The Vice President of Costa Rica, H.E. Alfio Piva has announced that he will personally sign the Arms Trade Treaty when it opens for signature on 3 June.
Costa Rica has long been a champion of a strong and robust Treaty. It is one of the co-authors of the original 2006 UNGA resolution that started the ATT process. During the negotiations, Costa Rica strongly advocated for the inclusion of a development criteria. Although development was not incorporated into the Treaty, their efforts helped to raise the profile of the relationship between armed violence and development. In addition, they have played a vital role in gaining support for the ATT among other Central American countries through both their mission in New York as well as outreach to national capitals.
“On June 3, we will gather in New York, the very city where it all began 16 years ago, to write the final chapter of this long negotiation process. With each signature added to the Arms Trade Treaty, the destiny of humankind will change forever,” stated Vice President Piva.
Control Arms congratulates Costa Rica for their leadership throughout the process as well as the strong signal of commitment that they are showing by sending their Vice President to sign the Treaty.
