Saudi Arabia urges international cooperation to combat small arms trafficking

NEW YORK — Saudi Arabia stresses the Arab Group’s interest in combating small arms and light weapons trafficking in light of the security, humanitarian, and economic consequences. In a statement to the United Nations (UN), the Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil, stressed the importance of the Program of Action as a consensus-based UN framework for combating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and for boosting trust and cooperation among states. Alwasil emphasized that the program constitutes a standalone international framework, while ensuring that its implementation does not overlap with any other international mechanisms lacking broad consensus. To implement the program, he also highlighted the importance of international cooperation and technical assistance, including the transfer of relevant technologies and the development of national capacities. During the statement, Saudi Arabia called for continued study of the impacts of modern technological developments, with a view to addressing the challenges associated with this phenomenon.