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Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence

The proliferation, illicit trafficking and misuse of arms continue to present major obstacles to peace and stability in Africa. The widespread availability of illegal arms fuels armed conflicts, feeds terrorism and crimes, thus posing serious challenges to peace, security and development. Threatened by illicit flows of small arms and light weapons (SALW), communities in Africa often face serious ferocity and devastation.

The Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence highlights the international campaign to stop the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons. This year the Week of Action will take place from the 5th to 12th June 2017 and The theme for this year is:  The Road to Development and Peace Begins With Silencing the Guns.The link between gun violence, conflict and development are well demonstrated by the protracted conflicts on the African Continent. In addition, terrorists use the proliferation, diversion and illicit trafficking of SALW and their ammunition to reinforce their capabilities and means of terror.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals now encompasses peace and security as a key component. Importantly, the 2030 Agenda includes a significant reduction of all forms of violence and of illicit arms flows among its targets. This increasing number of initiatives to counter illicit guns reflects the international community’s efforts to eradicate the destruction inflicted by gun violence.

Against this backdrop, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) invites all the United Nations Country Teams across Africa to join us in commemorating the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence.