A step towards a safer world was taken in New York on 3 June when the UK, Sweden and 65 other states signed the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).
I worked on the ATT during my time heading the political and security team at the UK delegation in New York between 2005 and 2008. I confess that at times since, I doubted it would ever come to pass. So this was a great day.
The Treaty will enter into force when fifty states have completed and reported their ratifications. Further states will be able to join thereafter.
The original co-authors – Argentina, Australia, Costa Rica, Finland, Japan, Kenya and the UK have pledged to continue to work together leading the push for early entry into force and then effective implementation.
Our Minister said: “The Treaty is now the international blueprint for the regulation of conventional arms and it is a fresh starting point for international cooperation. We will encourage States rigorously to implement the Treaty, to be transparent in their implementation, and to go further than the minimum standards of regulation required by the Treaty.”