PROGRESS MADE: SUBSTANCE

The Review Conference outcome comprises two documents. The first—the PoA outcome—focuses on the Programme of Action but also includes provisions that apply to the ITI, such as those relating to international cooperation and assistance or to future UN meetings. The second document focuses exclusively on the ITI. The next sections analyse the contents of these documents, beginning with the three sections of the PoA outcome.

The 2012 Declaration

The 2012 Declaration (UNGA, 2012l, s. I) acts as the springboard for the other components of the Review Conference outcome. With greater specificity than anywhere else in the outcome, it notes several areas where ‘progress […] has been made in implementing’ the PoA and ITI (paras. I.7–8). At the same time, however, the Declaration emphasizes ‘that implementation remains uneven’, while illicit small arms continue to threaten individuals and societies around the world (paras. I.4–5, I.9). As a result, states ‘reaffirm [their] support and commitment to implement all the provisions’ of the PoA and ITI, both by following up on previous PoA meetings and through ‘the further strengthening and development of norms and measures at the national, regional and global levels’ (paras. I.1, I.10–11). The core objective of the Declaration, and of the Review Conference outcome, is ‘to achieve clear and tangible results over the next six years that will improve the security, safety and livelihoods of our people’ (para. I.18).