Other Processes

Some additional processes aimed to further promote armed violence reduction and prevention programmes and subsequent developmental strategies. A selection of existing processes are listed below with a short summary and have been divided into four broader categories: Disarmament, Development, Urban, and Health.

DISARMAMENT

Disarmament processes striving for a better control and regulation of small arms and light weapons

UN Programme of Action

In 2001, the UN recognized the need for international action on the global problem of the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons. The UN Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects (PoA), was agreed in July 2001 and remains the primary international agreement on the control of small arms and light weapons.

The PoA sets out a range of measures for states to take to manage all aspects of the problem, including the control of small arms transfers, regulating small arms brokering, managing stockpiles, marking and tracing small arms and assisting in PoA implementation.

A conference to review the PoA was held at the UN from 27 August to 7 September 2012.

 

Arms Trade Treaty

Countries of the world first gathered at the United Nations in New York on July 2012 for an historical initiative in the area of conventional arms: to negotiate an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), a potential multilateral treaty that would regulate and establish high common standards for international trade in conventional arms. As it was impossible to reach agreement on a final text, the General Assembly of the UN has decided to convene a Final Conference on the ATT scheduled for 18–28 March 2013. On 2 April 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted the ATT.

The ATT is part of a larger global effort begun in 2001 with the adoption of the non-legally binding UN Program of Action (PoA).

     

    International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS)

    In collaboration with partners worldwide, the United Nations has developed International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS) that provide clear, practical and comprehensive guidance to practioners and policymakers on fundamental aspects of small arms and light weapons control.  

    The standards are used by the the more than 20 UN entities that make up the UN Coordinating Action on Small Arms (CASA) mechanism in order to ensure that the UN as a whole consistently delivers, upon request, the highest quality advice and support to Member States on putting in place effective controls over the full life-cycle of small arms and light weapons. 

    The standards fit within the global framework created by the UN Programme of Action (see above), the International Tracing Instrument and the UN Firearms Protocol; and build upon best practices elaborated at regional and sub-regional levels.

     

     

    DEVELOPMENT

    Additional processes to promote peace and development for countries affected by conflict and fragility

    International Network on Conflict and Fragility (INCAF)

    The International Network on Conflict and Fragility (INCAF) is a unique decision-making forum which brings together diverse stakeholders to support development outcomes in the world’s most challenging situations.

    Based on a whole-of-government approach, INCAF adopts an inclusive approach to its work by engaging with multiple policy communities and partner countries. INCAF was established in 2009 as a subsidiary body of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC).

    INCAF helps development partners, international organisations and partner countries to respond to conflict and fragility by working on cutting-edge policy and programming and by acting as a dialogue facilitator between development partners and partner countries.

     

    International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding

    The International Dialogue, created in Accra in 2008, is an international forum for political dialogue between countries affected by conflict and fragility, their international partners, and civil society. Together they seek to identify, agree upon and implement more effective ways to support transitions from conflict and fragility and build peaceful states.

    The Dialogue is open to all key stakeholders in this field of work. It engages with other international fora, in particular the newly established Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation, and with relevant actors and groups of actors globally, regionally, and at the country level. 

     

    The New Deal

    The New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States is the result of work undertaken by the International Dialogue and Peacebuilding and Statebuilding since 2010. The New Deal, which outlines and commits signatories to a new framework for engaging with fragile states, was presented at the Fourth High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan (30 November 2011), and has since been endorsed by more than 40 countries and international organisations.

     

     

    URBAN

    Processes working at cities level

    Safer Cities Programme

    Safer Cities Programme was launched in 1996. It’s initial focus was on Africa, at the request of African mayors who were concerned by the extent of violence in their cities and wanted help with the development of prevention strategies at city level.

    The Safer Cities Programme of UN-Habitat has been accumulating theoretical and practical knowledge on urban violence prevention issues for almost fifteen years. Focused on urban management and vulnerabilities regarding urban violence at a local level, Safer Cities has developed specific tools and strategies to address urban vulnerabilities vis-à-vis violence and offences. Key actor of a culture of urban safety and reference center of knowledge and good practices on urban safety and social cohesion, Safer Cities Programme provides its partners and other interested and implicated organizations with knowledge, tools and technical support to contribute to the development of urban safety and social cohesion.

    To date, Safer Cities initiatives are well under way in several African cities and are also being replicated at the national level in some of the pilot countries in Africa. The programme has been extended to Latin America, Asia and Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, catering for an increasing need for exchange of information, knowledge and good practices between national, regional and local governments as well as civil society, non-governmental organisations and the international level.

     

     

    HEALTH

    Processes that target health prevention and promotion

    Violence Prevention Alliance

    The Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA) is a network of WHO Member States, international agencies and civil society organizations working to prevent violence. VPA participants share an evidence-based public health approach that targets the risk factors leading to violence and promotes multi-sectoral cooperation. Participants are committed to implement the recommendations of the World report on violence and health.