ABSTRACT
Weapons are rarely the direct causes of conflict and violence, but their availability and use increases damages and collateral effects associated with such situations. Research on small arms and light weapons (SALW) transfers is important because it contributes to getting a clearer picture of the legal and illicit flows and exchanges worldwide, thus allowing for the elaboration of targeted measures and strategies meant to address the issue of SALW proliferation worldwide. Global policy initiatives, such as the United Nations (UN) Programme of Action (PoA) and the Arms Trade Treaty (AAT) benefit directly from knowledge and expertise provided by researchers on this specific topic and depend for the effectiveness of their processes on updated and refined information on the topic.
