A/RES/57/81 proliferation and illicit transfer of small arms and light weapons play in the context of the build-up and sustaining of conflicts and proposes certain measures relating to those weapons that can help to prevent such conflicts, Taking note of the statement by the President of the Security Council of 31 August 2001 2 underlining the importance of practical disarmament measures in the context of armed conflicts, and, with regard to disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes, emphasizing the importance of measures to be taken to contain the security risks stemming from the use of illicit small arms and light weapons, Also taking note of the report of the Secretary-General prepared with the assistance of the Group of Governmental Experts on Small Arms, 3 and in particular the recommendations contained therein, as an important contribution to the consolidation of the peace process through practical disarmament measures, Taking into account the deliberations at the 2001 substantive session of the Disarmament Commission in Working Group II on agenda item 5, entitled “Practical confidence-building measures in the field of conventional arms”, 4 and encouraging the Disarmament Commission to continue its efforts aimed at the identification of such measures, Welcoming the Programme of Action adopted by the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, 5 which should be implemented expeditiously, 1. Stresses, in the context of the present resolution, the particular relevance of the “Guidelines on conventional arms control/limitation and disarmament, with particular emphasis on consolidation of peace in the context of General Assembly resolution 51/45 N”, 6 adopted by the Disarmament Commission by consensus at its 1999 substantive session; 2. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures, submitted pursuant to resolution 51/45 N, 7 and once again encourages Member States, as well as regional arrangements and agencies, to lend their support to the implementation of recommendations contained therein; 3. Welcomes the activities undertaken by the group of interested States that was formed in New York in March 1998, and invites the group to continue to analyse lessons learned from previous disarmament and peace-building projects, as well as to promote new practical disarmament measures to consolidate peace, especially as undertaken or designed by affected States themselves; 4. Encourages Member States, including the group of interested States, to lend their support to the Secretary-General, relevant international, regional and subregional organizations, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the _______________ 2 S/PRST/2001/21. A/54/258. 4 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-sixth Session, Supplement No. 42 (A/56/42). 5 See Report of the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, New York, 9–20 July 2001 (A/CONF.192/15), para. 24. 6 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-fourth Session, Supplement No. 42 (A/54/42), annex III. 7 A/52/289. 3 2