KAMPALA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- An African Union (AU) meeting on the voluntary surrender of illicit arms opened Thursday in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, as experts and government officials seek ways to curb the proliferation of small and light weapons across the continent.

The two-day forum, marking the ninth Africa Amnesty Month and held under the theme "Safer Communities through Voluntary Disarmament," aims to promote peace and security throughout Africa.

Ugandan First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, who officiated at the launch, urged AU members to strengthen cooperation in enforcing national laws and international agreements in support of the continental bloc's goal of "Silencing the Guns" by 2030.

"This event underscores a vital commitment to fostering peace, security, and stability across Africa. It's significant to foster safer communities," Kadaga said.

Organized under the AU Peace and Security Council, the meeting brings together representatives of the AU, the East African Community, the United Nations, civil society, youth, women's groups, the media, and other stakeholders to advance the continental agenda of ending armed violence.

The AU declared September each year as Africa Amnesty Month in 2017, encouraging civilians to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms without facing prosecution. This initiative has since been extended to 2030.

As part of this year's events, a symbolic destruction of collected illicit and obsolete firearms will be held in the eastern Ugandan city of Jinja on Friday. ■