The concept of Practical Disarmament was first used in 1995 in the UN’s “Supplement to an Agenda for Peace”, reinforcing arms reduction efforts in response to the new phenomena of small arms possession by non-state actors. It reflected the need to target this new group with practical measures different from the regulations and sanctions for nation-states.
The concept was endorsed by UN member countries that experienced negative effects of the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons
(SALWs) particularly after civil wars and other forms of armed conflicts. Practical Disarmament measures were envisioned as a concept and framework that would not only comprehensively address the issue of illicit (SALWs) in post-conflict settings, but also create conditions for achievement of sustainable peace and development.
