Version 2: 2 December 2020 SALW POA FOOD FOR THOUGHT: HOW MIGHT THE OEWG BORROW FROM/MODIFY/IMPROVE ON THE SALW POA WHEN ESTABLISHING A NEW CYBER MECHANISM 2. SALW Meeting Structure The 2001 UNGA Resolution establishing the PoA called on States to convene a review conference every 6 years and to convene biennial meetings of States. Review conferences are convened every 6 years (to date in (2006, 2012 and 2018). These conferences review national, regional and global implementation of the POA, and, when appropriate, update the POA and political declaration. Biennial meetings of experts are convened every 2 years, between Review Conferences. i Biennial meetings generally review implementation progress and consider, in depth, particular issues under the POA and challenges to implementation. The first biennial meeting was held in 2003, the next is scheduled for 2022. In addition to the Biennial Meetings, the SALW POA also convened various meetings of Government Experts (which lead to the adoption of the International SALW Tracing Instrument)ii: - A Group of Governmental Experts, appointed by the Secretary-General on the basis of equitable geographical representation, established pursuant to A/Res/60/81, to consider further steps to enhance international cooperation in preventing, combating and eradicating illicit brokering in small arms and light weapons - MGE1: An Open-ended Meeting of Governmental Experts on the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, established pursuant to resolution A/Res/63/72. - MGE2: A Second Open-ended Meeting of Governmental Experts on the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, established pursuant to resolution A/Res/69/51. 3. SALW NGO/Industry participation All Member States, as well as accredited UN entities and NGOs, can attend Review Conferences and Biennial meetings. The 2001 Conference Rules of Procedure (A/CONF.192/L.1) provide for representatives from NGOs: - With consultative status with ECOSOC - Other interested NGOs for consideration on a no-objection basis. Representatives of accredited non-governmental organizations are allowed to address the Conference during one meeting specifically allocated for this purpose, which does not coincide with other meetings of the Conference. The Cyber POA could comprise Review Conferences and Technical Meetings. Given the speed at which ICTs develop, we may decide to convene Cyber POA meetings with higher frequency than SALW POA meetings. For example, Cyber POA Review Conferences could be held every 3-4 years, and Technical Meetings could be held annually. Review Conferences could review national, regional and global implementation of the POA, and, when appropriate, update the POA and/or political declaration (see also #6 below). Given the unique attributes of ICTs, Review Conferences could consider if additional norms should be developed over time on a consensus basis. Technical Meetings could review implementation progress and consider, in depth, particular issues under the POA and challenges to implementation. Review Conferences and/or Technical Meetings could decide to refer particularly challenging issues to smaller sub-groups for further study. The Cyber POA could include an “multi-stakeholder track”; for example, hold meetings, open to all, the day before each Technical Meeting and each Review Conference, for open discussion between States and the multi-stakeholder community (including industry, civil society, and academia). These meetings could be modelled upon this OEWG’s consultative meeting with industry and civil society held in December 2019. The multi-stakeholder community should be consulted on design of this element.