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Speech for RC Hanaa Singher-Hamdy for the opening of the Regional preparatory meeting for the Fourth Review Conference on the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons In Marriott Kathmandu on 23 January 2024

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal - Mr. N.P. Saud Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations, Her Excellency Ambassador, Ms. Maritza Chan-Valverde Remarks by Ms. Joëlle Hivonnet, Minister Counsellor, Deputy Head of the European Delegation to Nepal Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates

It is truly an honor and a pleasure to stand before you today as we convene for the Regional Preparatory Meeting leading up to the Fourth Review Conference on the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons. I extend my warmest welcome to all participants, and I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the government of Nepal for co-hosting this crucial meeting in collaboration with the (UNRCPD).

I'm honored to welcome Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, our distinguished UnderSecretary-General for Disarmament Affairs, bringing extensive UN experience, from Director of Peacekeeping in Asia and Middle East to Special Advisor on refugee and migrant issues, offering invaluable insights on small arms and light weapons. Additionally, we welcome Ms. Maritza Chan Valverde, the Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the UN, whose diverse diplomatic career reflects her commitment to international cooperation as the first Costa Rican woman Ambassador since 1945.

In a world marked by armed conflicts and heightened tensions, we find ourselves facing unprecedented challenges. Yet, amidst these difficulties, the champions of cooperation and multilateralism gathered in this room, and foremost among them, Nepal, give us hope to reverse the prevailing trends. As the birthplace of Lord Buddha, we are currently in the country of spirituality and serenity, and as a prominent advocate for peace and dialogue in the region. This regional meeting, following the visit of the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, underscores Nepal's pivotal role in promoting peace and disarmament in the Asia-Pacific region.

Let me take this opportunity to commend the UNRCPD for its remarkable efforts in bringing together delegates from 23 countries across the Asia-Pacific region to this historic city of Kathmandu.

The Asia-Pacific region, like others, faces threats from small arms and light weapons, evident in situations such as Afghanistan and Myanmar. This proliferation contributes to armed violence, illicit arms trafficking, displacement, and statelessness, with severe humanitarian and socioeconomic consequences, undermining international laws and the rule of law.

In the recent Small Arms and Light Weapons report, the Secretary-General emphasized the ongoing global challenges posed by the misuse and illicit transfer of these weapons, jeopardizing peace and security. The escalation of armed conflicts has resulted in a tragic surge in civilian casualties, with a 53% increase in deaths from 2021 to 2022. It is imperative that we unite to stop innocent civilians from bearing the brunt of armed conflicts.

The Secretary-General highlighted a concerning record high in global military expenditures, reaching $2.24 trillion in 2022. In addressing this, both legal and political instruments, like the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons and its International Tracing Instrument (ITI), are essential frameworks to promote peace, security, socioeconomic development, and the protection of fundamental human rights.

Since the adoption of the Programme of Action in 2001, there has been a growing alignment among global agendas on sustainable development, gender equality, arms control, and disarmament.

While these frameworks guide us towards collective peace, stability, equality, prosperity, and security, their implementation has faced challenges due to capacity and resource issues. Achieving these goals requires collaborative efforts at national, regional, and global levels, making this regional meeting crucial.

As the Resident Coordinator in Nepal, I pledge my full support to the government in implementing the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons. I am committed to guiding the UN to support the government in establishing synergies between the PoA and other crucial agendas, including Women, Peace, and Security, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Before I finish, I would like to leave you 3 actions to keep in mind as you go into the sessions in the next three days:

1. Collaborative efforts between small arms control and sustainable development communities are vital for interventions fostering sustainable peace and development.

2. Embrace a holistic approach across sustainable development, gender equality, and arms control agendas, extending synergies to reporting mechanisms.

3. Your active participation in this regional meeting will shape global discussions in New York during the Fourth Review Conference. Share experiences and insights to contribute to replicable models for global peace and security.

I would like to extend my gratitude to each of you for your commitment to this important cause. Let us work together to forge a path towards lasting peace, security, and development for the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Thank you.

23 January 2024