Adedeji Ebo, deputy to the high representative for disarmament affairs, briefed Security Council members on small arms and light weapons, saying that while some progress has been made since the council’s last briefing two years ago, more than 1,000,000,000 firearms remain in circulation worldwide.

Ebo said the proliferation of small arms is fueling violence, terrorism and organized crime and has significant socioeconomic impacts. He urged member states to strengthen cooperation with United Nations mechanisms and to rebalance military spending toward peacebuilding and sustainable security.

The briefing did not include a new negotiated instrument or specific commitments but reiterated calls for enhanced international cooperation and prevention efforts.