Delivered By: HE Mohamed Abushahab, Ambassador and Permanent Representative
Mr. President,
I would first like to congratulate Sierra Leone on assuming the Presidency of the Security Council and to commend the Russian Federation for its sound leadership of the Council last month.
I also thank Sierra Leone for organizing this open debate and His Excellency Mr. Musa Timothy Kabba for presiding over this morning’s meeting, as well as the briefers for their insightful contributions.
Mr. President,
The Secretary-General’s recent report underscores that the proliferation, misuse, and diversion of small arms and light weapons remain major drivers of armed violence, instability, and terrorism.
Across regions, they continue to fuel conflict and empower terrorist, criminal, and illegal armed groups.
In the Sahel, in the Horn of Africa, in Latin America and elsewhere, their proliferation undermines United Nations peacebuilding and stabilization efforts, thus prolonging conflict and deepening the suffering of affected populations.
All the while, new technologies are exacerbating the risks of proliferation.
To combat this scourge, States must ensure that small arms and light weapons that are produced, transferred through, or held under their jurisdiction, are regulated in an accountable manner to avoid them falling into the wrong hands.
This requires effective national control measures, strengthened border management, and cooperation among States.
In this regard, the United Arab Emirates recognizes the efforts of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons and the importance of continuing to exchange information and enhance coordination at all levels.
Such cooperation must also be regionally anchored. The UAE continues to support Arab efforts to curb the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons. It is an active contributor to capacity-building and technical cooperation under the joint program of the League of Arab States and the European Union to combat illicit arms trafficking.
Regional initiatives, such as the African Union’s Silencing the Guns initiative, demonstrate the vital role of cooperation and coordination among neighboring countries in addressing the illicit flow of small arms and light weapons.
Mr. President,
The human dimension of this challenge must likewise remain central. It is a sobering fact that nearly nine in ten documented incidents of sexual violence involve firearms.
This grim reality reminds us that women and girls are among the principal victims of small arms proliferation. Their full, equal, and meaningful participation in prevention efforts is therefore essential to achieving lasting peace.
Similarly, youth are disproportionately affected and increasingly play a key role in the efforts to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Mr. President,
The Security Council, within its mandate, must continue to monitor trends regarding the illicit use, flow, and diversion of small arms and light weapons.
The Council should update and improve the tools it uses to monitor these developments, including by using technology, to better tackle new methods of diversion and misuse.
Thank you, Mr. President.