From June 1–5, 2026, governments, international organizations, and civil society representatives gathered at United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York for the Ninth Biennial Meeting of States (BMS9) to review implementation of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (UN PoA) and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI).
As the principal global forum for advancing international cooperation on preventing and combating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, BMS9 offered an important opportunity to take stock of progress, consider emerging challenges, and shape priorities for the years ahead.
Throughout the week, the Gender Equality Network for Small Arms Control (GENSAC) was proud to contribute to these discussions by sharing research with concrete recommendations, amplifying the lifesaving work and lived experiences of our global and grassroots membership, and engaging with Member States and partner organizations to promote peace through gender-responsive approaches to small arms control.
GENSAC’s contributions at BMS9
In the lead-up to the meeting, GENSAC published a new working paper exploring opportunities to strengthen gender-responsive implementation of the UN PoA while responding to technological developments in small arms control. The publication offers practical recommendations for Member States on integrating gender perspectives into national implementation, improving data collection, strengthening participation, and ensuring that technological innovation is addressed through inclusive policymaking.
During BMS9, GENSAC also:
- Supported the coordination of a joint statement on gender, delivered on behalf of 58 countries;
- Delivered a GENSAC civil society statement during the NGO session, highlighting priorities identified by members across our global network such as gender mainstreaming, and women’s full, equal, meaningful, and effective participation;
- Met with government representatives, UN officials, and partner organizations to discuss opportunities for advancing gender-responsive implementation of the Programme of Action.
These activities were made possible through the expertise and engagement of GENSAC members worldwide whose experiences continue to inform our advocacy and research. In addition to highlighting the insights of global members who shared their perspectives with us in advance of BMS9, we were pleased to count on the direct participation of members present at the conference from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Trinidad and Tobago.
A meeting that reflected both progress and political challenges
BMS9 took place against a changing multilateral landscape. While recognition of the differentiated impacts of illicit small arms proliferation has steadily grown within the UN PoA process over the past decade, dynamics over the course of the meeting and in the lead-up to it demonstrated that the environment is challenging as gender-responsive approaches continue to face political resistance from a small number of States.
This dynamic became particularly evident during the final plenary. A group of Member States invoked Rule 40 of the Rules of Procedure, requesting that specific parts of the draft outcome document—including provisions relating to gender—be voted on separately. The motion for division was rejected by a recorded vote of 94 against, 3 in favor, with 24 abstentions. The Meeting then proceeded to adopt the outcome document as a whole by a recorded vote of 128 in favor, 1 against, with 1 abstention.
The proceedings underscored both the challenges and the resilience of the normative framework that has developed around gender-responsive small arms control. While a small number of delegations sought to reopen previously agreed language, the overwhelming majority of Member States supported retaining the integrity of the outcome document.
Following the adoption, several delegations placed explanations of vote and reservations on the record, including with respect to references relating to gender. These statements reflected broader political debates currently unfolding across a range of multilateral disarmament and security processes.
Importantly, the final outcome document not only retained some previous commitments but also reaffirmed several key principles that have become central to gender-responsive implementation of the PoA.
First, States “reaffirmed their commitment to prevent and reduce the human suffering caused by the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects and to address the differential impact of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons on women, men, girls and boys” (para. 4). This recognition reinforces the understanding that the consequences of illicit small arms proliferation are not experienced uniformly and that effective responses must take these differing impacts into account.
Building on this foundation, States recognized “the importance of assessing and addressing the gendered impacts of illicit small arms and light weapons on women, men, girls and boys, including conflict-related sexual violence, and of mainstreaming a gender perspective into policies and programmes on small arms and light weapons” (para. 12). Notably, this language explicitly links gender-responsive implementation not only to understanding differentiated impacts, but also to incorporating gender perspectives throughout small arms policies and programmes.
The outcome document also reaffirmed the central role of women’s participation, with States recognizing “the need to promote the full, equal, meaningful and effective participation of women in decision-making and implementation processes relating to the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument at all levels, including in leadership roles and as agents of change” (para. 13). This reflects a continued shift away from viewing women solely as beneficiaries of small arms control efforts and towards recognizing their role as leaders and partners in implementation.
Finally, the outcome document strengthened the emphasis on evidence-based implementation by encouraging States to take account of the differential impacts of diversion “including, where feasible and safe to do so, by collecting data disaggregated by sex, age and disability and other characteristics relevant in national contexts and utilizing analysis mechanisms to inform evidence-based gender-responsive policymaking and programming with a view to strengthening the full and effective implementation of the Programme of Action at all levels” (para. 50). This provision underscores that better data and analysis are not ends in themselves, but tools for developing more effective and responsive national policies.
Together, these provisions reinforce that gender-responsive small arms control is not a standalone objective, but an integral component of effective implementation of the PoA.
Responding to evolving challenges
Alongside discussions on implementation, BMS9 devoted significant attention to the implications of technological developments for small arms control.
Building on the work of the Open-ended Technical Expert Group (OETEG) established following the Fourth Review Conference, Member States discussed issues such as polymer-frame firearms, modular weapons, advances in manufacturing technologies, and the challenges these developments present for marking, tracing, and preventing diversion. The Meeting also agreed to continue technical discussions through a renewed OETEG in advance of the next Review Conference, ensuring that States can continue to exchange expertise and develop practical recommendations as technologies evolve.
Importantly, the Summary of the Chair of the First Meeting of the OETEG also signaled an increasingly holistic approach to these discussions. Looking ahead, the Chair committed to strengthening engagement with a broader range of stakeholders—including the arms and additive manufacturing industries, technology companies, shipping couriers, and online platforms—to better understand the evolving technological landscape. The Summary further notes that several States emphasized the importance of maintaining inclusive participation and mainstreaming a gender perspective throughout the OETEG’s work. This would help ensure that the Group fully understands how technological developments, including 3D printing, influence patterns of misuse and diversion, and how their impacts may differ for women, men, girls, and boys.
For GENSAC, these developments reinforce an important message: responses to emerging technologies should not be viewed solely as technical exercises. Understanding who is affected by these technologies, how risks are experienced across different communities, and ensuring that diverse perspectives inform policy development are essential components of effective and sustainable small arms control. It is encouraging to see these considerations beginning to shape the future direction of the OETEG’s work.
Looking ahead
While BMS9 concluded another cycle of the PoA process, implementation now moves back to the national and regional levels.
The discussions throughout the week highlighted that advancing gender-responsive small arms control requires more than agreed language in international outcome documents. It depends on sustained political commitment, meaningful participation by civil society, stronger national implementation, improved evidence and data collection, and continued collaboration between governments and practitioners.
For GENSAC, the work continues. Over the coming months, we will build on the momentum from BMS9 through continued research, policy engagement, and support to our members as they advance gender-responsive approaches to small arms control in their own contexts. We also look forward to continuing these conversations at the Twelfth Conference of States Parties (CSP12) to the Arms Trade Treaty this August and in future international policy processes.
We extend our sincere thanks to all GENSAC members who contributed their expertise before, during, and after BMS9. Your work continues to strengthen international efforts to build more effective, inclusive, and sustainable approaches to small arms control.
Related Resources
- Bridging Gaps in the UN PoA: Strengthening Gender-Responsive Approaches
- Working Paper submitted to BMS9 by GENSAC, the Small Arms Survey, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Mexico, Norway, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
- GENSAC Civil Society Statement at BMS9
- Joint Statement on gender held by Belgium on behalf of 58 countries
- BMS9 Final Report