Informal Meeting on
Transfer Control Principles for
Small Arms and Light Weapons

Geneva, Switzerland

27-31 August 2007

Side-Events

Monday, August 27

1. Small Arms Survey: "Launch of the Small Arms Survey 2007" Sandwich lunch 13h15 outside the Plenary Room Launch 13h40 - 14h45 in the Plenary Room

   The Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City offers new and updated information on small arms production, stockpiles, transfers, and measures, including a special focus on transfer controls. This year's thematic section explores the complex issue of urban violence with case studies on Burundi and Brazil as well as a photo essay by award-winning combat photographer Lucian Read. This edition also features chapters on lessons learned from the tracing of ammunition, the relationship between gun prices and conflict, and the role of small arms in South Sudan. The main findings of this volume will be presented.

Tuesday, August 28

1. Safer World: "Enhancing the UN Programme of Action implementation by Combating Diversion" Room 6
   The prevention and reduction of unauthorised diversion of SALW transfers is widely acknowledged to be a critical issue, and the PoA includes strong and unambiguous commitments on this matter. Every State is committed to the principle that States should take full account of the risks of diversion of SALW to unauthorised recipients when considering whether to authorise an SALW transfer. This event will explore ways that states can productively promote and improve implementation of this commitment, within the context of the PoA.

2. Germany in cooperation with the Small Arms Survey: "Conventional Ammunition in Surplus" Room 5
   A United Nations Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) will convene in 2008 to consider steps to enhance cooperation with regard to the issue of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus. The purpose of the side-event is to provide more detailed information on this process.

   An overview of the fundamental issues relevant to conventional ammunition in surplus, ranging from the basics of stockpile management - including surveillance of stocks, accounting procedures and surplus destruction - to issues of special concern, such as the threat of illicit diversion or the dangers posed by liquid propellants will be given. To this end, the German Federal Foreign Office cooperates with the Small Arms Survey which will also produce a policy brief to be published in November 2007 designed to be a reference for all stakeholders involved in the process.

Wednesday, August 29

1. Viva Rio and PRIO: "Presentation of Report: Tracking the guns: diversion of small arms to illicit markets in Rio de Janeiro" Room 6
   This report outlines some of the possible means by which foreign made small arms and light weapons were diverted from legal trade into illicit markets in Brazil.

2. Institute for Security Studies: "A regional approach to realising arms control in Africa: implementing the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Firearms, Ammunition and Related Matters" Room 5
   For a number of years, the Arms Management Programme (AMP) of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) has been collaborating with the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) to devise processes and mechanisms to implement the SADC Protocol on Firearms, Ammunition and Related Matters. SARPCCO is the central regional organisation in Southern Africa responsible for implementing the SADC Protocol. The event will focus on the recommendations for standard operating procedures relating to the implementation of key elements of the SADC Protocol.

Thursday, August 30

1. Groupe de Recherche et d'Information sur la Paix et la Sécurité (GRIP): "Tracing illicit small arms and light weapons: progress and challenges in the implementation of the international tracing instrument." Room 5/6
   The event aims to review the progress and challenges in the implementation of the International Instrument on Tracing Illicit SALW. Speakers include representatives of international and sub-regional organisations as well as of research centres.

Friday, August 31

1. The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR): "Resource Mobilisation" Room 5/6
   UNIDIR will present a prototype of a mechanism to match needs with resources. Once finalized, the web-based mechanism will help states identify priorities for SALW assistance. It will also serve as a platform for states to exchange information on their assistance needs and available resources.

   During the side-event, UNIDIR will walk participants through the structure and functions of the web-based mechanism. The floor will then be open for comments and input. UNIDIR will incorporate the feedback into the development of this mechanism.