Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Members of Delegations,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a privilege to address this assembly as we celebrate the 10th anniversary since the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty. The ATT is an historic achievement, as the first legally binding instrument regulating the international trade in conventional arms. Among other objectives, it includes the duty of all States to protect civilians, particularly women and children, from the devastating impacts of unregulated arms transfers. A goal more important than ever as the world is facing now complex challenges.
The geopolitical environment is marked by distrust and disrespect for the international rules-based order, leading to the escalation of regional conflicts and a new arms race. These challenges call for a renewed commitment by all States Parties in order for the Treaty to fulfill its purpose and have a meaningful impact on international security. This purpose is more pertinent than ever: reduce human suffering and contribute to international and regional peace, security, and stability.
In this vein, the 10th Anniversary is a turning point in the work of the ATT. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all States, organizations, and individuals who have committed to upholding and advancing the principles of this landmark treaty in the last decade. However, much work remains to be done. The prevention of illicit flow of arms and countering their diversion can only be achieved through effective cooperation and coordination by the international community. We must ensure that we have sustainable, preventative strategies in place in that regard.
Building upon our achievements so far, we need to focus our efforts on sustained cooperation between all actors for universalization and the effective and full implementation of the ATT. The priorities of the Romanian Presidency addressed two main areas.
Firstly, a new pragmatic and structured strategy for our universalization efforts is paramount for ensuring a consistent and comprehensive global approach to regulating the international trade of conventional arms. We warmly salute Gambia and Malawi, for their recent accession to the Treaty, thus enlarging the ATT family to 115 States Parties. Treaty universalization remains a common and reachable goal and we should continue to work together tirelessly to achieve it.
Secondly, a renewed focus within the ATT community on the practical aspects of Treaty implementation, by addressing actual challenges faced by States and sharing national practices and experiences. We must continue to strengthen our implementation mechanisms and support capacity-building efforts, especially for those regions most affected by armed conflict.It is in line with this new approach in the work of the ATT that the Romanian Presidency led a thematic discussion on the cross-cutting topic of The Role of Interagency Cooperation for Effective Implementation of the ATT Provisions.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As this conference marks the end of the Romanian presidency, we reaffirm our commitment to international efforts to regulate the global trade in conventional arms and promote peace and security. We believe that by working together, in the spirit of trust and cooperation, we can achieve a safer and more secure world for future generations.
