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 their ammunition, as well as fostering non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). In doing so, UNREC facilitates harmonised implementation of disarmament and non-proliferation instruments and standards existing at the global, regional and sub-regional level.
Initiatives include:
- Supporting States in identifying gaps in national arms control strategies and measures.
- Assisting States in drafting national reports and national implementation action plans as requested by international instruments including, but not limited to UNSCR 1540 (2004) and the UN Programme of Action and thereby enhancing transparency and building confidence.
- Assisting States in marking, registration and tracing of SALW in line with the International Tracing Instrument, the International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS), and standards endorsed at sub-regional levels.
- Supporting States in enhancing security and facilitating management of national stocks of arms and ammunition in line with the ISACS and the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG)
- Assisting States in the destruction of seized, obsolete or surplus SALW and ammunition in line with the ISACS and the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG).
- Providing legal advice to States seeking to update or overhaul national legislation and legal frameworks relating to SALW and WMD by conducting comparative legal studies, contrasting existing laws with international instruments and emitting legal opinions on proposed bills.