The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security has released the August 2017 version of Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace and Security for the UN Security Council.

July 9th was the International Gun Destruction Day – a UN campaign held every year to reflect on the effects of small arms, and to call for surpluses to be destroyed responsily rather than stockpiled. Defend International members and its partners have urged government officials to destroy their surplus weapons and ammunition stocks.

Over 120 UN Member States adopted a historic treaty banning nuclear weapons. “History was made today,” said DI President as she praised the States and NGOs for reaching the agreement that prohibits some of the most indiscriminately inhumane weapons ever invented.

This year’s Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence will take place from June 5th to 12th. We ask our members to (1) express their concern about gun violence in order to stimulate discussion of national positions on key issues as States prepare for RevCon3, and to (2) call their relevant government officials to provide greater control of small arms and take serious steps to end illicit trade in conventional weapons.