Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam calls on countriesand relevant sides to make efforts to address the illicit trade in small armsand light weapons, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Vietnam’s Permanent Representativeto the United Nations, said on October 6.

Addressing a meeting of the UN Security Council(UNSC) on small arms and light weapons and peace-keeping operations, Quy saidcountries hold the biggest responsibility in this field.

He also called for stronger regional andinternational cooperation in settling relevant issues, and suggested the UNSCbase on the latest situation in concerned countries to solve the problems.

The root cause of conflicts should be addressedfirst, he said, stressing the observance of international law, the eliminationof injustice and inequality, and the building of trust, friendship andcooperation between countries.

The ambassador reiterated countries’ legitimaterights to procuring, producing, transferring and owning small arms and lightweapons for the purposes of national defence and security.

Delegates shared the view that illicit transfer andmisuse of small arms and light weapons continue to initiate, sustain andexacerbate armed conflict and impact security, stability, and socio-economicdevelopment in many areas in the world, especially Africa.

Over the past two decades, the UNSC has adoptedresolutions with various measures to tackle issues regarding small arms andlight weapons, including Resolution 2117 (in 2013) and Resolution 2220 (in2015).

Many said the UNSC need to further integrate thefight against illegal small arms and light weapons into conflict prevention, peace-keepingoperations, post-conflict reconstruction, anti-terrorism and cross-border crimecombat.

UN peace-keeping missions should increase thecontrol and management of weapons, and support to countries in reintegrationand post-conflict reconstruction, they said. /.