We hope that this Program of Action will contain clear provisions on the need for States to promote marking and record-keeping of small arms and light weapons production and trade, in order to allow for the efficient combat the illicit trade of those weapons. With respect to the follow-up of the Conference, we favor establishing mechanisms that would allow for a dynamic, multilateral, and universal process in effectively monitoring the implementation of the measures contained in the Program of Action. Notwithstanding the diversity of perceptions and national, sub-regional, and regional specificities, there are common elements in all our countries that we should take advantage of so as guarantee the effective realization of the objectives of this Conference. The holding of this Conference is in itself an auspicious sign. The populations around the world which are threatened and victimized by crime and armed conflict fed by this villainous trade await a decided action on our part.
Global problems require global solutions.
Our cause is the protection of life, the edification of the future. Nothing can be more backward than violence and the industry of death, that prevents the exercise of citizenship and the enjoyment of the most elementary rights of the individual, the freedom to come and go, the generation of wealth, the maturation of our societies. In that spirit, and considering that the opening of the Conference today marks the beginning of a promising process, I would like to propose, based on the Brazilian recent successful experience in this area, that we renew annually our support for combat of the illicit trade in arms by celebrating every 9 th of July as small arms destruction international day. In this sense, may I declare on behalf of Brazil that everything this Conference can do, must do and cannot afford not to do to combat and eradicate the illicit circulation of small arms and light weapons will count or the decisive support of Brazil. Thank you very much.