Harmonizing responses to small arms threat focus of Brussels conference

BRUSSELS, 28 May 2008 - Experts from regional, international and non-governmental organizations gathered today in Brussels for a conference co-sponsored by the OSCE to discuss the global threat posed by Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW).

The three-day conference, the first such regional gathering, will facilitate debate on the proliferation, illicit trade and use of SALW, with the aim of harmonizing responses to the threat.

"Co-ordination and co-operation between different organizations is of crucial importance if we want to effectively address the problem of illicit small arms," said Ambassador Aapo Polho, Head of the Mission of Finland to NATO, who represented the Finnish OSCE Chairmanship at the conference. "This is one of our priority areas during Finland's OSCE Chairmanship, and we believe that this conference will prove useful in helping organizations to learn from each others' experiences and co-ordinate future action."

During its Chairmanship Finland will seek to intensify the activities of the OSCE in the area of SALW and surplus ammunition with regard to both norms and practice, added Ambassador Polho.

The Synergy Conference for Regional Organizations on the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action is hosted by NATO, co-sponsored by the OSCE and supported by the United Nations.

Conference participants will discuss how to further co-operation and promote best practices between regional organizations on implementing the UN Programme of Action. The event is taking place ahead of the Biannual Meeting of States on the UN Programme of Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in SALW, scheduled to take place in July in New York.