UN approves first-ever global arms trade treaty
3 April 2013 7:16 AM IST
The 193-nation UN General Assembly overwhelmingly approved on Tuesday the first-ever treaty on global arms trade that seeks to regulate the $70 billion international business in conventional arms ranging from light weapons to battle tanks and warships.
There were 154 votes in favour, 3 against and 23 abstentions.
Iran, Syria and North Korea last week prevented a treaty-drafting conference at UN headquarters from reaching the required consensus to adopt the treaty. That left delegations that support it no choice but to turn to a General Assembly vote to adopt it. The treaty will be open for signature 3 June and will enter into force 90 days after the 50th signatory ratifies it.
Major arms producers China and Russia joined Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua and other countries in abstaining. A number of countries complained that the treaty favors exporting over importing states.
The United States, the world’s No. 1 arms exporter, said last week it would vote in favour of the treaty despite opposition from the National Rifle Association. The NRA opposes the treaty and has vowed to prevent its ratification by the US Senate when it reaches Washington.
There were 154 votes in favour, 3 against and 23 abstentions.
Iran, Syria and North Korea last week prevented a treaty-drafting conference at UN headquarters from reaching the required consensus to adopt the treaty. That left delegations that support it no choice but to turn to a General Assembly vote to adopt it. The treaty will be open for signature 3 June and will enter into force 90 days after the 50th signatory ratifies it.
Major arms producers China and Russia joined Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua and other countries in abstaining. A number of countries complained that the treaty favors exporting over importing states.
The United States, the world’s No. 1 arms exporter, said last week it would vote in favour of the treaty despite opposition from the National Rifle Association. The NRA opposes the treaty and has vowed to prevent its ratification by the US Senate when it reaches Washington.
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