A/RES/53/77 Page 3 5. Decides to consider the question of the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia at its fifty-fourth session under the agenda item entitled “General and complete disarmament”. 79th plenary meeting 4 December 1998 B ASSISTANCE TO STATES FOR CURBING THE ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN SMALL ARMS AND COLLECTING THEM The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 46/36 H of 6 December 1991, 47/52 G and J of 9 December 1992, 48/75 H and J of 16 December 1993, 49/75 G of 15 December 1994, 50/70 H of 12 December 1995, 51/45 L of 10 December 1996 and 52/38 C of 9 December 1997, Considering that the illicit circulation of massive quantities of small arms throughout the world impedes development and is a source of increased insecurity, Considering also that the illicit international transfer of small arms and their accumulation in many countries constitute a threat to their populations and to national and regional security and are a factor contributing to the destabilization of States, Basing itself on the statement of the Secretary-General relating to the request of Mali for United Nations assistance for the collection of small arms, Gravely concerned at the extent of the insecurity and banditry linked to the illicit circulation of small arms in Mali and the other affected States of the Saharo-Sahelian subregion, Taking note of the first conclusions of the United Nations advisory missions sent to the affected countries of the subregion by the Secretary-General to study the best way of curbing the illicit circulation of small arms and ensuring their collection, Taking note also of the interest shown by the other States of the region in receiving a United Nations advisory mission, Noting the actions taken and those recommended at the meetings of the States of the subregion held at Banjul, Algiers, Bamako, Yamoussoukro and Niamey to establish close regional cooperation with a view to strengthening security, /...