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UNREC: Advancing Disarmament , Non-Proliferation and Arms Control in Africa.

The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) is dedicated to advancing peace, security, and sustainable development throughout Africa. UNREC supports Member States by providing technical assistance, policy guidance, capacity building, and advocacy to implement effective disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation measures. These efforts help countries meet international standards, strengthen national security, and promote regional peace, aligning with the African Union’s “Silencing the Guns by 2030” initiative. In line with the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace, which calls for integrating disarmament into broader peace and security strategies, UNREC focuses on curbing the flow of arms and addressing the underlying causes of conflict. UNREC also works to integrate disarmament into other sustainable development goals, such as reducing violence (SDG 16), promoting gender equality (SDG 5), and fostering resilient communities (SDG 11). Furthermore, UNREC is actively developing links between conventional weapons management and the prevention of violent extremism, emphasizing the importance of coordinated collective action, with community-focused approaches.

Small Arms and Light Weapons / Conventional Weapons
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Small Arms and Light Weapons / Conventional Weapons

As the illicit circulation and proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) is a phenomenon which is not limited by States boundaries, UNREC promotes regional and sub-regional cooperation in the fight against them...
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GENDER AND DISARMAMENT

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See the top, latest stories and events coming from UNREC

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DISARMAMENT AGENDA

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What we do?

UNREC’s core efforts consist of promoting universalization of disarmament and arms-control instruments and assisting African States in their effective implementation, with a view to curtailing illicit trafficking and proliferation of arms, enhancing governmental control over national stocks, and increasing national and regional security and stability.
To achieve these objectives, the Centre employs five main approaches which are mutually complementing and reinforcing:

What we doSuper User
UNREC works to empower stakeholders to effectively contribute to disarmament and non-proliferation measures by changing the attitudes of and stimulating critical thinking by individuals towards social...

What we doSuper User
Through outreach and advocacy, UNREC promotes disarmament and arms-control in Africa. Also, the Centre fosters understanding of the links between disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control on the...

What we doSuper User
The Centre seeks to build capacities of national authorities in controlling arms and ammunition, preventing their diversion and curtailing their illicit trafficking and proliferation. Initiatives inc...

What we doSuper User
UNREC provides technical assistance to African States and regional economic communities (RECs) in increasing control over, reducing the risk of diversion and combatting illicit trafficking of SALW and...

What we doSuper User
As the illicit circulation and proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) is a phenomenon which is not limited by States boundaries, UNREC promotes regional and sub-regional cooperation in t...

Featured Publications

UNREC Upcoming Events

End of January 2024, Lomé-TOGO

Regional Workshop on the Convention of Certain CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS (CCW) IN AFRICA

End of January 2024, Lomé-TOGO

29th February to 1st March 2024, in Lomé-TOGO

Regional Meeting in Preparation of the Fourth Review Conference (RevCon4) on UN PoA SALW for West and Central African States

4th to 5th March 2024 , in Nairobi-KENYA

Regional Meeting in Preparation of the Fourth Review Conference (RevCon4) on UN PoA SALW for East and South African States

4th to 5th March 2024 , in Nairobi-KENYA

UNREC Relevant Personalities

(...) illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition by organized criminal networks and gangs remains an obstacle to public safety and hinders sustainable development.
Radha DAY
Radha DAY
Chief, Regional Disarmament, Information and Outreach Branch. Office for Disarmament Affairs
Silencing the Guns in Africa is an ideal that can be reached through strong policy commitments and practical programmes, such as the Amnesty Month. (...) and we stand ready to explore additional avenues for such collaboration.
Adedeji EBO
Adedeji EBO
Director and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
Women alone do not hold the responsibility for peace, but they hold the right to be part of the decisions leading to peace.(...)Disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control is a vital area for implementing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.
Izumi Nakamitsu
Izumi Nakamitsu
Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
(... ) the Centre has won the trust of its partners to create a climate of collaboration and consensus with state actors, supranational and supranational and sub-national partners.
Anselme Nahmtante YABOURI
Anselme Nahmtante YABOURI
Director of the centre
“Disarmament can play an important role in ending existing conflicts and preventing the outbreak of new strife. Disarmament and arms control processes provide the breathing space for confidence to be built, stability to be strengthened and trust to be established.”
AntĂłnio GuterresAntĂłnio Guterres
UN Secretary-General