By Sadiya Hamza
United Nation Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has said the UN will continue to work in partnership with States, Regional Organisations and Civil Society.
Ban, in his message to mark the entry into force of the ATT, said the multi-donor UN Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation in Arms Regulation (UNSCAR) has proven to be an effective tool to that end.
The News agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) will enter into force on Wednesday in New York.
He said it would ensure all States Parties to fully comply with the provisions of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).
“ It is also critical that we continue to promote universal participation in the ATT, by encouraging all States, particularly major arms exporters and importers, to join the Treaty.
“ With this in mind, I call on those States who have not yet done so, to accede to it without delay.
“This Day marks the opening of a new chapter in our collective efforts to bring responsibility, accountability and transparency to the global arms trade.
“From now on, the States Parties to this important Treaty will have a legal obligation to apply the highest common standards to their international transfers of weapons and ammunition,”he said.
Ban said he was encouraged by the multitude of initiatives and activities that have already been undertaken by various entities to assist in the implementation of the ATT.
NAN recalls that the ATT is a multilateral treaty which regulates the international trade in conventional weapons.
The treaty has been signed by 128 states and has been ratified by 60.
It will enter into force on Dec. 24, having been ratified or acceded to by the requisite 50 states. (NAN)
