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| Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York |
Arms Trade Treaty Will Generate ‘Much-Needed Momentum’ for Other Global
Disarmament, Non-proliferation Efforts, Secretary-General Says
Following is UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s statement on the adoption of the Arms
Trade Treaty (ATT) in New York on 2 April:
I wholeheartedly welcome
the adoption, today, of a first-ever Arms Trade Treaty by the General
Assembly. It is a historic diplomatic achievement — the culmination of
long-held dreams and many years of effort.
This is a victory for the
world’s people. The ATT will make it more difficult for deadly weapons
to be diverted into the illicit market, and it will help to keep
warlords, pirates, terrorists, criminals and their like from acquiring
deadly arms.
It will be a powerful new
tool in our efforts to prevent grave human rights abuses or violations
of international humanitarian law. And it will provide much-needed
momentum for other global disarmament and non-proliferation efforts.
I applaud States for their
willingness to compromise on a number of complex issues, thus making it
possible for us to have a balanced and robust Treaty text. I commend
the members of civil society for the critical role they played from the
inception of this process, through their expert contributions and
enthusiastic support.
I congratulate Ambassador
Peter Woolcott of Australia for the open and transparent manner in
which he conducted his impressive presidency of the Final Conference
that produced the text of the Treaty adopted today. I also wish to
express my sincere appreciation to Ambassador Roberto García Moritán of
Argentina, who has committed years of unwavering leadership of the ATT
process.
The adoption of this
Treaty demonstrates the great things that can be achieved when
Governments and civil society work together through the United Nations.
I call on all Governments to join forces with civil society to ensure
its full and effective implementation.
The United Nations will provide its full support as we strive to fulfil the great promise of this landmark global instrument.
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For information media • not an official record
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