Press Releases
Adoption of the Draft Resolution on Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons Submitted by Japan to the First Committee of the UN General Assembly
October 30, 2026
On October 30 (October 29, local time), the Draft Resolution “The Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects,” submitted by Japan together with Colombia and South Africa and co-sponsored by 76 countries, was adopted with the support of 178 countries in the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. The draft resolution will be considered for formal adoption at the plenary session of the General Assembly in December.
- The draft resolution underlines the importance of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (PoA) and calls all States to undertake measures for the effective implementation of the PoA.
- As part of its contributions to the international community, Japan has actively engaged in international rule-making efforts aimed at eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. Since 2001, Japan has submitted this draft resolution annually in cooperation with Colombia and South Africa.