The United Nations Coordinating Action on Small Arms (CASA) mechanism strives to improve the UN’s ability to work as one in delivering effective policy, programming and advice to Member States on curbing the uncontrolled proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons.  Established by the Secretary-General in 1998 with the task of coordinating the small arms work of the UN system, CASA today unites more than 20 UN bodies active in policy development and/or programming related to small arms and light weapons. 

In July 2008, CASA launched an ambitious initiative to develop a set of International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS) along the lines of the standards the UN has already developed in the areas of mine action (International Mine Action Standards) and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants (Integrated DDR Standards). 

The purpose of ISACS is to enhance the effectiveness of policymaking and programming across the UN system by providing clear and comprehensive guidance to practitioners and policymakers on a wide range of small arms and light weapons control issues.

ISACS are framed by existing global agreements on small arms and light weapons control; build upon regional and sub-regional initiatives to develop best practice guidelines, codes of conduct, model regulations, etc. and seek to cover the fundamental aspects of the issue on which the United Nations may be called upon to provide advice and guidance.