We are pleased to have been the first country to ratify an Additional Protocol, and urge all states yet to sign and ratify an Additional Protocol to do so as quickly as possible. Australia is deeply concerned that more countries are acquiring ballistic missile technology, and that ballistic missile programs in some of these countries are increasing in sophistication and effectiveness. Australia firmly supports efforts to combat missile proliferation, including through the imposition of national export controls and, where appropriate, the negotiation of bilateral agreements. Multilateral efforts to develop international norms against missile proliferation could also have value in building confidence and in supplementing non-proliferation objectives. It is also worth noting the connection between missile proliferation and interest in the development of missile defence systems.
Missile defence is a direct response to the ever-increasing threat posed by missile proliferation.
Small arms currently cause more injuries and deaths than any other category of weapon, and the conflicts they fuel cost economies and societies dearly. The easy availability of small arms contributes to political instability, as recent events in the South Pacific, a region of key importance to Australia, testify. Australia is particularly pleased to see the advent of a number of regional programs to promote practical solutions in areas like demobilisation, post-conflict reconstruction, and stockpile destruction and management. These regional programs will have the greatest impact on reducing the devastating impact of small arms on civilian communities in situations of risk. While such programs have been prevalent in Africa, Europe and the Americas, the Asia-Pacific region is also addressing small arms issues in a constructive way.