Mozambique: Opposition calls for capital to shut down over election results
Izumi Nakamitsu, the U.N. high representative for disarmament affairs.
Mozambique became the 100th country to ratify the Arms Trade Treaty at a special signing ceremony held at U.N. headquarters on Friday, with diplomats, officials and members of the disarmament community in attendance.
“At a time when we are witnessing growing signs of tension in the international security environment and the global arms trade is flourishing…the ATT’s relevance becomes even more critical,” said Izumi Nakamitsu, the U.N. high representative for disarmament affairs.
The landmark treaty entered into force in December 2014 with the aim of reining in the illegal arms trade and preventing weapons from falling into the wrong hands, such as terrorist groups.
It has been hailed as the first global agreement to regulate the estimated annual total of $85 million in arms and ammunition trading around the world.
Japan signed the treaty on June 3, 2013, the first day it was opened for signature, and completed its ratification on May 9, 2014.
The 100th ratification comes against a backdrop of humanitarian crisis in Yemen as weapons flood into the country and large numbers of civilians remain caught between fighting forces.
Thirty percent of the global trade in weapons continues to be exported to the Middle East, according to data compiled by Control Arms.
“I welcome the 100 governments that have joined the Arms Trade Treaty in an effort to reduce the suffering caused by the poorly regulated arms trade,” said Michael Douglas, a Hollywood actor and U.N. Messenger for Peace who has been outspoken about disarmament issues, in a statement.
“This is an important achievement considering the current global security context.”
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