On 31st January 2023, UNREC submitted a proposal for UNSCAR funding to help mainstream disarmament work among PDAs across areas of operation under the three Regional Centres. The proposal is a result of collaborative effort together with RDIOB, UNRCPD and UNLIREC.
Find more on UNSCAR:UN Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation through this link: https://www.un.org/disarmament/UNSCAR/
From 31 st January to 2 February 2023, UNREC participated remotely in the regional workshop for Sahel/Maghreb on Technical Guidelines for Member States to facilitate the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2370 (2017) on preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons, held in Madrid, Spain. UNREC intervened in the session highlighting the regional dimension of the implementation of the Security Council resolution, including outlining the general situation about the illicit proliferation of…
From 31st January to 2 February in Abuja, Nigeria, UNREC participated in the inaugural High Panel and then the proceeding of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Global Conference on Enabling Customs in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations. UNREC’s presentation on Arms control and customs challenges at border points in fragile and conflict-affected situations well received by both the organizers and delegates. UNREC further discussed potential areas to further cooperation with WCO…
From 31 January to 2 February 2023, in Lomé, Togo, UNREC, together with the ECOWAS Small Arms Division, co-organized a regional workshop for the establishment of National Control List by ECOWAS Member States and Universalization of ATT in West Africa. UNREC participated in the preparation committee suring which it recommended the invitation of the Head of the ATT Secretariat. During the workshop, UNREC made an opening statement, presented its work…
From 12 to 17 January 2023, in Brazzaville, Congo, UNREC took part in the 54th Meeting of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa (UNSAC). UNREC made a presentation to report its work in Central Africa. To synergize and promote collaboration, UNREC conducted side meetings with UNOWAS and UNOCA, who have agreed to include UNREC in annual meetings of Peace and Development Advisors (PDAs) that…
On 29 December 2022, UNREC participated in a press briefing of the National Authority for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons of Togo on their activities report during the year 2022.
On 20 December 2022, UNREC submitted five project proposals to RDIOB for review, which include two proposals for consideration under UNPDF, one on Capacity building in higher education for conflict resolution in Togo, another one on a joint UNREC and UNMAS proposal for implementation in the DRC, and a fifth proposal on WAM and PSSM in Africa.
On 16 December 2022, UNREC submitted a proposal for UNSCAR Funding to help mainstream disarmament work among PDAs across areas of operation under the three Regional Centres. The draft proposal has been shared with RDIOB, UNRCPD and UNLIREC for joint review.
On 14 December 2022, UNREC participated in a joint UNCT assessment meeting of the situation in Togo and in the Sahel with WFP regional Director on visit.
On 12 December 2022, UNREC took part in the 4th Coordination Meeting of Regional Centres which requested UNREC to draft a joint project for the 3 regional centres for further review together with RDIOB.
On 09 December 2022, UNREC participated in DSRSG/)(C HoM for UNOWAS briefing on the Accra Initiative meat to address the scourge of violent extremism in the west-African subregion.
On 23 November 2022, delegates from the fifteen National Commissions on Small Arms and Light Weapons from the ECOWAS Region visited UNREC premises led by the ECOWAS Commission. The latter signed a statement on behalf of the Commission and all 15 National Commissions thanking UNREC for its valuable support and calling for strengthened cooperation.
From 8 to 9 November 2022 in Abuja, Nigeria, UNREC participated in the an ECOWAS-UNIDIR Regional Seminar on Disarmament and Arms Control. Related read-out has been shared with RDIOB.
On 3 November 2022, UNREC participated in a UNCT meeting with national counterparts of Togo co-chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator and the Minister Secretary General of the Presidency centred on prospective/planned activities for 2023.
On 28 October 2022, UNREC took active part in the UN Day celebration alongside the UNCT in the host country, with an extensive interaction with the youth at Université de Lomé’s campus.
From 27-29 October 2022, UNREC participated and contributed to the 3rd ECOWAS Forum on Education for the Culture of Peace through Intra- and Inter-Religious Dialogue, in Lomé, Togo.
From 18 to 19 October 2022, UNREC attended and contributed to the Regional Workshop on Universalization and Effective Implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) in Eastern Africa, held in Mombasa, Kenya.
From 16 to 29 October 2022, UNREC Director was on Mission to UNHQ to:
i) follow the proceedings of the First Committee, including the sessions on Regional Disarmament,ii) consult with ODA’s leadership and Heads of branches and relevant programmes/projects/ field offices, as well as withiii) relevant UN entities at HQ level and withiv) Member States including beneficiaries of UNREC support and potential technical and funding partners.
This was the occasion to organize…
On 28 September 2022, UNREC briefed the Chief of RDIOB on the Regional Centre, including the office background, context of its establishment and evolution, present team composition, flagship initiatives, donor engagement and proposals for interaction between the headquarters and the Regional Centre.
On 22 September 2022, UNREC participated in the “Africa Amnesty Month High-level Dialogue - Continent-wide Campaign on achieving the Goal of Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2030”, in Addis Ababa.
On 21 September 2022, International Peace Day, UNREC participated in the high-level panel around the theme, “Strengthening Social Cohesion to Build Peace”, organized by the Ministry of Youth and Youth Employment.
On 21 September 2022, UNREC attended the ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of an Innovation and Technology Hub at the University of Lomé, a project financed by UNDP.
On 7 September 2022, UNREC took part in the National Launch of the African Amnesty Month by the Togolese National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
On 5 September 2022, UNREC co-organized the Launching of the African Amnesty Month project in Lomé, Togo with participation of the AUPSC, Togo Government and UNODA.
On 16 August 2022, UNREC joined RECSA and the Liberia National Commission on Small Arms (LiNCSA) for the official launch of the 2022 Africa Amnesty Month project in Liberia. The event attracted a large turnout including delegates from the diplomatic community in Monrovia. UNREC delivered a statement on behalf of UNODA. LiNCSA highlighted its appreciation for UNREC support, including regarding follow-up to the former’s 5-year strategic plan. The event has…
On 12, 23 and 26 August 2022, UNREC held coordination meetings with the African Union, Togo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Togolese National Commission on SALW and RECSA on preparations for the continental launch of the 2022 edition of the Africa Amnesty Month for the voluntary surrender of illicit SALW. The launch is scheduled for 5 August in Lomé, Togo.
On 11 August 2022, UNREC received Mr. Espoir Fadu, an artist and civil society activist on possible collaboration for the upcoming International Day of Peace.
From 26 to 27 July 2022, UNREC took part in the Coordination workshop for the Project on “Supporting Universalization and Effective Implementation of the BWC in Africa, in Geneva, Switzerland. The workshop discussed various segments of the project and collectively proposed an implementation plan. UNREC participated in a panel on lessons learned and best practices from project implementation in Africa, for which prior written inputs have been submitted. Furthermore, collaboration…
On 8 July 2022, UNREC Director completed his mission to HQ where he participated in the eighth Biannual Biennial Meeting of States (BMS8) on the UN Programme of Action (UNPoA) to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light weapons in all its aspects and held strategic consultations with ODA/HQ and a few other UN entities at HQ level, Member States and donors and potential donors.
On 7 July 2022, UNREC participated in the First Informal Dialogue on International Cooperation and Assistance for Ammunition Management held online by UNIDIR.
On 30 June 2022, UNREC presented on its PSSM activities in Africa at a side event by ECOWAS held at the Ghanian Permanent Mission to the UN, in the margins of the BMS8.
On 30 June 2022, on the side lines of the BMS8, UNREC contributed to the Parliamentary Forum side event on "Connecting the Dots: Enhancing Implementation of the Women, Peace & Security, UN PoA and 2030 Agendas - through increased parliamentary engagement and action in international processes”.
From 27 June to 8 July 2022, UNREC Director participated in the eighth Biannual Biennial Meeting of States (BMS8) on the UN Programme of Action (UNPoA) to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light weapons in all its aspects and held strategic consultations with ODA/HQ and a few other UN entities at HQ level, Member States and donors and potential donors.
On 24 June 2022, UNREC took part in the ceremony of Reforestation in Aneho, Togo by the UNCT where the Director made a speech on behalf of the Resident Coordinator.
On 23 June 2022, UNREC delivered a presentation at the online regional briefing on the UNIDIR/UNODA to stimulate thinking and exchange ideas on substantive issues in preparation for BMS8 on the PoA and ITI.
From 21 to 22 June 2022, UNREC delivered two presentations at the Regional Seminar for Africa on Parliamentary Action for Prevention of SALW related violence, in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
On 16 June 2022, UNREC participated in a zoom call with all involved in the Africa Amnesty Month (ComNat of Togo, UNODA UNREC/CAB, AU) to finalize the concept note and budget of the project’s activities for Togo.
On 14 June 2022, UNREC held discussions with the Promediation Mission in Togo at its office. The aim of the mission was to assess the terrorist threats in West-Africa in light of the recent trends of spill-over toward coastal States.
Synergies and Complementarities between the A TT, the ECOWAS Convention on SALW, the UNPoA and Other Related Instruments
2015.
UNREC and Its Partners' Contribution to the United nations integrated stragy for the Sahel
Technical Assistance to the Government of Mali in Controlling Small Arms and Light Weapons
Gender dimension of the arms trade treaty
A guide to parliamentary action in support of disarmament for security and sustainable development
Assessment Survey on Small Arms in the Sahel Region and Neighboring Countries
UNODA report on Programmes Financed From Voluntary Contributions 2019-2020
UNREC Disarmament Fact Sheet
Disarmament Education: United Nations Resources for Learning
Making Room for Improvement Gender Dimensions of the Life-cycle Management of Ammunition
Our most serious shortcoming – and here I refer to the entire international community – is our inability to prevent crises. The United Nations was born from war. Today we must be here for peace.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Details
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
Region
Middle Africa
UN membership date
20-Sep-60
Population (000, 2018)
84 005a
Surface area (km2)
2 344 858b
Capital city
Kinshasa
National currency
Congolese Franc (CDF)
Weapons of Mass Destruction
International Instruments
Entry into force
Signed
Ratified
Acceded
CTBT: Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty
04/10/1996
28/09/2004
Convention on Nuclear Safety
Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material
21/10/2004
21/09/2004
Environmental Modification Convention: Convention on the Prohibition of Military or any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques
28/02/1978
Biological Weapons Convention: Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction
10/04/1972
28/01/1977
Chemical Weapons Convention: Convention on the Prohibition of the Development,Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction
11/11/2005
14/01/1993
12/10/2005
Nuclear Terrorism Convention: International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism
02/03/2010
23/09/2010
1925 Geneva Protocol: Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare
Partial Test Ban Treaty: Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water
12/08/1963
28/10/1965
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
17/09/1968
04/08/1970
Sea-bed Treaty: Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Sea-Bed and the Ocean Floorand in the Subsoil Thereof
Treaty relating to the Use of Submarines and Noxious Gases in Warfare
Regional Instruments
Entry into force
Signed
Ratified
Acceded
Treaty of Pelindaba: African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty
11/04/1996
Conventional weapons
International Instruments
Entry into force
Signed
Ratified
Acceded
Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)
Convention on Cluster Munitions
18/03/2009
CCW: Convention On Prohibitions Or Restrictions On The Use Of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed To Be Excessively Injurious Or To Have Indiscriminate Effects (With Protocols I, Ii And Iii)
CCW Protocol II: Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, BoobyTraps and Other Devices
CCW Protocol V: Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to have Indiscriminate Effects
Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention: Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction
01/11/2002
02/05/2002
Firearms Protocol: Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition
28/10/2005
Treaty relating to the Use of Submarines and Noxious Gases in Warfare
Regional Instruments
Entry into force
Signed
Ratified
Acceded
Khartoum Declaration: Khartoum Declaration on the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons across the Neighbouring Countries of Western Sudan
23/05/2012
Kinshasa Convention: Central African Convention for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Their Ammunition and All Parts and Components that can be used for Their Manufacture, Repair and Assembly
19/11/2010
SADC Protocol: Protocol on Control of Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Materials in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Region
08/11/2004
14/08/2001
Nairobi Declaration: The Nairobi Declaration on the Problem of the Proliferation of Illicit Small Arms And Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn Of Africa
15/03/2000
Nairobi Protocol: The Nairobi Protocol for the Prevention, Control and Reduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa
05/05/2006
21/04/2004
14/06/2005
Transparency Instruments
More Details
United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA)
International Tracing Instrument: International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons
Our most serious shortcoming – and here I refer to the entire international community – is our inability to prevent crises. The United Nations was born from war. Today we must be here for peace. 
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO