The action plan that emerged from the UN conference on illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons has strengthened export controls, embargo enforcement, arms brokering enforcement, and assistance to affected regions, says a State Department negotiator.

A UN conference of more than 170 nations July 21 agreed on a program of action to begin combating the illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons.

The program, which is non-binding, provides a broad outline of how nations can curb the accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons in many regions of the world, especially those ravaged by civil and regional conflicts. It encourages nations to ensure that manufacturers use markings on such weapons so that illicitly trafficked weapons can be traced; sets up procedures to monitor legal sales, transfer, and stockpiling; and urges governments to make the illegal manufacture, possession and trade of such weapons a criminal offense. Complete text