A global reporting mechanism on illicit small arms, weapons and ammunition to reduce the risk of their illicit trade

The EU supports the setting-up of a user-friendly global information management system on diverted or trafficked weapons and to carry out research into weapons and ammunition circulating in areas of the world affected by conflicts.

ACT

Council Decision 2013/698/CFSP of 25 November 2013 in support of a global reporting mechanism on illicit small arms and light weapons and other illicit conventional weapons and ammunition to reduce the risk of their illicit trade

SUMMARY

The European Union (EU) has agreed to support a user-friendly global information management system on illicit small arms, light and other illicit conventional weapons and ammunition to reduce the risk of their illicit trade. The system is called iTrace. The project has been allocated EUR 2.32 million from the EU’s budget.

There is danger that the illicit manufacture, transfer and circulation of small arms and light weapons (SALWs) will contribute to a worsening of terrorism and organised crime and could be a major factor in triggering and spreading conflicts. An EU strategy paper agreed on in 2006 says that these conflicts, in which SALW were by far the most instrumental factors, have, since 1990, cost the lives of almost four million people and have forced over 18 million to leave their homes or countries.

Publicly accessible online system

The project will set up a publicly accessible online system that will track illicit SALWs and other illicit conventional weapons and ammunition, plotting specific weapon types, suppliers, transfer routes and illegal recipients.

This will enable national governments to systematically monitor the trafficking of SALWs and of other conventional weapons and ammunition.

Input for policymakers

One of its main aims is also to provide conventional arms control policymakers and experts with input so that they can define more effective strategies and priority areas to deal with this problem. For example, that may be by identifying opportunities for regional cooperation, identifying insecure national stockpiles of SALWs or identifying illegal transfer routes.

Last updated: 11.06.2014