MEXICO WELCOMES ADOPTION OF THE ARMS TRADE TREATY

• Mexico has promoted this treaty, which will fight against the diversion of weapons to criminals and unauthorized recipients.

In a historic vote and by an overwhelming majority, the UN General Assembly adopted the Arms Trade Treaty—the first legally-binding instrument that establishes rules to regulate the global arms trade. The treaty was adopted by the General Assembly with 154 votes in favor (including Mexico), three against and 23 abstentions.

Foreign Secretary José Antonio Meade applauded today's adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty in the General Assembly, noting Mexico's leadership in promoting the treaty.

Mexico spoke on behalf of 98 countries to highlight some of the treaty’s benefits and to urge its swift entry into force.

The treaty combats the diversion of arms to transnational organized crime and unauthorized recipients and improves the exchange of information between weapons exporters and importers to prevent their misuse. The treaty also establishes common export standards to provide certainty and transparency to the international arms trade.

The treaty’s goal is to regulate the international trade of conventional weapons, including small arms and ammunition, to prevent their diversion to the illicit market or to unauthorized users and to prevent them from being used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights.

The Arms Trade Treaty will be opened for signature on June 3, 2013 by the UN Secretary General, and shall enter into force ninety days after receipt of the fiftieth instrument of ratification.