A/HRC/27/51 “The global arms trade, and its accompanying glut of military spending, continues to represent the single most significant perversion of worldwide priorities known today. It buttresses wars, criminal activity and ethnic violence; destabilises emerging democracies; inflates military budgets to the detriment of health care, education and basic infrastructure; and exaggerates global relationships of inequality and underdevelopment. Without massive and coordinated action, militarism will continue to be a scourge on our hopes for a more peaceful and just 21st century.” (Oscar Arias, former President of Costa Rica and Nobel Peace Laureate.)1 I. Introduction 1. The present progress report should be read in conjunction with the Independent Expert’s previous reports to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, which are cumulatively aimed at addressing the vast scope of Council resolutions 18/6, 21/9 and 25/15, taking due account of observations and proposals made by States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, communications addressed to the mandate holder, answers to a questionnaire and interactive dialogues. Inspired by the conviction that peace is an indispensable condition for achieving a democratic and equitable international order, the present preliminary report on disarmament for development corroborates the idea that disarmament must be a priority concern of the international community. Such disarmament must include cessation of the production and stockpiling of weapons, particularly weapons of mass destruction, accompanied by a significant reduction in the arms trade. Downsizing military budgets will enable sustainable development, the eradication of extreme poverty, the tackling of global challenges including pandemics and climate change, educating and socializing youth towards peace, cooperation and international solidarity. A concerted effort at the conversion of military-first economies into human security economies will also generate employment and stability.2 II. Activities 2. In the period from 15 June 2013 to 30 June 2014, the Independent Expert undertook numerous activities in pursuance of the diverse facets of the mandate. In February 2014, he sent a questionnaire to States (see annex I), intergovernmental organizations, national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations in order to inform his thematic report to the Council. He expresses thanks for all responses. 3. He received letters and appeals from individuals and groups, which he acknowledged and considered. During the reporting period, the Independent Expert joined other mandate holders in appealing to Governments. He also issued numerous media 1 2 See “Fundación Arias para la Paz y el Progreso Humano”, available from www.un-ngls.org/spip.php?page=amdg10&id_article=2592. See also http://arcwebsite.org/pages/vj_arc_oxfam_birm_jan06.htm. Miriam Pemberton, “Demilitarizing the economy” (Institute for Policy Studies), available from www.ips-dc.org/blog/demilitarizing_the_economy_a_movement_is_underway; Replacing Defense Industry Jobs, available from http://newprioritiesnetwork.org/fact-sheet-replacing-defense-industryjobs/http://www.ips-dc.org/staff/miriam; C. N. Makupula, “Disarmament and development: a South African perspective”, in Disarmament Forum (United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), 2003). See UNCTAD, World Investment Report 2014, available from http://unctad.org/en/pages/PublicationWebflyer.aspx?publicationid=937, and commentary, available from www.rtcc.org/2014/06/24/sustainable-development-goals-face-2-5-trillion-funding-shortfall/. See also www.scidev.net/global/mdgs/feature/jeffrey-sachs-sdgs-big-science.html. 3