Madam Chair,

I am honoured to speak on behalf of the member countries of the Human Security Network, namely Austria, Canada, Chile, Greece, Ireland, Jordan, Mali, Norway, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Switzerland and Thailand.

I would like to congratulate you on your election as chair of this important meeting on the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade of Small Arms and Light Weapons and assure you of our complete collaboration.

I will speak in my capacity as the current chair of the Human Security Network and in my capacity as representative of Mali.

Madam Chair,

Two years ago, the United Nations member states met here and agreed to a Programme of Action whose implementation will go a long way toward mitigating the scourge of small arms proliferation.

We gather now to assess our respective efforts as a community of governments and regional and international organizations. We are committed to taking stock not only of the actions we have taken since the programme of action was adopted in 2001, but also of the problems that have hindered its implementation and what we must do in the coming years to meet the Programme's primary objective, which is to reduce the suffering endured by millions of people due to the negative impact of small arms. According to some estimates, some 1300 people are killed every day by small arms.

It is this fundamental objective to which the thirteen partners of the Human Security Network, along with others, are devoting their energy. Individually and collectively, we have demonstrated our clear commitment to reducing the threat that gun violence poses to the safety and well-being of people all over the world.

Madam Chair,

The Human Security Network is uniquely placed to offer a global perspective to our proceedings. As representatives of nations from diverse regions and settings, we became aware early on of this threat that represents such a great impediment to social and economic development. It is because of this threat that we have repeatedly urged the international community to intensify and increasingly coordinate its efforts against the illicit proliferation and trade of small arms.

With this in mind, we call for the full implementation of those agreements and standards that exist at a regional and global level to increase control over small arms and light weapons availability, reduce demand and prevent misuse. Key among these are the Firearms Protocol of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime, the UN Programme of Action, and the Basic Principles of the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials. These documents are important tools in our collective struggle to reduce as much as possible the human cost of small arms.

Madam Chair,

The members of the Human Security Network also call for special attention to the plight of children affected by armed violence. The international community has certainly invested a considerable effort in addressing the problem, particularly by adopting appropriate measures and instruments. However, this work must be consolidated through the effective implementation of the aforementioned documents if we are to ensure that children live free from the fear that these weapons will be used against them, and to ensure that they never grow to become perpetrators of armed violence themselves.

At the recent ministerial meeting in Graz, the Human Security Network adopted a child rights training curriculum to facilitate training in this area for civilian and military personnel participating in operations in conflict areas. Among other issues, the curriculum deals with small arms and their effect on children.

According to some estimates, two million children have been killed and a further six million injured or maimed by small arms and light weapons in the past decade. Given that the use of small arms fosters a culture of violence, it is crucial to reinforce the link between child rights protection and the struggle against the use and illicit trade of these weapons.

Madam Chair,

Recognizing that we must do more to ensure human security in the face of armed violence, the Human Security Network, with the assistance of the Geneva Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, has undertaken consultations with NGOs and UN agencies on the humanitarian aspects of small arms proliferation. We are pleased to present to this assembly the results of these consultations in the publication entitled "Putting People First: Human Security Perspectives on the Availability and Misuse of Small Arms".

On the basis of emerging research and personal accounts from doctors, development workers, humanitarian personnel and victims of small arms misuse, the Network has identified elements of a people-centred approach to small arms. We believe that special attention must be paid to the humanitarian and human dimension when implementing the programme of action. In consequence, we consider it urgent to take various measures such as tightening UN arms embargoes, integrating the concept of "community safety" into development assistance programs, tackling gender-based violence, controlling arms transfers and promoting community-based policing.

Madam Chair,

Combatting the proliferation and illicit use of small arms will remain a key priority for the Human Security Network.

In this regard, we launch one more urgent appeal to the international community to redouble its efforts and remain focussed on reducing the fear and the number of victims of this scourge.

Thank you.