Illicit small arms and light weapons, anti-personnel landmines and explosive remnants of war represent a major threat to stability and security in many countries.

They:

• kill and maim innocent civilians, many of them children
• create a climate of fear and apprehension
• destroy trust between communities
• fuel crime and terrorism
• hold back sustainable development.

Our main tools in fighting this scourge are:

• supporting international efforts to control the flow of arms and to ban certain types of weapons outright
• helping affected states and communities to disrupt uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and trafficking operations
• assisting victims.

For more information see the sections on Small Arms and Light Weaponsand Mine Action.