Guns Hold Up Development (Long Version)

Five years after the adoption of the UN Programme of Action to address the illicit trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons, representatives from governments, international and regional organizations, and civil society will meet at UN Headquarters in New York from 26 June to 7 July 2006 to review the efforts and progress made at all levels; to address future international cooperation and assistance issues; and to assess challenges on the road ahead. Illicit guns kill about half a million people worldwide every year. The European Union is working to reduce the devastating impact of illicit small arms in developing countries. On a continent where poverty reduction is a matter of life and death - progress must not be undermined by illicit guns.