The United Nations opened its annual small arms conference on Monday, with Secretary-General Kofi Annan saying the conference would focus on the quarter of the global $4 billion gun trade that is illicit. “These weapons may be small, but they cause mass destruction,” said Annan. “Our energy, our emphasis, and our anger is directed against illegal weapons. Our priorities are effective enforcement, better controls and regulation, safer stockpiling, and weapons collection and destruction.” Though the U.N. program of action had been adopted by 140 states, Annan noted that there is still an urgent need for U.N. member states to introduce or update legislation meeting the standards of the program and reach agreements on effective approaches to gun owner certification. “Without such certification, any effort to regulate the trade and brokering in small arms and light weapons will be found lacking,” said Annan. Before the start of the conference, Annan was presented with a “million face” petition sponsored by a number of non-governmental organizations calling on the international community to agree on an international arms trade treaty. A million people in 160 countries had their portraits taken to support the initiative. The “Small Arms Survey 2006” report will be released on Monday.
