United Nations A/RES/57/81 General Assembly Distr.: General 9 January 2003 Fifty-seventh session Agenda item 66 (q) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly [on the report of the First Committee (A/57/510)] 57/81. Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 51/45 N of 10 December 1996, 52/38 G of 9 December 1997, 53/77 M of 4 December 1998, 54/54 H of 1 December 1999, 55/33 G of 20 November 2000 and 56/24 P of 29 November 2001, Convinced that a comprehensive and integrated approach towards certain practical disarmament measures often is a prerequisite to maintaining and consolidating peace and security and thus provides a basis for effective post-conflict peace-building, namely the rehabilitation and social and economic development in areas that have suffered from conflict; such measures are, inter alia, collection and responsible disposal, preferably through destruction, of weapons obtained through illicit trafficking or illicit manufacture as well as of weapons and ammunition declared by competent national authorities to be surplus to requirements, particularly with regard to small arms and light weapons, unless another form of disposition or use has been officially authorized and provided that such weapons have been duly marked and registered; confidence-building measures; disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants; demining; and conversion, Noting with satisfaction that the international community is more than ever aware of the importance of such practical disarmament measures, especially with regard to the growing problems arising from the excessive accumulation and uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons, which pose a threat to peace and security and reduce the prospects for economic development in many regions, particularly in post-conflict situations, Stressing that further efforts are needed in order to develop and effectively implement programmes of practical disarmament in affected areas as part of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration measures so as to complement, on a case-by-case basis, peacekeeping and peace-building efforts, Taking note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on prevention of armed conflict, 1 which, inter alia, refers to the role which the _______________ 1 02 54335 A/55/985-S/2001/574 and Corr.1.