This meeting considered and adopted the final draft decision and draft report for the UN conference on the Arms Trade Treaty. The Key points of the draft presented by the President, Peter Wolcott, outlined the following:

• It underlined the need to prevent and eradicate the illicit trade of conventional arms and to prevent their diversion to the illicit market, or for unauthorized use, including for the purpose of terrorist acts.

• Reaffirms the sovereign right of any State to regulate and control conventional arms exclusively within its territory. Acknowledging that peace and security, development and human rights are pillars of the United Nations system and foundations for collective security and recognized that development. Peace and Security and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing.

• The key purpose of this treaty is to contribute to the international and regional peace, security and stability. It aims to reduce human suffering, by promoting cooperation, transparency and responsible action by states parties in the international trade in conventional arms, thereby building confidence.

• The treaty shall apply to all conventional arms including; battle tanks, armored combat vehicles, large caliber artillery systems, combat aircrafts, warships, missiles and missile launchers, and small arms

This treaty shall take effect ninety days following the date of the deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification.

By: Bethelehem Baissa