Due to its location in Africa, UNREC specifically examines the relationship between security, disarmament and development. The Centre is also mindful of the linkages that exist between disarmament and arms control, and human security, gender issues, illicit trafficking in persons and drugs, crime, human rights, and governance.
UNREC conducts its activities on the African continent and covers all types of weapons, from small arms and light weapons to weapons of mass destruction. Due to the specific nature of the threats to human security in Africa, the Centre has put emphasis on activities linked to controlling the illicit trade and proliferation of small arms, and to conventional weapons such as cluster munitions, other explosive remnants of war and landmines. In particular, UNREC has lent extensive support to Member States and civil society in their implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms.