On 4 September, Tuvalu became the 73rd State Party to the Arms Trade Treaty and is the first State to ratify the Treaty following the first Conference of State Parties that took place on 24-27 August. Tuvalu has long been an active ATT supporter, being one of the first States to vote for the adoption of the treaty and signed on day it opened for signature in 2013.
The ratification of Tuvalu helps further the goal of universalization of the treaty and increases the number of States Parties from the Asia-Pacific region. Their ratification also comes on the heels of a successful workshop convened by the Melanesian Spearhead Group and the Pacific Small Arms Action Group (PSAAG) in Port Vila, Vanuatu on 1-2 September. Last month, PSAAG published a new implementation guide for Pacific countries which joins other resources such as model legislation developed by New Zealand, that focus on assisting smaller countries to join and implement the Treaty.
Following the first Conference of States Parties, Control Arms urges other states to build on the current momentum and join to the ATT, particularly during the upcoming opening of the General Assembly in New York.
