MEXICO URGES THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO ADOPT A TREATY TO REGULATE THE GLOBAL ARMS TRADE

· Mexico called for the urgent adoption of an Arms Trade Treaty to establish clear regulations and avoid the diversion of arms to the illicit market.

· Mexico was elected as one of the conference vice presidents.

The final conference on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) began this morning in the United Nations in New York. During the opening session, Mexico was elected as one of the conference’s regional vice presidents, clear international recognition of our country’s role in the process of adopting a treaty of this nature.

During the plenary session, the Mexican delegation delivered a speech on behalf of 108 countries, calling for cooperation between States to adopt a robust treaty for regulating the international trade in conventional weapons and preventing their diversion to the illicit market. The speech stressed that the text of the treaty must be strong and clear in order to prevent the treaty from possibly legitimizing an irresponsible and illegal trade in arms. This is why agreements between countries must not lose sight of the main goal of the negotiations.

In the speech, Mexico also reiterated the importance of having clear regulations that prevent conventional arms transfers from contributing to the exacerbation of armed conflicts, the displacement of individuals, transnational organized crime and terrorism, as well as their negative impact on peace, security, stability and sustainable social and economic development.

Mexico attaches great importance to adopting a treaty with high standards and a broad scope that recognizes the shared responsibility of manufacturers, traders and end users in international transfers of conventional arms. From this point of view, Mexico will work with countries from all regions to build understanding and find common ground.

In July 2012, the UN hosted a Diplomatic Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty but was unable to adopt a treaty. However, these negotiations are the basis of the current conference. Mexico has been actively involved throughout the process, having facilitated key issues during the July conference. Mexico also served as vice president of the preparatory committee process that took place between 2010 and 2012.