Discurso do Representante Permanente, Embaixador Sérgio França Danese, em debate aberto do Conselho de Segurança das Nações Unidas sobre armas pequenas e leves - 10 de dezembro de 2025 (texto em inglês)
Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, at Security Council Open Debate on Small Arms and Light Weapons
December 10th, 2025
Mr. President,
I thank Sierra Leone for organizing this open debate, on a topic of critical importance to the whole international community and, in particular, to Latin America and the Caribbean. I also thank the briefers for their insights.
Brazil commends the Secretary-General for his comprehensive biennial report on Small Arms and Light Weapons. We share the deep concern over the continued diversion, misuse and illicit trafficking of these weapons, which remain key drivers of violence, terrorism and instability across many regions, including my own. Especially concerning is their acute and differentiated impact in the lives of women and girls, who endure not only the consequences of conflict, but also domestic and sexual violence.
Despite significant normative progress, major implementation gaps persist — particularly in the marking and tracing of small arms, light weapons and ammunition. These weaknesses allow arms to move from authorized to unauthorized users, feeding conflict dynamics and organized crime. The increasing availability of craft-produced and 3D-printed weapons further complicates tracing efforts and underscores the need for stronger international cooperation and technology-based solutions.
Brazil has been very vocal about the need to develop minimal standards of marking and tracing that would improve our general capacity to identify illicit flows and combat diversion more efficiently.
Latin America and the Caribbean are particularly affected by this problem, with violence and criminal levels directly connected to the illicit flow of weapons and their parts into the region. This is especially relevant in the case of Haiti, where the continuing flow of weapons into the hands of gangs is a key factor sustaining the violence they perpetrate and their illicit and lucrative activities.
In light of that, technical investment, international cooperation and political will are crucial to address this threat to our security.
Mr. President,
Brazil is fully committed to the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons and its International Tracing Instrument, which remain the main global framework to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in these weapons. We also highlight the adoption of the Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management, which fills a long-standing gap in the international system by promoting safe, secure and sustainable management of ammunition throughout its life cycle. Effective implementation of this framework is essential to preventing diversion.
Furthermore, the Arms Trade Treaty plays a critical role in promoting transparency and accountability in the transfer of arms. Brazil is committed to implementing this treaty's provisions to ensure that arms exports do not contribute to violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. Even countries that are not party to the ATT should adopt national controls and standards to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of unauthorized recipients. We must all be responsible and responsive as regards small arms and light weapons trade and control.
Mr. President,
The illicit circulation of small arms and light weapons undermines every pillar of the United Nations: peace and security, human rights and sustainable development. Our region, unfortunately, witnesses in its daily reality the devastating impact of diversion and illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, due to the lack of proper control, including by exporting states.
To address it, we must invest in national capacities for marking, record-keeping and tracing; improve border management; and integrate arms control into development and peacebuilding strategies.
Brazil stands ready to cooperate with all partners in advancing these objectives and promoting a safer and more peaceful world.
Thank you.