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 6. SALW Political Declaration The Report of the Conference in 2001, adopted by consensus, included, in the POA, a declaratory preamble, followed by the Programme setting out specific actions for: - Preventing, combatting and eradicating the illicit trade in SALW at the national, regional and global levels, - Implementation international cooperation and assistance, and - A follow up mechanism. (This was adopted by UNGA: A/Res/56/24/V) The Conference of 2012 adopted its Report by consensus, including the ‘2012 Declaration – A renewed commitment to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in SALW in all its aspects’ (p6) and updated the POA. The UNGA Resolution welcoming the 2012 Report recalled “the commitment of States to the Programme of Action as the main framework for measures within the activities of the international community to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects” (A/Res/67/58). The Report of the 3rd Conference in 2018 set out the ‘2018 Declaration – A renewed commitment to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in SALW in all its aspects’ (p7) and updated the POA. (This was adopted by UNGA: A/Res/73/69). 7. SALW Reporting Mechanism Every two years, States voluntarily submit national reports on implementation of the SALW POA and the SALW International Tracing Instrument. Initially reporting was in a non-standardised format. vi In 2010, a reporting template was developed by UNDP and welcomed by UNGA (A/Res/64/50). The template closely follows the Programme of Action and its International Tracing Instrument, and recognises that not all areas may be applicable to, or a priority for, every State. Once a State has provided a full report using the template, the template will pre-populate for each country to update relevant sections every two years (see, for example, Australia’s 2020 National Report). Country profiles highlight key information included in States’ most recent national reports. The UNGA has recognised that these voluntary national reports on the implementation of the SALW POA can provide a baseline for measuring progress on its implementation, build confidence and promote transparency, provide a basis for information exchange and action, and serve to identify needs and opportunities for international assistance and cooperation, including the matching of needs with available resources and expertise. The OEWG could recommend adoption of a Political Declaration (along with establishment of the POA). Any Political Declaration should be agreed by consensus by all countries. As a starting point, the Political Declaration could reaffirm the application of international law, including the UN Charter, to state conduct in cyberspace, and reaffirm states’ commitment to act in accordance with the 11 norms of responsible state behaviour (as endorsed by consensus by all countries in A/Res/70/237). The Political Declaration could be updated following UNGA consensus endorsement of future recommendations (for example: following consensus UNGA endorsement of the forthcoming OEWG and GGE reports), or by consensus agreement at POA Review Conferences. The OEWG could recommend the Cyber POA include a request for States to submit national reports on implementation on a voluntarily basis. The OEWG could recommend the POA adopt as a standardised reporting mechanism the Survey of National implementation of UN General Assembly Resolution 70/237 (“the Survey”). The Survey could be updated when new recommendations are agreed by the POA and endorsed by UNGA by consensus. The Cyber POA may choose, at any time funding becomes available, to fund a secure online reporting portal to provide a simple way to respond to the Survey online.