunition and its diversion risks.
Rapid technological developments are reshaping the landscape of weapons production, marking and tracing. New technologies offer significant opportunities to improve transparency, tracing and accountability, while also presenting new challenges. The Nordic countries support efforts to better integrate relevant technologies into the implementation of the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument, including through practical and forward-looking recommendations. In this context, we welcome initiatives aimed at identifying both risks and opportunities as well as developing recommendations associated with emerging technologies, including the work of the open-ended technical expert group.
Preventing diversion remains a shared priority. Transparent and timely information-sharing, including on confirmed cases of diversion, strengthens mutual trust and enhances national export control and risk assessment processes. Such cooperation is key to disrupting illicit supply chains.
The impacts of illicit small arms and light weapons are deeply gendered. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by armed violence, including through gender-based violence facilitated by the availability of illicit weapons. The Nordic countries stress that gender-responsive arms control policies are not optional but essential. Integrating a gender perspective across policy frameworks, and ensuring the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in decision-making, contributes to more effective and sustainable peace and security outcomes.
While states bear the primary responsibility for implementation, inclusive cooperation is essential. Civil society, academia and international organizations play an indispensable role. In this regard, we highlight the work of existing funding mechanisms and research programmes such as UNSCAR, SALIENT, UNIDIR, ATT Voluntary Trust Fund and other regional and bilateral mechanism for international assistance and cooperation addressing the challenges of small arms and light weapons’ proliferation and control.
Mr. Chair,
The Nordic countries strongly support the UN Programme of Action on SALW and the International Tracing Instrument, and the Arms Trade Treaty. We call on all delegations to engage constructively and show the political will necessary to deliver a balanced outcome that accelerates implementation. We remain committed to working with all partners towards consensus.
Thank you.