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Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (WRA)

Date: 01/20/2009 Description: Blue envelope icon, used for email subscriptions. State Dept Photo

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Logo: Office of Weapons Removal and AbatementThe Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA) creates local, regional and international conditions conducive to peace, stability and prosperity by curbing the illicit proliferation of conventional weapons of war such as light automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades, and removing and destroying others, such as persistent landmines and abandoned stocks of munitions, that remain and pose hazards after the cessation of armed conflict.

The Office develops, implements and monitors policy, programs and public engagement efforts that contribute to the prevention and mitigation of conflict, as well as post-conflict social and economic recovery. The focus is three-fold: to curb the illicit trafficking, availability and indiscriminate use of conventional weapons of war that fuel regional and internal instability; to pursue and help manage post-conflict cleanup of such weapons in areas needed for civilian use; and to engage civil society to broaden support for our efforts and enhance U.S. influence.

The Office furthers U.S. foreign policy goals through the development and implementation of comprehensive solutions to the security challenges and harmful humanitarian effects caused by the illicit proliferation of conventional weapons of war, and the existence of public hazards from such weapons following cessation of armed conflict. Conventional weapons and munitions addressed by the Office include but are not limited to landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), abandoned ordnance (AO), man portable air defense systems (MANPADS) and other small arms and light weapons (SA/LW). The office strives to limit the access of terrorist or criminal groups to such weapons and munitions. At the same time, by addressing acute humanitarian needs, this office demonstrates the United States commitment to a set of values that respects human life. The Office works closely with other U.S. Government agencies as well as non-governmental organizations, international organizations and private enterprises. Innovation, strategic vision, responsible stewardship and cooperative team effort are all qualities that are encouraged by this office.

The Office incorporates the functions and responsibilities of the Bureau's former Office of Humanitarian Demining Programs (PM/HDP), to include management of the multi-agency U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program, the former Office of Mine Action Initiatives and Partnerships (PM/MAIP), to include encouraging public-private partnerships to reinforce the gamut of threats addressed by the Office, and the small arms/light weapons and MANPADS duties of the Bureau's Office of Plans, Policy, and Analysis (PM/PPA).

For more information, please telephone (202) 663-0100.

Protecting Civil Aviation from MANPADS Attacks: New Milestone Reached
Date: 06/01/2009 Description: A foreign affairs officer in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs displays a foreign Man-Portable Air Defense System missile in its tube that has been prepared carefully for destruction--one of the 30,000 MANPADS that the U.S. has helped other countries destroy since 2003.  © Photo by Dave Diaz, Office of Weapons Removal and AbatementThe United States in close cooperation with 29 countries has destroyed over 30,000 foreign, at-risk Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) since 2003. Full Text

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The State Department salutes Spirit of Soccer on receiving the Most Courageous Use of Sport Award from Beyond Sport, a non-governmental organization that seeks to celebrate and support positive change through sport. Full Text

United States Marks International Small Arms Destruction Day
The United States is pleased to join in observing International Small Arms Destruction Day, initiated by the United Nations in 2001, as part of the United States’ ongoing efforts to reduce armed violence and support the rule of law around the world. Full Text

 2009 To Walk The Earth In Safety
Date: 07/07/2009 Description: 2009 To Walk The Earth In Safety Report © State Dept ImageWelcome to the 8th edition of To Walk The Earth In Safety. Although we have seen real progress in combating the threat of mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), conflicts persist, and the destabilizing effects of other weapons threaten peace and stability around the world. Report | Media Note